***
"Akala ko pa naman naka-nganga ka pagdating ko," bungad ni Sam pagpasok ng kwarto. I pretended I didn't hear her. Good thing I was wearing my earphones. Besides, hindi ko maalis ang tingin ko sa monitor.
"Sayang, dagdag sana sa koleksyon ko."
With that I slowly turned towards her direction and give her a threatening look. I knew it. Balak niya na naman akong kuhanan ng litrato habang natutulog. That's just her, taking pictures whenever she likes with or without a person knowing. Ilan na ba ang nabiktima niya sa klase namin? Well, almost all of us. Stolen shots---she's too fond of it. And the next thing we knew, naka-post na sa Facebook ang picture namin.
"Here, dinalhan kita ng paborito mo," she said while walking towards my bed with plastic bags in her hands. I smiled and reached out for one. The truth is despite that picture thingy with her, Sam is still the best friend I've ever had. She treats me like a sister and I'm loving it.
"Y-you're stalking the Book Thief?!" she beamed. Okay, Laurie called that jerk a 'Monkey' and for Sam, a 'Book Thief'. What's with those codenames?
"Uhm, yeah, kinda," I answered as I started to fished out the foods. Sure thing, I forgot to close my Facebook profile. Stalking? I wonder if it was really the right term. Well, I just want to know some details about him.
"I see, my best friend's been in-love at first sight. Congratulations, your heart finally opened up," Sam teased and poked me. Nalunok ko ng buo 'yung siomai na sinusubo ko matapos marinig ang sinabi niya.
Dear Heart, you don't fall for a jerk, do you?!
"Sam, 'wag OA, okay?" I rolled my eyes in disbelief.
"Whatever," she chuckled. "Anyway, how do you his name was, uhm, Justine Conor?"
"Laurence," I answered." He knows that jerk."
Napakunot-noo siya. "Really? How? Relative? Former classmate? Batchmate?"
And that was what I feared about: her seemingly unending questions.
"Nah, Laurie said he performed during the Band Fest last year."
"Oh, I can't remember seeing him then. After we performed umalis na kaagad ako. You know, kung hindi lang talaga dahil sa'yo, hindi ko nanaising magwala sa harap ng maraming tao. Subukan mo lang magka-sakit this time. Swear, I'll force you kahit hindi mo kaya. Understand?"
I had to laughed. Honestly, she has the voice; to think that she really did well during their performance. And I'm so proud of her. But sadly, she would rather play the guitar.
"What if I told you that I planned it?" I said seriously.
Natigil siya sa pagnguya. She was surprised by the look in her eyes. "I was just joking," bawi ko. "But seriously, I want you to sing again this time. Please?"
"Ayoko! You know how much I hate singing infront of a bunch of people." Her face saddened if I was seeing it right. I suddenly felt sorry.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."
"No, its okay!" she laughed. "It's been a long time. I know I'm just being silly."
Second year. First semester. Samantha Jade Meneses transferred to our school. She was a loner way back then and being a friendly one, I dare approached her one day. I was carrying my guitar that time. She was sitting on a bench facing the soccer field.
"Hello," I greeted her and waved my hand. She looked up at me and smiled.
"H-hi!" she stammered and waved back. I sat down beside her.
"Can I," she asked, pointing at my guitar.
"Oh, sure." I handed it to her. She then played Taylor Swift's 'If This Was A Movie'. I was indeed amazed as I watch her fingers plucking the strings.
"Wow," I muttered. "Alam mo..."
Natigil ako sa pagsasalita when I saw that familiar sadness in her eyes and then she was teary-eyed.
"O-okay ka lang?" I managed to ask. She stopped strumming.
"You know what, Margareth," she paused. "Until now I was longing for that someone to come back. And it's been for a year now. Tell me, should I really give up?"
I don't know what to say. I wanted badly to comfort her but I can't find the right words.
"S-sam, I-I..."
She let out a small laugh. "Have you been in-love?"
"Uhm, you know," I said shyly. "I had my crushes. But love? I think hindi pa naman ako umaabot sa puntong ganun. Anyway, you're asking me if you should give up?"
She nodded.
"Well, let's be friends and tell me your story." I'd realize that sometimes, you have to stay put; just listen and understand things before saying something. "And please, Meg na lang ang itawag mo sa'kin," I added.
She laughed at my enthusiasm. And then later, she began.
"Hoy, natulala ka bigla." I almost dropped my food. I didn't notice I was lost in thoughts. "'Nga pala, Fritz told me we should start practicing. I told him maybe next week."
I nodded. "Better be."
"Look," she said while pointing to the monitor. Someone messaged me. It was Laurie. I couldn't help but frown upon reading his message: 'You're stalking his profile, aren't you?'
Dear Mind, is it really that expected for you to do?
'No, I'm not!' I instantly replied.
'Yes, you are.'
I guessed there's no sense in pretending. So what if I was? Why does he has to know by the way.
'Okay, fine, I am! Gotta problem with it?'
"Uh-oh, I think he's jealous," said Sam. I laughed at the thought of it. Hindi ko namalayang tumitipa na pala ang mga daliri ko.
'Jealous huh?!' I replied with a grin on my face. I thought wala na siyang balak sumagot though there's still that green dot beside his name which means he was still online. I was just about to close the message box when he did.
'I am. But to tell you, I musn't be.' And he went offline. Good thing he does because he just made me speechless. I looked at Sam and for a few seconds we just stared at each other in silence. And then she suddenly burst out laughing.
"I told you, he likes you!" she giggled. I don't know how to react. Though I'll admit I'm feeling something but I just couldn't explain. I riveted my eyes back on the monitor and stared on his last message.
'I am. But to tell you, I musn't be.'
Dear Mind and Heart, could you explain to me what was that?
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