Chapter 3: Kevin Lavin

Chapter 3: Kevin Lavin

Three days after that incident with Rage I try to avoid him but everytime in our Math subject I can't help but to listen. When he is explaining the math solution to our classmate I listen carefully. I don't understand why he's way of explaining and he's own understanding in a math solution is really understandable rather than Mr. No.

I am sitting on the grass while reading the 'Introduction of English Language' . It's one of my majors. 

"There you are." Ali and Jen suddenly came, I looked at them both. 

"Did you guys know that the game of basketball is coming up, arat punta tayo." Ali invited us. Jen is thinking something while eating fries in her hand. 

"When?" Jen asks. 

"This saturday, so are you guys in?" I immediately look at my phone and see if I have important things to do on Saturday, but apparently nothing. So I face them again.

"I'm free too, I'm in." Ali claps her hand. When the bell rang the three of us went into our block separately. 

I realize that I'm one of the last students to enter the room, still I'm not late though. 

I sit on my seat, and place my book on my desk. I fix my things inside my bag before I look in front and watch Mr. No entering the room, geez it's math time. I almost roll my eyes when Rage enters the room too after Mr. No, we're still not good.

I'm tapping my fingers on my desk silently while Mr. No, talk about the lesson for today all I can see is letters and numbers. Bakit ba bonak ako sa math, everyone is quiet and no one dares to speak. My other hand is also playing with my pen, like I really understand the lesson that much. Ie-explain pa rin naman yan ni Rage sa mga kaklase ko dun na lang ako makikinig. Since I am playing this damn pen thing. It slipped on my hands and dropped my pen on the floor. 

I look at the floor silently to avoid making the noise, baka mapansin pa ako ni Mr no, ayoko na talaga. 

When I looked at the back of my chair, I saw the pen. I try to reach for it, but my arms are not that long. When I look at the person sitting behind me, which is Rage. I don't know if I am going to ask help or choose to struggle getting that pen. But then, I choose to struggle. Medyo masakit ang yumuko. I inhale a large amount of air to continue what I'm doing, I can sense Rage looking at me,if he is really a gentleman he would get that pen without my permission. So, is he enjoying my position like this, like an idiot? Cause, I think he is. 

The problem is, his legs open so wide and I can see his crotch, and it makes me feel so awkward. Bakit dun pa gumulong ang pen ko sa bandang gitna ng ano niya! Urgh!! I hope no student looks at me right because it's embarrassing.

"What are you guys doing?" I heard Mr. No shout at me. I see Rage laugh at me when Mr. No shout, he even covers his mouth with his hand. I knew that he wanted this to happen, that's why he can't help me get the pen. Sa gulat ko napaahon ako mula sa pagkakayuko ko kanina. "I'm just getting my pen Sir." I nervously said, I can feel my cold sweat on my forehead. 

"That's not what I see, are you flirting to Mr. Suarez?" Kahit kami ang matira sa mundong to, hindi ako lalapit jan.

"Excuse me, sir I am not." I said. Everyone smiles playfully they think that I am denying what Mr. No said. 

"You know what, Ms. Carmona, you're too low on my class and you have the guts to flirt with your classmate? Is that why you came to school to flirt?" He's now yelling at me, accusing me and judging me just because of what he saw. Is he even a Professor? 

"Without your respect Sir, I don't know why you are mad but I am telling the truth I'm just getting the pen. And you have no right to call me flirt just because that's what you saw. I don't think that's a professional way to preach to a student." I tried to say it calmly, but my tears suddenly burst out. It's just a simple pen, why does he make it a big deal? 

"Sir," I heard Rage say, and he looked like he was standing up because I heard his chair move. 

"It's true that Ms. Carmona is just getting her pen, it's my fault because I did not help her even though her pen is on my side." Rage defended me. Like no need, this ugly Professor old man already hurt my feelings. 

Everyone kept quiet after Rage said, and I am standing here wasting my time with his subject where his subject is just a minor one. 

"Okay, enough for this drama. Dismiss." He said, while getting all his things and about to leave. 

"Sir, I don't think you can leave without apologizing to your student for what you said. Be professional!" Rage and make him stop opening the door. He raised his brows to Rage and looked at me. 

"What I said, is what I said. I don't need to apologize for anyone, apologizing is for weakness." Mr. No reply. 

"It is for everybody, unless you are a coward and don't have courage to do so." Rage's keep talking. 

"Are you---?" He didn't finish his sentence and just shook his head and left. 

Everyone in this room, doing their thing quietly like something intense happened. I don't think that intense, but it's an embarrassing one. 

I started to clean my things too and leave this room, mas lalo kong sinumpa ang klase ni Mr

No isa siyang damuho. Lumala din lalo ang tingin ko kay Rage. 

I really think that he is a nice guy but hell no, pakitang tao lang ata yung gabing hinatid niya ako at ginamot. 

"Lexia, sorry I don't know that this would happen. Here's your pen by the way!" Rage said, is he kidding me? Ngayon niya pa inabot sa dami ng nangyari.

"Ano gusto mo? Pasalamatan kita? Sa dami na ng nangyari o, ngayon pa? Sana all diba!" I said jokingly and wiped my tears. He stopped talking and looked at me with his upset eyes, I don't need his mercy. I am going to drop this subject. 

"Hey, look I'm sorry I know it's my fault and--I'm sorry." He said, looks like he lost. 

"No need cause I'm going to drop this sub." I said, some of my classmates that are still here look in our direction. But when I look at them back, they look away. 

"Wait, why?" I am giving impatient akala ko ba matalino siya? Bakit hindi niya gets?

"So, am I going to explain what happened lately just to give you an answer?" I said to him straight in his eyes. 

He sighed, and gave up on me. 

I don't have anything to say so I quickly leave this hell room. 

I finished all my classes today, and went home straight. Ali and Jen invited me to go with them and have a drink but I didn't even reply to their chats and calls. 

When I get home, I help my Mom with some household chores and after that we eat. I studied too before watching my pending K-dramas and then when I feel sleepy. I did my night care routine and went to bed to sleep. 

The next day is Saturday, wherein Ali, Jen, and I plan to attend the basketball game and to support our university team too. Para naman gumaan din ang loob baka makakita pa ako nang majojowa dun ano. 

When I go outside to wait for the tricycle so I can meet with Ali right now at a Mall. But then a car stopped in front of me. I looked at it, and viola. It's Rage, hindi ko alam kung anong nararamdaman ko mamimili lang naman ako sa dalawa. Galit at inis. He is wearing a mask and shade and a black cap, black plain black t-shirt and plants and a nike black rubber shoes. Saan may lamay? 

"So, where's the funeral?" I ask and cross my arms on my chest. I can't see his expression because of his shade and it's so intimidating to look at him because it feels like he is hiding something. I cover my mouth with my hands when I realize what I thought. 

"Oh my god, are you wanted?" I ask in disbelief, mukha naman siyang matino tapos ano, wanted lang pala siya. Iba din talaga ang tadhana ng isang tao ano. 

"No, it's because of my job." He said I was about to say something when he continued. 

"By the way, I am really sorry. Not just what happened yesterday but also for everything that I've done. That's why I came here. In return for all my shits, I am going to be your tutor in Math and please don't drop it will affect your study and grade." He explain, kahit itutor mo ko wala, hindi mo na mababago ang gusto ko. 

"I appreciate your kindness to come here, and offer your gratitude but no you can't change my mind." I told him that. I saw him and he sighed. 

"Not just in math but to your other sub too, even your major." He is really trying to convince me huh!

I think about what he said, if my Mom knew that I dropped my subject she would probably freak out and nag me all day long. Besides, I still don't want to be affected by that ugly Mr. No, his profession doesn't suit his personality. I look at him though I can't see his eyes because of his shades. 

"I will think about it, but we're still not good, okay." I said and punched his stomach, I was expecting that he's going to be hurt. But no, his stomach is like made of metal. I look away when I do that, why do I always involve embarrassment in front of him? 

"Okay see you in school." I didn't say anything to him, and left with his fancy car. I wonder what his job is to have that kind of car, or maybe he is a Congressman son. 

---

I was already at the Mall and there I saw Ali wearing a dress and simple white shoes. She looks so pretty too. 

"Hi, there!" I wave at her. 

"Jen said, she's going to meet us here. Maaga lang daw ang photoshoot niya sa isang hotel. I nod while listening to her. 

After a while we saw Jen walking towards our direction. She's removing her heavy makeup, while walking towards our direction. Ali and I stood up, so we could leave. The three of us stay quiet on our way at the exit of this mall. We used Jen's car to go to the Arena. 

"Hey, who do you think will win this time?" Jen asks while driving, I am not really a fan of basketball. I prefer wrestling and boxing to watching rather than basketball simply because I don't understand the game. Not like wrestling or basketball, kung sinong bumugbog panalo. I didn't answer. Besides, I prefer to watch since they invite me. 

"I don't know, maybe our team this time!" Ali answered. Jen looked at me through the rear view mirror. 

"Ahm. I'm not a fan of basketball." I said, both of them just shrugged. 

It took half an hour before we arrived at the Arena. When we enter the bleachers to sit. Ali is talking to a guy, I thought it's another random guy that she likes and she's asking for a number. In just a few weeks being together with these two I already knew who they were. Well, I am not that type of person who has a hard time reading and observing the person beside me. 

"Guys, this is Kevin Lavin, my best friend since high school. But he is just two years ahead of us. He's in third year now." Ali introduced her best friend to us. Jen smiled and I smiled too, while introducing myself too. 

"Cheer niyo kami ha, gaganda pala naman mga bago mong kaibigan Ali. At marunong ka na mag-dress ha, dati kasi siga to ei." Kevin teases Ali, we both laugh at what he said and it's another thing I knew about Ali. 

Both of them keep teasing each other me and Jen just smiling on what they were saying, nakakatawa naman kasi talaga ei. Kakamiss tuloy mga dati kong kaibigan. I think I should call them after this. 

Kevin's coach calls him, and he needs to leave because the game is going to start. I sat and waited for the game to start. 

Jen and Ali keep chatting about showbiz things that their crush Idol is having a comeback and so on and so on. I only like movies when it comes to showbiz, not like series where you have to wait for the new season to finish the story. While in the movie everything is there. 

When the game starts the rival team scores first. Kevin, who is Ali's friend, is already on the court. 

I shout, dahil nadadala ako sa sigaw din ng mga estudyante. Ganito pala pag mismong game ka nanood ibang yung feeling ba. Ali and Jen shouting too everytime our team got scored, na tahimik naman kami pag nakaka-score ang kabila. We keep cheering for our team. 

Until the game reached quarter four, 62-55 we were leading. The other team keeps fighting and it's getting intense for the team. Medyo kinakabahan din ako sa mga ganap ba. 3,2,1 *ting* we won. 

I jumped because of the excitement that I felt. The three of us hugged because of this game. I didn't know that I was going to love watching basketball games from now on. 

Kevin came to us, and thanked us like we did something for their game we we're just cheering. Parang feeling ko nga magaling pa ako sa cheerdancers nila ei. 

"You don't have to thank us, we're just cheering for our team too." I said, he smiled at me and stared at me for a while. 

"Okay, thank you for cheering, guys." I smile but the group of girls behind us shout as if they were the one Kevin was talking to. I saw how Ali rolled her eyes to those girls, fantasizing Kevin. I can't blame him, he has a look though, for sure girls will cry over him. 

After the game we decided to eat since it's already dinner. With Kevin this time. 

We chose the Korean restaurant, they said they like to eat samgyeopsal. 

"Oh, kamusta naman tong best friend ko hindi ba na nanapak?" Sabi ni Kevin, habang nag iihaw natawa naman ako sa sinabi niya dahil ni minsan hindi pa ako nasasapak ni Ali. 

"Alam mo mas mabuti pang ikaw ang ihawin ano." Ali said, Jen is typing to her phone while listening. I am just smiling because they are wholesome. 

"Alam niyo ba nung high school pinagseselosan yan ng mga lalaki sa'min. Paano ba naman mas gwapo pa sa kanila, ei yung mga girlfriend nila si Ali ang type." Kevin burst out laughing after he said that, pinag-titinginan na kami ng nasa kabilang table paano ba naman ang lakas tumawa. Isang malakas na sampal naman ang natanggap niya kay Ali. Sa lakas nun, napa-tigil si Jen sa pag se-cellphone dahil sa lakas ng sampal. Kita ko naman ang pamumula ng mukha ni Kevin dahil kay Ali. 

"Alam mo papatayin mo ba ako?" Depensa naman ni Kevin, Ali raised her middle finger to Kevin kita ko na ang inis sa kanya. 

"Stop, both of you." Jen tries to stop them. 

Nakinig nga at tumigil din, pero kita ko pa rin ang bakas ng sampal ni Ali. Tumahimik na naman sa table namin. 

Nang matapos kumain, KKB daw. Magbibigay na sana ako ng ambag ko pero inunahan na ako ni Kevin. 

"Libre na kita." Halata ko sa mukha ni Ali ang gulat, walang expression naman si Jen. Habang nakuha ng pera sa wallet niya. 

"Bakit mo siya ililibre diba dapat ako, kasi ako kaibigan mo." Reklamo ni Ali. 

"Okay lang ako na magbabayad." Awat ko sa kanilang, dalawa bakit naman niya ako ililibre ei ngayon lang kami nagkakilala. 

"Ano ba sabi ko?" Tanong ulit ni Kevin at nahihiyang tumingin sa akin. 

"Sabi mo ililibre mo si Lexia." Pag uulit ni Ali. Tumingin sa akin si Kevin at para siyang nahihiya pa. 

"Hindi, sabi ko ako na. Libre ko na ganon. Eto, malisyosa" bahagya niyang tinapik si Ali. Tinaasan naman siya ni Ali ng kilay na para bang may nalaman siya rito. 

"Sus, palusot ang gag* hoy kilala kita no. Huwag ako iba na lang!" Sagot naman ni Ali sa kanya, napainom naman si Kevin ng tubig dahil sa sagot ng kaibigan. 

"Ewan ko sayo." Mahinang sagot ni Kevin. 

"Basa na agad kitang kupal ka." Tumawa naman si Ali at tumingin sa akin, lumingon ako kay Jen at halatang naguguluhan din siya,kung anong pinag uusapan ng dalawa. 

"Guys, do you still have plans for tonight? I still have a photo shoot for tonight ei. I can't go with you guys." Jen said while looking at her phone, reading messages. 

"Ahm, I don't have plans either. I'm going home na." I said, and fixed my things. 

"Wala na rin kaming pupuntahan nitong bakulaw na to, uuwi na lang din ako." Ali said, Jen just nodded and continued typing. Maybe she's really busy right now. 

"Pero ihahatid ko muna kayo." Sabi ni Jen. Nagkatinginan kami ni Ali. 

"Hoy, dyosa huwag na no. May trabaho ka pa. Marunong kami umuwi mag isa no, hindi naman kami bata." Sagot ni Ali, mabait talaga 'tong si Jen kahit na marami siyang ginagawa.  

"By the way, take care everyone and nice to see you Kevin Lavin." Jen said and waved at us. She kissed our cheeks before leaving. 

"Ako walang kiss", pahabol ni Kevin. 

"Next time." Jen yells back. Kevin just laughed about it. 

I book a grab driver, para makauwi na. Tumatawag na rin kasi si Mama ei. Nang dumating na ang grab nag paalam na ako sa dalawa. 

"Uy, ingat kayo ha. Bye Ali." Paalam ko kay Ali. 

"Nice to meet you, Kevin Lavin." 

Sabi ko bago sumakay.