Artistry of Love (Abstract Series #3)

First year. Second year. Third year of college. My life flashed by in the blink of an eye, and throughout those years, Keith made me famous. We were frequently seen together when he entered the varsity. Dumami ang mga kaibigan ko. I know they're simply using me to get information on Keith, but that doesn't bother me. Mas okay na 'yon kaysa hindi nila ako pansinin.

They now regard me as a fashion guru, and instead of mocking me for it, they regularly seek my advice on what to dress for certain occasions. And, to be honest, I appreciate helping them.

"Ely! Anong mas maganda?" Jess, one of my classmates, stood in front of me, carrying two cosmetic kits, as I was studying for the exam.

Tinuro ko ang right side. "Those tones would enhance your complexion."

She grinned. "Noted. Thank you!" Isa siya sa mga taong naging kaibigan ko nang hindi dahil kay Keith. Our conversations were always about fashion and things we shared an admiration for. Social butterfly din kasi 'yon kaya sobrang dali na lang sa amin ang magkasundo.

Kahit habang naglalakad na ako sa hallway pauwi, maraming nagbibigay ng ngiti hindi katulad ng first sem ko sa unang year sa college na halos hindi na nila ako tingnan.

"Are you going home?" Keith approached me halfway while wiping his sweat.

May suot siyang jersey kaya sigurado akong may practice sila. They worked extremely hard in practice because the game was for the NCAA.

Nandyan na naman ang mga tingin nila. Hindi ba pa sila sanay sa mukha ni Keith? Humigit dalawang taon na kaya 'tong nag-aaral dito.

"May session pa kami today. Bakit?" Nagsimula na akong maglakad dahil ayaw kong pinagtitinginan. They weren't looking at me, but their eyes were making me feel uncomfortable.

"Wala lang." He beamed. "I was hoping you'd be able to watch our practice."

I apologetically grinned. "Perhaps next time? Promise, manonood ako."

He nodded. "That's a promise."

"Promises are meant to be broken," pang-aasar ko sa kanya.

"Not if it comes from you," nakangiti niyang sagot.

Hindi ko napigilan ang ngiti. Everyone teased us, but I couldn't see Keith as anything more than a friend, and I'm sure he thinks the same thing. I hold him in high regard.

"Corny mo. Una na ako." Before turning away from him, I threw him a little punch on the arm. I did not back down, nor was I shocked when I saw Trip staring at us. Hindi na katulad ng dati na halos magtago na ako sa kahit saang lugar para hindi niya lang makita.

We tried to keep things loose and never discussed what happened in high school. Surely it's for the best. Hindi naman kami sobrang close ngayon, parang kung nagtatanong siya, sasagutin ko at ganoon din siya sa akin.

I walked right by him. We were never forced to communicate with one another. Kung importante lang lalo't nasa same study group kami.

"Ely," he called so I stopped.

Nilingon ko siya. Nakasuot siya ng jersey. Syempre, group mates silang dalawa ni Keith kaya kasali siya sa practice.

"Yes?" I asked, a smile on my face.

He looked at me as though he had never previously seen me smile. Ewan ko sa kanya pero tuwing maayos ang pakikitungo ko sa kanya, parang ayaw niya pa.

"Pakisabi na lang sa kanila na hindi ako makaka-attend ng session," sabi niya.

My brows furrowed. "Sinabi mo na sa gc kanina, 'di ba?"

He looked tense. "Oo, pero pakiulit na lang para sigurado."