Staying inside my unit wasn't the best idea lalo na kung may midterm exam na kami sa Lunes. I always get distracted and find a reason to stay away from my notes like I would eat food from the refrigerator, watch movies or just lay on my bed and spend the day sleeping.That's when I decided to go out and just study to a coffee shop. That way, I'll get motivated by some students who was probably studying too. Iwas antok na rin at hindi ako masyadong makakakain since kailangan ko pang magbayad.I was preparing my things when my phone vibrated."Hi Rencey!" bati ko agad sa kaniya."Where are you?""On my way out of my unit kaso tumawag ka. Why?" I set the call in loudspeaker and put my textbooks and reviewers on my backpack."Saan ka pupunta?" I rolled my eyes."I asked you first! Answer me!""Just checking on you. Where are you going?""I'll look for a coffee shop. I need to review.""You don't have your car."Naibaba ko 'yung pencil case na hawak ko. "Oh, shit! I totally forgot about tha
"I was admitted to a mental institution."Napaawang ang labi ko at hindi makapaniwalang napatingin sa kaniya. Magsasalita pa lang sana ako kaso ay lumapit na sa amin ang isang lalaking nagpaparenta ng kabayo.I watched him with a frown while he was talking to the man.It seems like he was not smiling bitterly earlier. Napailing na lang ako.We ride the horses with the help of the old man. Kumuha kami ng tig-isa since pareho naman kaming first time sumakay sa kabayo. Nagpaikot-ikot lang kami sa may kakahuyan. Ang sinag ng araw ay paminsan-minsang sumisilip sa espasyo sa gitna ng bawat dahon. Mahalumigmig ang paligid at maraming nag-uusap sa paligid pati na rin ang iilang huni ng mga ibon.Nang matapos ang oras namin ay tinulungan ako ni Zyle bumaba. Nagpasalamat kami at dumiretso na ng kotse dahil lumubog na ang araw. Bago umalis ay dumaan kami sa mga tindahan ng mga pasalubong at namili ng iba't ibang produkto.Pagbalik sa sasakyan ay idiniretso namin ang mga pinamili sa likod."I'll d
Hindi ko malaman kung anong meron pero pagkagising ko kinabukasan, nagmamadali akong pumasok sa Assumption University. Dahil maaga pa ay wala pa masyadong tao kaya dumiretso muna ako sa cafeteria. After buying a fitbar, I made my way to my room.Hindi rin nagtagal ay dumating na ang ibang classmate ko at nagsimulang magdaldalan. I was listening to my playlist nang mapaangat ang ulo ko at nakitang sabay na pumasok si Rencey kasunod si Zyle. Nangunot naman ang noo ko nang bigla siyang umupo sa katabi kong upuan."That's Zyle's," sabi ko at tumingin pa kay Zyle na nagkibit-balikat lang at inilagay na lang ang bag sa kinauupuan ni Rencey sa dulo. Madalas kasi sa gitna namin si Zyle. Sa ibang klase naman, ako. Terrence was always seated near the aisle kaya nagtaka ako at bigla siyang lumipat ngayon. I just shrugged it away.Terrence was weirder when our vacant time came. He's arms was on my shoulders while we are making our way on the corridor. Napapatingin tuloy sa amin 'yung iba.Madalas
Ngumiti ito habang nakatingin sa mga mata ko saka tumango. Napaiwas ako ng tingin saka kinuha ang cellphone kong inilagay ko sa center table kanina."Who's Zyla?" I asked bago ko pa makalimutan. Who's that girl in his life? It that his girlfriend?"My little sister."Does Terrence know? I mean, he knew about my family since he asked where they are. Alam niya rin na isang anak lang ako but why didn't I know that he has a little sister? Maybe I forgot to ask. Maybe because I didn't wanna know much. Maybe because I don't wanna be attached.Napakunot ang noo ko at inilagay ang cellphone sa bulsa ng short ko sa harap. Mahirap na, baka madukot kapag sa likod ko nilagay."Didn't know you have one.""Patong mo rito yung medium box, ikaw na sa pinakamaliit.""Small na lang, ako na sa medium." Sabi ko saka ipinatong 'yung maliit na box sa ibabaw ng dala niya."Ikaw na. Para ikaw pumindot sa elevator at sa kotse." I rolled my eyes before exchanging our boxes."Nagpapaka-gentleman ka lang, e." He
The bottle spun around again. Nang minsang tumapat ito kay Terrence, he chose to drink the mixture of alcohol rather than the dare to kiss anyone in the room torridly. We both knew he can choose to kiss me but maybe he really wanted to drink. It was really fine for me and it wasn't really new to us. I knew it that he was trying to be faithful."Okay! Cuddle on that couch for one hour! The first two chosen by the bottle!"One of the girls twisted the bottle and for the first time, it pointed Zyle. Pinaikot ulit ang bote at napaawang ang labi ko nang tumapat ito sa akin. I looked at them then turned to Zyle. Tumayo ito at umupo sa sofa. When he was settled ay saka ito tumingin sa akin."Okay," He patted his lap. "Come to Daddy."Laughter filled the room. Nakita ko pang napailing rin si Terrence.I rolled my eyes at him saka tumayo. Tinulungan pa ako ni Terrence makatayo.Why does I have a feeling that this won't do me good?I slowly sat on Zyle's legs. Pero ‘yung malayo sa katawan niya.
Gulat akong napalingon sa kaniya. "You're aroused?!" I whispered so the crowed won't know.Tinanggal nito ang pagkakapatong ng baba niya sa balikat ko. "'yung bunganga mo talaga, walang preno madalas."I rolled my eyes. "Well, I'm stating the obvious!"Damn, no matter how hard I tried to stay still, I'm feeling it! Oh my God!"You've been fidgeting on my lap for half an hour, you know? Of course, my body still reacts.""So, it's my problem you didn't satisfy your friend down there and now it's presenting itself on my back?!"He laughed at me and shook his head. 'Yung ulo with the eyes, nose and mouth! Not the other one! Dammit. My corrupted mind!Umayos siya ng upo, his hands still tight on my waist. Like if he loosened his grip something bad might happen. I glanced at everyone. They were busy and it felt like we had our own world here.I shut my eyes. Why am I even fussing about this? It wasn't as if I'm so innocent.I shook my head. Maybe because he's a friend. Maybe if it was Terren
The second term already started. Tulad pa rin nang unang term, magkakasama pa rin kaming tatlo nila Terrence sa minor courses maliban sa isa—NSTP. He already got that course on his freshman year unlike us.Wala rin naman masyasdong ginagawa doon kaya okay lang. Kailangan nga lang namin ng output at the end of the term."Bored?" Zyle murmured on my side."Obviously."Grabe, akala ko talaga dati hindi na uso reporting sa college. Akala ko free cut lagi. 'Yung papasok ka lang kapag trip mo basta naiintindihan mo 'yung mga lessons. 'yung wala ng attendance sa grading system. 'yung wala na hula at palakasan system.I had high hopes in college, I know.Inilahad ko sa kaniya ng pulso ko. He was sitting on my left. Tapos may katabi pa siyang tatlo malapit sa aisle."Draw me a tattoo," I said randomly.Ipinatong niya 'yung kamay ko sa desk niya. "Anything?"Tumango ako at nilingon 'yung prof namin na nagse-cellphone lang. I rolled my eyes. Palibhasa ay hindi niya trip 'yung nasa harap na estudy
Both of them looked at me with amusement in their eyes. "Talaga, ate?!"A smile drawn into my lips. They look cute with their eyes wide and innocent faces na wala man lang make-up. Meron pa palang natitirang ganito sa kabataan ngayon. I mean, mostly kasi sa panahon ngayon, as early as Grade 10 'ata, nagme-make up na. Pero silang dalawa, ang natural lang."Yeah.""Wow! Anong pangalan mo ate?!"The conversation instantly turned to me and my modelling journey. Sumabay pa sila sa paglalakad namin hanggang sa theater room ng university kasi kailangan na ni Zyle makapunta at baka ma-late ito. Pareho naman kami ng dadaanan kaya sumabay na sila."Thanks, Kuya Z!""Oo nga kuya, sayo rin ate Cass! I'm your new fan na po." Napatawa ako sa sinabi nila."I'm hoping to see you two more. Bagay po talaga kayo!""True! Ang cute n'yo po. Nice to meet you po!""Nice to meet you rin," I said to them."Mauna na kami!""Bye po!" Kumaway sila sa amin at ganoon rin ako habang nakangiti at pinapanood silang um
I cried silently on the playground knowing that no one can see me at this state. Hindi ko malaman kung gaano na ako katagal sa ganoong posisyon pero nakaramdam ako na parang may nakatingin sa akin. Tinanggal ko ang aking mga palad sa aking mata at nagulat sa bumungad sa akin. I abruptly wiped the tears away.Sitting in front of me was Zyle. Nakaupo ito isang metro ang layo sa akin sa madamong lapag. Ang kaniyang tuhod ay nakadikit sa dibdib. Nakapatong naman ang mga braso sa tuhod nito. His chin was resting on his crossed arms while his eyes were watching me. I can't see any reaction from his face because of darkness. "What are you doing here?"Kanina pa ba siya nandito? Bakit hindi ko nalaman? Saka paano niya nalamang nandito ako?"Are you crying?"I don't even know why he was asking. He obviously knew that I was crying. I have a hunch that he's been here for a while, watching me cry but he never want me to recognize his existence, so he kept silent. Because if he does, Edi sana nala
"T-terrence.""Cass?" I imagined him frown just by his tone. Maybe because he heard me stuttered. "How's your date?"Hindi ko pinansin ang sinabi niya. "Terrence won't you really go home t-tonight?" My voice broke kaya agad kong tinakpan ang bibig, habang nararamdaman ang pagtulo ng luha sa aking mga mata."Cass, are you okay?""No." I cried silently. I was in a cubicle of a mall I passed by when I received the call...I...I don't even know what I should be thinking right now."Where are you? Is Zyle with you?""Just answer me if you can't really come home," I said stubbornly while wiping my tears away. "Please," I murmured."Cass," he called my name and I knew that he was really conflicted whether or not he'll come.I sniffed. "It's okay." Whatever it was he was doing, I knew it was important. "I'll wait you tomorrow then I'll tell you.""Are you sure? Cass if you want--""No. I'll be fine. Do your job t-there and come back ASAP.""Sure. Stay in the unit, okay?" He reminded me worrie
There are things that you'll do without second thoughts. But there are also things you'll do without thinking at all. And most of the time, you'll end up regretting doing it on the first place.I was hugging Terrence all the time as we made our way home. More like, hiding my face on his chest."We're heading in," Terrence said as we stood in front of our door. I was still hiding on him, somehow, trying to act drunk.
Napaawang ang mga labi ko ng marinig ang sinabi niya. Ibinaba ko ang aking cellphone saka tumingin sa kaniya na nakahiga sa gitna. "Nasaan 'yung mga kasama mo?" I asked with a frown. I looked at the seat but there's no evidence that someone was here. "I told you, umuwi ka na,” he said instead of answering me. "Sumabay ka na nga sa aki
CHAPTER 13Time flew fast. Parang kahapon lang, kakasimula lang ng taon. Ngayon, nasa ikahuling buwan na.Being a third year student in a university having trimestral term wasn't easy. Kaliwa't kanan ang mga gawain lalo na at malapit na kami sa goal: ang makapagtapos. Isang taon pa at pagkatapos noon, we will enter a new chapter of our life. I'll surely miss being in school one of those time when I'm in the industry."Zyle, I can't
Kinabukasan, maaga kaming umalis ng university para maagang makapunta sa elementary school. Pagdating roon ay dalawang classroom ng grade 2 ang aming mga nakita. I smiled at their tiny height and sweet smiles. They are falling in line and greeted us in unison, like how they greet their teacher in a slow manner.The program started with a prayer. Some remarks that obviously couldn’t understood by the grade school and then some lectures. We also gave them food before we started the Palarong Pinoy.
Every in the room was busy, preparing packed things we are going to donate on a school that was assigned to our class. We are having our outreach program for our NSTP. We’re lucky we’re allowed to do it already even before we had our midterms exams. It will be tomorrow; we are distributing them to the chosen public elementary and prepared a small program for the kids.On the past weeks, everything happened like days are flashing before our eyes. Like how buildings pass on my sight while we are making our way home. Terrence was MIA again. His engineering life always get his time for us that even on weekends, wala siya sa condo.
Both of them looked at me with amusement in their eyes. "Talaga, ate?!"A smile drawn into my lips. They look cute with their eyes wide and innocent faces na wala man lang make-up. Meron pa palang natitirang ganito sa kabataan ngayon. I mean, mostly kasi sa panahon ngayon, as early as Grade 10 'ata, nagme-make up na. Pero silang dalawa, ang natural lang."Yeah.""Wow! Anong pangalan mo ate?!"The conversation instantly turned to me and my modelling journey. Sumabay pa sila sa paglalakad namin hanggang sa theater room ng university kasi kailangan na ni Zyle makapunta at baka ma-late ito. Pareho naman kami ng dadaanan kaya sumabay na sila."Thanks, Kuya Z!""Oo nga kuya, sayo rin ate Cass! I'm your new fan na po." Napatawa ako sa sinabi nila."I'm hoping to see you two more. Bagay po talaga kayo!""True! Ang cute n'yo po. Nice to meet you po!""Nice to meet you rin," I said to them."Mauna na kami!""Bye po!" Kumaway sila sa amin at ganoon rin ako habang nakangiti at pinapanood silang um
The second term already started. Tulad pa rin nang unang term, magkakasama pa rin kaming tatlo nila Terrence sa minor courses maliban sa isa—NSTP. He already got that course on his freshman year unlike us.Wala rin naman masyasdong ginagawa doon kaya okay lang. Kailangan nga lang namin ng output at the end of the term."Bored?" Zyle murmured on my side."Obviously."Grabe, akala ko talaga dati hindi na uso reporting sa college. Akala ko free cut lagi. 'Yung papasok ka lang kapag trip mo basta naiintindihan mo 'yung mga lessons. 'yung wala ng attendance sa grading system. 'yung wala na hula at palakasan system.I had high hopes in college, I know.Inilahad ko sa kaniya ng pulso ko. He was sitting on my left. Tapos may katabi pa siyang tatlo malapit sa aisle."Draw me a tattoo," I said randomly.Ipinatong niya 'yung kamay ko sa desk niya. "Anything?"Tumango ako at nilingon 'yung prof namin na nagse-cellphone lang. I rolled my eyes. Palibhasa ay hindi niya trip 'yung nasa harap na estudy