Chapter 14

I was out with Ruth earlier, we went out just to hang out and finally have a time to relax from the stressful weeks had. For sure, itong final week namin ay mas durugo ang mga utak namin. 

Pagkarating ko sa bahay, I already had my plans. I will take a nice shower, watch a movie, and I'll sleep late. That was the plan, until someone came in knocking in to my door.

Ayoko pa sanang pagbuksan ng pinto dahil malakas ang pakiramdam ko na iyong iniisip kong tao na nandiyan ang nakaabang. But when I thought he stopped knocking, that's what I thought. Nagpatuloy pa rin siya at hindi tumigil.

I feel like I have no choice.

I took a deep breath and walked towards the door and open it for him. As usual, hindi ko na ikinagulat nang makita ko siya. He's smiling at me, but I kept my face so steady na wala siyang makukuha sa akin.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito?" tanong ko sa kanya na halos walang pagkainteresado. 

"I was calling you earlier," he said. "Many times."

"Alam ko," tipid kong sagot. "And so?"

"And why aren't you answering it?"

Nagkasalubong ang kilay ko sa tanong niya. "Bakit ko naman sasagutin iyong tawag mo? May usapan ba tayo na pati weekend, mag-uusap tayong dalawa?"

"Well... you agreed you'll talk to me over the phone so that's the only way I can reach out to you."

"And so, hindi ko nga sinagot. Syempre, makiramdam ka na lang din na baka busy 'yong tao at hindi interesado gumawa ng any school works. And that could be the reason why you're here, 'no?"

He nodded, scratching the back of his head. "Uh... yes. This would be my last request."

"Hmm..."

"Please?" he begged. Actually, first time for me to hear those words from him and it sounded so sincere, or might not be. "Yesterday, my professor asked me to defend my research to him and I needed your help with that."

"Bakit mo pa ako kailangan? Hindi mo alam kung anong mga nakagay diyan sa paper mo? Ikaw naman ang gumawa niyan, a?"

"I know, I know. But, I still need your help... would you please do it for me? Are you available tonight?"

"I have plans," sabi ko sa kanya. Ayokong sirain ang gabi ko just because of him.

"Okay, that's alright. If you're not available tonight, maybe tomorrow?"

I had to think quickly on what to do with this unwanted visitor. Napabitaw na lamang ako nang malalim na buntonghininga.

"Okay, scrap the plans. Ayoko na makita bukas kaya we'll do this tonight. And this would be the last time, alright? We'll never be in contact again after this."

"Sure," he said, smiling like a dog. "That's what we've agreed so that's cool for me."

"'Kay," wala kong ganang sagot. Pinapasok ko naman siya sa loob ng apartment ko. "Mag-set up ka na riyan at sa pagbalik ko, dapat ready ka na."

"Got you," he said. May pahabol pa itong pagkindat sa akin na pinandirihan ko naman.

Tumungo lang ako sa kusina para kunin ang inumin na pinalamig ko. And just like what I said, pagbalik ko sa sala kung nasaan si Bryce ay ready na ang laptop nito. He took off his jacket and now he's only wearing white tight sando. I sat across him and listen to what he would say as if he's already presenting to his professor.

Ilang beses ko siyang sinita, pinuna, at binigyan ng suggestion. He was swaying his answers to the context of the given question. He's not getting to it direct because he couldn't defend it wholly. 

"If you don't know what you are presenting to, hindi mo magagawa nang maayos 'tong presentation mo. You know your paper more than anyone else. Ikaw pa rin ang gumawa niya midst of helping you. Alam mo kung anong nakalagay riyan. You just have to be confident about it."

"Sure... but you know, I cannot fail this subject. I need to pass this one."

"Then believe in yourself," I said. "You won't pass it if you wouldn't believe in yourself. Nasa sa 'yo lang din naman 'yan if you really want it, be brave enough to take the high roads, pero kung natatakot ka sa ngayon pa lang, maybe you shouldn't have started it in the first place. So, ano? Ulit from the top?"

He nodded, taking deep breaths. "Yes, let's do it."

Over the time, Bryce's getting the confidence about his presentation. In the end of his mock presentation, I commend him for showing much enthusiasm in his presentation kahit na feeling ko marami pa siyang kailangang i-work out, but because it's not something he would spend his time all day, pwede na 'yon sa kanya.

"Because this is the last day, you cannot come to me anymore. Maybe Leslie could help you with that."

He smirked, shaking his head. "I know you saw us the other day and I feel like you were a little jealous..."

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Asa."

He chuckled. "But yeah, we're getting to know each other, but I don't think she'll pursue me."

"Hindi mo sure," sagot ko. "Leslie looks like she was really into you... so..."

He shrugged off. "Well... I really had a stressful weeks, but next week, sure, I hope it'll be the end of my suffering."

"You call this suffering?"

"Wow," he said. "You think you're really smart, huh?"

"I know that. Hindi na naman kailangan 'yon ipamukha sa akin."

He laughed. "Okay, I won't argue with it. Uhm... do you have any drinks here?"

"I'll check it on the fridge..."

Tumayo ako at tumungo sa kusina. I only had a root beer for him kaya iyon na lang ang kinuha ko. But when I came back, I saw him looking at some magazine there. It was a men's magazine and I had to snatch it away from his hands and throw it away.

"'Yan ka na naman..." Asar kong tugon saka ko inabot sa kanya 'yong root beer.

"Thanks..." he opened the can and drink on it. "You were so into those male models, 'no? But what do think about me, August? About this?" he grope his crotch and I can see his bulge there. "Do you want to try this one out? Come on, August... it won't bite you..."

I am being seduced and I my heart couldn't stop beating so fast and loud.

"August.... come here. Touch it..."

And obviously, my plans for tonight have changed and one of them, I have fall on my knees.