"Sometimes things don't go according to plan."

Chapter 11

I NEVER imagined that I'd be in a situation where I still have to practice and think hard about how to start a conversation with someone I don't like.

Terrible! I'm desperate to find out which of them is the actual Lev from when I was younger.

There is also a very good chance that neither of them is Lev, but I have every reason to believe that I shall see him soon. 

Malayo na ako pero malayo pa.

To be honest, I've also questioned my high school classmates who had the name Lev. However, it was confirmed and certified that these were not what I was searching for. As long as I can recall, I knew five individuals named Lev.

Leviathan Von Cuarteros, one of whom I previously mistook for him because he had characteristics with Lev, whom I know, and was born in Thailand. He relocated to the Philippines when he was thirteen years old. Malev Friv Koslov has foreign ancestry. Like Leviathan, he was 13 years old when he migrated to the Philippines. Leveighn Del Rosario is gay and grew up in Manila. Marcus Levon Cumalog is from Quezon Province and has no social life because he considers himself a weird.

Lahat ng 'yon ay wala man lang tumugma sa description kay Lev. Childhood experience pa lang nila ay wala na. No one passed. . . And you know what's surprising? I directly asked all five of them, while now it seems like it's hard for me to do that.

Madali lang naman talaga ang pagtatanong, eh. Hindi ko alam pero parang umurong ang dila ko sa oras na nandiyan na ang dalawa. Hindi ko kayang rektang itanong sa kanila ang gusto kong sabihin.

So now I'm constantly practicing on how to start a conversation.

I have run out of 'hi' and 'hello' words in front of the mirror. It is not in my image to be close to anyone. Even I will be shocked if I unexpectedly approach someone I don't know and then get near.

"Hi, Levi! What's up? Are you okay?" My tongue clicked. "Tunog napipilitan. Hindi ko alam kung natural pa bang pakinggan sa kanya kung kakausapin ko siya sa ganoong paraan."

Disappointed, I sat down and frowned at what I was doing. I really made an effort. Hindi ko naman alam na pati pala pagpapakilala ay may script pa lang gagawin. 'Nak ng tokwa, talagang buhay 'to. Ginagawa kong komplikado!

I rose up and was going to speak in front of the mirror when I heard a light knock on the door.

I heard Kuya Siello lean against the door, arms folded in front of him, giving me an anxious look.

"What are you doing? I heard your voice a while ago as if you were talking to someone. Are you with someone?" He even walked inside my room to see whether I was with anyone.

I shake my head and heave a sigh. "Sino naman makakasama ko?"

"Malay mo, may kasama ka talaga. Ayaw mo lang sabihin."

"Paano naman siya makakapasok ng bahay, aber? Nasa may pintuan sa baba ka nakabantay tapos naka-lock naman ang likod ng bahay. Naka-jalousie window type tayo. Hindi kasya ang tao diyan." I reason out, then sat down again.

"So ibig sabihin ay may plano ka ngang magpasok ng 'nino man?"

"Kuya, why the hell would I let them in sa bahay? Like, anong purpose ng pagpasok nila kung may group project naman na ginagawa namin ay tinatapos ko na agad?"

"Okay, miss defensive. You just defended yourself in court."

I gave him a boring look. Napaka-corny ng sinabi niya, sarap din talaga tadyakan ng isang 'to.

"Haha, funny mo naman. Sali ka sa The Voice baka ma-develop talent mo sa dancing do'n."

"Kingina! Angas mo naman. Sige na nga, I'll go na. Tuloy mo 'yang pakikipag-usap mo sa hangin."

Akmang aalis na sana si Kuya Siello nang hawakan ko ang kanyang siko.

"Kuya, I'm just asking, if you interact with someone you don't know, then you introduce yourself first. What do you usually say first?" I responded with shyness.

He was also thinking. "When it comes to interacting with strangers, I don't mind on how I will approach them. Why? Are you going to a social event?"

"Nothing. It's really hard for me to socialize with anyone. There are things I want to ask someone, but I'm not in the habit of doing that either."

"Hindi mo basa ang ugali? You mean hindi mo sure kung seseryosohin kang sagutin?"

"Exactly!"

"Then, try to get to know them. Observe him or her. Alam mo, kung napansin mong nasa mood 'yong tao, doon ka bumwelo sabay tanong. Kahit 'yong mga gago sumagot minsan, may oras na magiging matino rin 'yan," wika nito sabay alis.

So does that mean I have to keep an eye on Mendeeleev and Levi? Or just Mendeleev? Gosh! This is freaking me out. I don't know why I'm still bothering them.

This is really frustrating. But Brother Siello is right. Ako rin naman, may mga moments na sobrang good mood ako sa lahat to the point na para na akong anghel sa sobrang bait.

And I need to capture that moment so that I can ask the questions that were right for.

I hope I'm close. . .

Lev, I'm still hoping.

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪

KAPAPASOK ko pa lang ng room at pansin ko na agad si Levi na nakatingin sa harap. Hindi ko mawari kung ano ang nasa isip niya, pero sigurado akong sobrang lalim ng iniisip niya.

Wala pa ang gago, pero sigurado rin akong darating din 'yon.

And at this point, I prepared myself for the horrible scheme of Mendeeleev to attack again. There may be a surprise happen. Luckily I brought an additional set of clothes. Just in case.

As I took my seat, I observed that the room was quite silent, much like the last time they blasted me with ketchup.

I took a deep breath and waited for the professor to arrive. Sir Austin arrived minutes later and checked attendance. It's odd that he hasn't arrived yet.

'Edi goods! My start to the day will be serene. I sincerely hope he never comes.

The lecture began with a fresh topic, and I was amazed how well I understood the lesson. An hour had passed, and the bell had almost rung. 

"Okay, class! I have an activity for you this coming midterm. You will be in pairs! And I will be the one choosing the pair for you. Since you are 35 here, there will be a group of three members, and to be fair, those three have an extra activity. Here, check the list here. The activity will be sent later to the GC." Sir Austin stormed out of the classroom.

My classmates instantly stood up and examined the list on the table.

I heard various comments after learning who the pair was.

After they checked the paper, I stood there reviewing the list.

And I wasn't expecting what was listed there. H-How? Shit! Why would they be my groupmates?

Most importantly, why me?

Sienna Zara Malcom

Mendeleev Brixx Sanchez

Levi Hughes Declan

Bakit sa dinami-dami ng pagkakataon, sa kanila pa ako naggrupo? P'wede namang si Levinne na lang. Speaking of Levinne, nawala rin sa isip ko siya. Oo nga, 'no? Hindi ko siya naalala. Napatingin ako sa aking likuran at nakitang empty ang kanyang upuan.

My mind was really preoccupied a while ago. I can't even remember Levinne, who was only with me last night. I didn't even receive a text from him explaining why he was elsewhere, but I'm certain of one thing right now. He and Phoebe even shared a moment since she mentioned that she wants to spend time with him before returning to the taping.

I chuckled at my own thoughts.

But before I could finish giggling, I looked back at the paper on the table and walked back to my seat with a slumped shoulder.

Hindi na ba talaga p'wedeng makipagpalit ng ka-grupo? I'm really willing to switch with any of my classmates. Just not those two.

"Disappointed?"

I looked at the owner of the voice and saw Levi still looking at the front, but I was sure he was asking me.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, I didn't expect both of you to be my groupmates." I answered honestly.

"Tsk . . ."

Gusto ko siyang suntukin sa kung paano niya ako sagutin. Kainis! That's it? Bilang lang talaga sa daliri siya kung magsalita.

"If Sir Austin sends the activity later, I'll plan on what to do. I'll give you the parts to work it. Sabihin mo sa kaibigan mong gag-------"

"Sino ang gago?"

I promptly looked at Mendeelev, who had just walked through the entrance.

Gosh! Talking about the devil. Levi and I were nearly whispering when he heard. What exactly is this ear? Detecting soundwaves?

I frowned. "You didn't let me finish, Mendeleev. What I was going to say was, 'Sabihin mo sa kaibigan mong gagawin niya activity niya.' Okay na ba?" I replied.

"Don't make me a fool. Alam ko mainit dugo mo sa akin." He stepped closer to me. Akala niya ata masisindak niya ako sa paangas effect niyang lakad, eh, mukha naman siyang kitikiti. "Don't deny it. Simula pa lang, kumukulo na dugo mo sa akin."

"Great! Buti alam mo. Basta, be professional if ever dumating na ang activity. Ayaw ko pa naman sa lahat ay 'yong pabuhat at higit sa lahat, ang lakas magmalaki sa sarili pero wala namang ibubuga." I said straight right into his face and turned my back on him.

I'm not surprised that even as I took my seat, he gave me a dead gaze. He hoped I'd forget what he did to me by splashing ketchup on me. He'll wait for me and experience Malcom's vengeance.

I grin.

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪

"NABILI mo na ba, Deidra?"

"'Eto, oh. Ano palang gagawin mo sa floor wax na 'yan? Eh, tiles naman sahig sa college. Pathway ba lalagyan mo?" She asked curiously as she gave me the boxes of wax.

"I'll have my revenge. Hindi p'wedeng ako lang ang gipit sa aming dalawa."

I saw her mouth gape. "Wait! Don't tell me 'your revenge plan is to make her slip on the floor wax?"

"No, I have a better plan than that. What if he'll eat these instead?" Then I smirk.

I can see Deidra's concern on her face because she just watched me wanting to exact revenge on someone. I will take revenge, but it will not be that severe. He treated me worse.

Lunchtime arrived, and I planned my retribution.

All I needed was timing because all of my classmates were in the canteen, so I went to Mendeeleev's locker and prepared the necessary items for my vengeance.

Just a small amount of intellectual curiosity and time. I've done it before, just not in the locker. I'll just test it; perhaps it will work now.

As soon as I had everything in order, I dashed out of the room and headed for the canteen.

As soon as I entered the canteen, I was so surprised when I saw the two with Lev leaving the canteen. But even before I could follow them, my eyes saw Deidra talking to someone.

I wanted to approach her, but I was more concerned with knowing if I had carried out my strategy.

I dashed towards the cashier and purchased a carton of milk some Fita biscuits.

This is merely my alibi, but I know he already knows I'm the one retaliating against him. I do not want to miss the moment he unlocks his locker.

I dashed back to the room and walked closer.

I placed the straw in the box and unwrapped the biscuit wrapper.

I took a deep breath and proceeded carefully to the door of the room.

When I got to the entrance, I was surprised to discover Levi with his face covered in floor wax.

I dropped my food and glanced at him, who remained shocked in front of the locker.

Ang laking posibilidad na inutusan ng gago si Levi na may kunin sa kanyang locker. At hindi ko sukat akalain na siya ang sasalo ng paghihiganti ko.

Levi turned to face me and cursed, "Fuck!"

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪