Forty-One

"Seriously?" I glared at the man wearing a black polo with my Dad's company logo embroidered on the upper part of it.

He scratched the back of his neck. "Ah, sorry po Ma'am. Wala na po akong magagawa. Utos po ni Sir Ferguson."

I pursed my lips. Dad and his brilliant ideas! Napakuyom ang mga kamao ko. I stormed off from the car and headed straight to the university, hoping to lose sight of the bodyguard Dad assigned for me.

The summer had already went on. When Dad discovered all of my crazy detours with Harry, I was forced to sit down with the family and discuss about it. Both of them urged me to attend college. I told them I wanted coffee-making class and they both gave me with a weird look as if I'm suggesting man can finally visit the sun.

"Wala kang mararating niyan," I remembered Dad's words perfectly because it seriously offended me. "Anak, you need to be more practical. I don't want you to endulge yourself into... wrong choices."

Karlo's face drifted to my mind once more. The old man spends most of his time on the hospital than on his cafe. I could only see Ronald taking over and my Tito's girlfriend, Rania most of the time. I want to help him so bad.

But yeah, as what I've said to Harry, I choose a creative writing program instead. It seems reasonable for both of them, kaya pinayagan na lang din nila ako. Now I'm standing like an idiot in a university I did not know about with a bodyguard who sees to it that I get to school and home safely.

My life couldn't be more pathetic. I grumbled as I walked down the hall and glanced at the large map on my hands.

Harry's face suddenly appeared inside of my mind. Hindi ko na siya nakita pa since last two weeks. Iyon na ang panghuli kong pagtakas sa bahay bago nalaman ng parents ko ang mga pinaggagawa ko. Thankfully, I had convinced him not to show up at my parent's house the night when his sister talked to me. It was followed by several stolen times we spent together on the street inside a car or a 24/7 diner. He did not even brought up the whole issue about my little stunt and I was so glad he opted not to.

When I finally found SH-503, nakahinga na ako nang maluwag. I stepped inside the room which cause several heads to turn towards my direction. They scrutinized me from head to toe then went on with what they are doing or talking about. They must've thought that my old band shirt and ripped jeans are not worthy of a company.

Naupo ako sa pinakadulo. A pretty girl in brown plain dress smiled at me. Her hair is braided to one side and her lips are naturally pink. She didn't have any make-up on, which made me feel overdressed because it's like she's not trying to be beautiful or impress anyone. And yet, I know half the guys keep on glancing back at her direction.

"Freshman?" Even her voice sounded perfect as well.

I slumped into my seat and place my bag into my lap. I nodded at her. "Yeah."

"Wonderful." She mused. "Don't worry, you'll like it here."

Easy for you to say since most of the guys are dying for your attention. I thought inside of my head.

After a while, a beautiful woman in navy blue business suit entered the classroom. At first I thought she's one of our classmates because of her youthful looks and well-trimmed waist. When she announced that she will be our classic literature teacher, students started snickering and boys are whistling. I mean, come on, kahit ako ay hindi ini-expect na ganito pala kaganda at kasexy ang professor namin.

She started the lesson with an activitiy. Somehow, it keep my mind occupied I almost protested when the bell rang. As I shoved my things into my bag, I silently prayed that the bodyguard isn't waiting in front of my room or it would be very embarassing.

"Care to join me for lunch?" The pretty girl asked, giving me such a genuine smile I couldn't say no.

"Sure." I said, knowing that I don't know anyone in this university and sitting alone in lunch at the cafeteria would just overwhelm me with my thoughts.

Naglakad kaming dalawa papunta sa cafeteria. We exchanged names and casually talked about anything that we think we need to know about each other.

"So, Mary Grace, have you got any boyfriend?" She smiled playfully at me as she pulled herself down into the chair with her knees closed. Seriously, this well-mannered and uptight girl could've been mistaken for a Maria Clara the way she acts. It makes me wonder how people see me with my free-spirited attitude especially when they discover that I'm a cussing machine inside a girl's body.

I shook my head but a smile curled into my lips. "I'm not dating anyone... but I'm also not available."

"Oh," Amusement danced in her beautiful orbs. "I see. Single but taken." She laughed in a I'm-a-shy-type-girl-kind-laugh way.

"How about you, Roxanne?"

Her face broke into a grin and for a moment I thought her cheeks are glowing. Seriously, this girl couldn't be more beautiful. "I'm actually seeing someone right now."

"I suppose you're in a good relationship," I commented as I took a bite of my sponge cake.

"Yeah," She said in such enthusiasm I wondered what's her boyfriend like. I assume he's also good-looking, competent in academics, and well-mannered as well. Ms. Perfect meets Mr. Perfect lang ang peg. "He's one of the most passionate guys I've ever known."

The word passionate brought Harry to my mind once again. I nodded my head to encourage her in dominating the conversation and soon I was bombarded with information about her boyfriend except for the name.

"I can't know the name?" I complained because my curiosity is urging me to search her boyfriend's name on Facebook and probably stalk him for a while.

Roxanne winked. "You'll be able to see him. Soon."

After lunch time, we both headed to our respective classes. Roxanne is already in sophomore, just taking classic literature since she missed a slot last semester. Buti nalang tinuro niya sa akin kung nasaan ang room ko kaya hindi na ako masyadong naligaw.

I walked through the hallway crowded with some college girls carrying a large canvas and slip inside a room. Sumilip ako sandali. It's an art room. Most of the students are either busy drawing something or talking to each other.

I turned around and saw a familiar pair of converse white shoes. My heart started leaping inside of my chest, begging to get out. Kaagad kong sinundan ang papalayong sapatos. He had his back turned against me but I know him very well.

"Harry!" I cried in joy when he turned around. His eyes widen and stopped abruptly. I ran into him and without thinking, swung my arms into his neck.

"Mary Grace!" He sounded so surprised, but then he started chuckling when I tried to kiss him. "Not here, naughty girl."

I also threw my head back and laughed. Inalis ko na ang pagkakayakap ko sa kanya because I don't want my first day to spend inside the Guidance Counsellor's office for PDA. I smiled widely at him.

"You never told me na dito ka nag-aaral,"

"You never asked." He answered non-chalantly. Both of are grinning with each other like an idiot. My parents enrolled me here because it's a prestigious university. But the thought of them deciding to shove me into this school is because Ate Annie is studying here stayed at the back of my mind. It didn't occured to me na nasa iisang university pala sila nag-aaral ni Harry.

On our way to my room, we couldn't stop talking and grinning to each other. Harry is glad to know that he'd be my company for most of the days since he's just around. He showed me his schedule and pointed me towards his room so I can visit him during his vacant period.

Nang makarating na kami sa room ko, some girls emerged from inside and stared at Harry longer then necessary. Then they started smiling like terrible flirts I couldn't hide the scowl on my face. Pinapaalala nila sa akin si Rowena.

Harry ruffled my hair. "You're really cute when you're mad." He said, smiling at me.

I slap his chest lightly. "Gustong-gusto mo naman, " I muttered.

"Of course! Nothing can boost a man's confidence than knowing he's attractive to opposite sex around his age."

I glared at him.

"On the other hand, I was just joking." He raised two of his arms as if to surrender. Napailing nalang ako.

"I have to go inside." I said when I spotted a middle-aged guy wearing a uniform heading towards the room's direction.

"Okay. Can I meet you later?"

I nodded without hesitation. I didn't even considered that I have a curfew and my bodyguard must probably be around. It seems to introduce a new adventure to Harry and me. How to escape my bodyguard 101.

"Okay, I'll see you on the quadrangle?"

"Sure." Before I could react, he leaned closer and placed a chaste kiss on my forehead. I started sweating like a pig when the professor throw us a dirty look. Tatawa-tawang umalis si Harry habang namumula naman akong pumasok sa room.