Chapter Five

The rest of the days of the summer truly flew so fast. Parang sa isang iglap lang ay balik-eskwela na kaagad.  I yawned lazily as I stretched my body after I woke up from the deafening alarm from my cell phone. It was still six in the morning and I feel like sleeping again. First day pa naman kaya hindi required na maaga lahat ng estudyante. 

I stayed in bed for a few minutes or so, checking Instagram. Minsan lang ako nagu-upload roon. Most of the time, I post memorable quotes that I've taken from books, kasama na rin ang mga pictures ng mga annotated books ko. At dahil mas maraming photos about books ko roon, I also refer it as a Bookstagram. I wouldn't do it if I had no reason to, of course. There are many people who follow my account because they like the way I highlight and color some parts of the book. Come to think of it, para akong nagpo-promote ng produkto na walang kapalit.

Nang mapagtanto kong twenty minutes na ang dumaan, I decided to get ready already. I grabbed my towel from the closet and went straight to the CR to go shower. Medyo inaantok pa ako pero alam kong kailangan kong pagisingin ang diwa ko para naman hindi ako ma-mental block mamaya sa klase. Though dahil first day pa naman,  it's more likely to have a lot of orientations than classes. Siguro'y bukas pag magsisimula ang klase at kapag tapos na ang orientations. And by tomorrow, I should stop being lazy.

I immediately blow-dried my hair after finishing my shower and feeling satisfied. Medyo nakaka-disappoint lang na wala man lang kurba sa aking dibdib kahit na fitted cardigan naman ang suot ko. It was color white. My hands were in my chest as if umaasa ng isang himala na biglang magkaroon ng pagbabago roon at napangiwi ako sa aking sarili nang tingnan ko ang aking repleksyon sa salamin. I wish I have a cleavage.

I wore it with white sneakers and ragged, faded jeans. After that, I also applied some basic makeup; liptint, check tint and a bit of eye shadow. Despite sa white skin color ko, I still wish that I was morena. Wala lang, I just find morena women so beautiful and seems so unique.

When I was finally feeling satisfied with how I looked as I looked at my own reflection in the mirror, I grabbed my faded pink shoulder bag and went down the stairs. Rinig na rinig ang bawat yapak ko sa staircase at iyon marahil ang dahilan kung bakit napaangat ng tingin si Mommy galing sa dining area dito sa kinaroroonan ko.

“Good morning, Aye.”

“Good morning, mom.” I simply kissed her on the cheek and she does the same. She's already wearing a business suit and I guess, she'll go together with dad at work. She's currently preparing for a lunch box. For her and Dad.

I almost taken aback when I saw dad sitting there and eating breakfast. Our dining table is a long rectangular shape as if there are a lot of members of this family (minsan kasi, kapag hindi sa mansion ay may mga tendency na dito nag-gather ang buong pamilya for random get together. Minsan din ay dito namin magpipinsan mas prefer mag bond lalo na kapag wala si Auntie Cadence or si Lolo sa mansion).

Dad was on the head table and when his gaze darted at me, I awkwardly smile. Like c'mon, I think it was a week ago since I'd last seen him spent a meal with us.

“Are you going now?” Dad asked me as I pulled the seat just beside him.

Tumango ako. “Yes, dad. After ko mag-breakfast.”

“Are things fine now? How about your allowance?”

“There's still a lot left in my card.”

“Good. Sabihan mo lang ako kung ubos na ang allowance mo. I don't want you to go to your school without money, Aye.”

That's the good thing about him. I know it's a bit materialistic but who am I to decline? Responsibilidad niya naman ako at wala pa akong ibang sourge of income kundi ang mga magulang ko. And perhaps that is his way to fill the void he always draws between us. I am not contented but still, I smiled. “Thanks a lot, Dad.”

“Aye, baka late akong makakauwi mamaya because I'd be probably busy at work today. Ikaw lang mag-isa mamayang gabi pero kung gusto mo, you can call your cousins to come over. If not, you can just call me if something happens, okay?” wika ni Mommy sa tapat ko habang dini-dip ang sauce sa bacon.

I nod. “I will be fine, mom. Don't worry.”

“Hmm, right. Aye, I'll drop you off to the Luther now. I don't want you to get late.”

“Yes, Dad.”

Nang matapos kami sa aming breakfast, Mom quickly washed the dishes as dad retouched his looks while waiting for mom to get done. Walang maid rito sa bahay para gumawa ng ibang household chores namin. Though we have a driver but I only let him accompany me when Dad isn't around. Our driver is also dad's right hand so he can be trusted. Kabaliktaran roon sa mansion na kung saan bawat sulok yata ng bahay ay may naka-assign na maid. There were even private nurses and nutritionists. My grandpa is just so health conscious for the family which is a good thing. It takes us away from any form of illness.

Nang matapos na si Mommy sa kaniyang ginagawa, the three of us got into the car and mom was seated beside dad on the shutgon seat while I am in the backseat. Hindi naman ganoon kalayo ang LIS mula dito sa La Valle kung saan kami nakatira. It was only a few blocks away from it and now that the car stops exactly in front of the front gate, I could clearly see the letters that has been written above the arc.

‘LUTHER INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL’

Nang makita ko na ang mararaming estudyante ay hindi ko alam kung bakit nakaramdam ako ng kung anong excitement out of the blue. When I got out of the car, I waved goodbye to my both parents before I began to pace toward the gate.

When I detected my ID at the gate, I immediately went inside the campus. There were a lot of students walking in and out of the school together with their friends or even a circle of friends. There are also people like me who walk alone and I guess most of them are freshmen and transferees. Malinaw naman ang mga mata ko kahit sa malayo pero kahit ni-isa, wala man lang akong nakitang pamilyar na mukha. Kaya naman, naglakad-lakad na lamang akong mag-isa at tumungo sa senior high building.

“Woah, ang aga mo ngayon, ah?

I immediately turned around when I saw Arin just steps away from me and she was wearing a pale yellow loose crop top paired with a fitted denim skirt and black sandals.

“Arin!” I exclaimed. “Kanina ka pa?”

“Medyo?” she answered. “Wow, ang aga, baka naman pang-first day of school lang 'yan?”

“Tsk. Maaga kasi si Dad kaya ganoon.”

“Hmm, pero bukas alam kong male-late kana.”

Mahina kong sinapak ang tagiliran ni Arin habang natawa ng kaunti. “By the way, where's Ash?”

Agad naman itong lumapit sa akin—sa aking tenga at may kung anong binulong. “Nasa coffee shop sa tabi. Actually nakita ko siya kaninang may kasabay na namang ibang babae doon sa coffee shop!”

“Tsk. Hayaan mo na 'yon. That's his life anyway.”

“Eh kasi naman, ‘di ko lang maiwasan.”

There was a nearby coffee shop sa LIS. Ang may-ari nuon ay relatives lang rin sa isa sa mga shareholders dito sa school na'to. It was pretty nice business since nasa tabi ng school, a lot of students would often hang out there lalo na tuwing tanghalian. Especially when the prices of their business are student-friendly. Minsan, kapag nagsasawa na ako sa itsura ng library namin, lumalabas lang ako ng campus at tumutungo roon para mag-review.

“Eh kasi naman di'ba, kakasimula palang ng classes and he already meet a new one? Isang week palang after nila mag-break nuong Sophie na iyon. Anyare na sa kaniya ngayon?” Her forehead furrowed in a confusion about Ash's not unusual habit anymore. “Nakaranas na rin ba siya ng falling inlove? Hindi kasi halata e.”

I only shrugged. “Dunno. Seems like he was just playing around but, what else can we do? Hindi naman natin siya mapipigilan sa mga ginagawa niya. Sa tingin ko'y wala nang makakapagpabago sa kaniya.”

“Yeah right.”

Arin and I paced toward the campus' hallways. Dito sa senior high building, maraming makikitang mga senior high students na obviously, naghahanap sa kani-kanilang section. Ganoon rin kami ni Arin. We took nearly five minutes lang nang mahanap na namin ang aming pangalan. There are two sections in every strands at dahil siksikan sa bawat classrooms dahil kaniya-kaniyang paghahanap sa mga names, natagalan kami.

I'm not sure why, but suddenly Ryden sprang to mind. I believe he to be either my age or older. Although, ang laki ng difference namin sa height, I still think he's guy my age. He has a smooth features. I could remember him when we met in bookstore, napansin ko kung gaano kakinis ang itsura niya. Posible kayang dito siya mag-aaral? There were really a lot of transferees, It was pretty a huge crowd so I can't try on looking for him or if ever he's actually truly here. 

Students are staying in the middle of the hallways is so suffocating even though there's an aircon. Lalo na't pamilyar si Arin sa halos lahat ng estudyante rito at ako ay hindi. I'm familiar with them, but we've never interacted.

“Ang init dito, naghahalo ang amoy!”

Kinuha ko ang alcohol sa aking nag at ini-spray sa hangin. Nase-sense ko kasi na may amoy putok yata? I know it's normal but I couldn't take the smell of it. Nakakahilo!

“Buti pa, lumabas muna tayo. I think I need fresh air.”

“Buti pa nga. Tara doon sa bench.” Pagdarag ni Arin sa akin kasama siya palabas ng senior high building.

Arin decided to leave the building since classes hadn't yet begun and we would be remaining in the nearby school park. Patuloy lang si Arin sa pagbati bawat acquaintance na kaniyang nakakasalubong kahit noong nakaupo na kami sa isang bench.  Seriously? She's a friend to all of them? How did she do that?

Pumwesto na kami roon sa bakanteng bench. On this park side of the academy, there are a lot of trees lined up until the next building. I couldn't count its distance since I was never good at math so I'mma just say, it fills the gap between the two buildings. Around the trees lined up, there are benches around it and different students were being sitted. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam kapag nagre-relax dito kasi sobrang refreshing sa feelings ang mga puno sa paligid. It also helps the suffocation I felt a while ago. Para akong nabunutan ng tinik.

“What time ba magsisimula ang orientation?” I asked Arin as I leaned my arms at the back of the bench and stare above the tree as the leaves danced while the wind blows. It made a soothing sound especially when the leaves kissed each other.

“Ewan ko pero siguro mamaya? From what I heard somewhere, uunahin nilang i-orient ang mga freshmen at sophomores before ang seniors. Para daw hindi magiging mahaba ang programs for every students.”

Tumango ako. “So that means, mamayang hapon pa tayo? Gosh, I'm sure I'll get bored here.”

“Don't worry, bukas naman ang library.”

“How about the music room?”

She stared at me for a moment and then shook her head and smirked. “Hmm, later.”

I saw how she blushed when I mentioned that.

“Gwen! Anong oras daw magsisimula ang orientation sa senior high?” Gwen, which is a vice president of the school council passed by and I guess, she just arrived and will be heading to the auditorium where the orientation is being held.

“Uh, after ng junior high. Basta, ten o'clock to twelve.”

“Okay thanks,” says Arin.

Ngumiti lang iyong so Gwen at tumakbo na patungong auditorium.

“I guess, we need to have something to eat.”

“You always need something to eat, though.” I chuckled.

With her hands in her tummy, she says, “Hinding-hindi talaga ako magsasawang kumain.”

Kahit sa cafeteria, marami pa ring estudyante na naroon though buti naman at hindi katulad sa senior high building na nakaka-soffucate because I don't know, most of the students here already do diet and are never fond of eating.  I told Arin to order food for us whatever she likes. I would still eat them anyway.

“Hintayin mo lang ako sa table natin. Mabilis lang ako, okay?” Paalam nito at tumango naman ako. Kaya naman naghanap na lang ako ng vacant table para makapag-pwesto kami habang nililibot ko ang aking paningin. When I found one, I immediately paced towards there. Nasa gitna pa iyon pero I didn't mind nalant. Wala na kasing ibang vacant.

Nung sinulyapan ko ang counter, there were a lot of people crowding the area, and most of them are girls and I don't know why. Until minutes have passed and Arin hasn't still gotten back. Bakit kaya ang daming naroon? That was a question in my mind. Naisip ko naman si Arin. Grabe, ang tagal niya naman makapili ng pagkain. Akala ko ba nagugutom siya?

I tried not to get my attention on whatever that crowd was so I checked my phone and went to my Instagram account. Doon sa aking mga DM, I could see a lot of people messaging me on what are my thoughts about that certain book or when would I upload my next book review. I replied to most of them with ‘maybe on the weekends’ and for those who asked for my thoughts, I replied with an honest thought. Such as, “you should read that, it's a good book” and “that book broke my heart but still happy for the ending.”

Doon ko napagtanto na halos fifteen minutes na ang nakalipas at hindi pa rin nakabalik si Arin.  I got tired of waiting so I put my phone back in my bag and I decided to go to her and look how she was doing if she was almost done ordering.

Ready na sana akong umalis roon sa aking pwesto nang pagtayo ko, suddenly, a cold sensation filled my system. As in literal. Like it wasn't just a flowery description but it's true. Halos malaglag ang panga ko nang maramdaman ko ang bawat ice cube na natapon sa aking tiyan. Gosh, parang gusto kong magmura. Someone just splashed a cold coke at my white freaking cardigan and I'm pretty sure that it will stain and I would have to bear with it for the whole day!

“Oh shit!” I heard him muttered a curse and another I don't know, my jaw again fell when I realized who was it. The one and only Ryden Saldivar, ang one of the so-called heartthrobs in town and might as well pati na rin sa LIS.

“E-Excuse me.” And that was it, he ran away as if nothing happened. And that ruined my day more. What?! Alam kong pretty known siya but he can't just do things like that! Really? What? He's not going to say sorry for what he did? WHAT A FREAKING RUDE!