Chapter 17

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Chapter 17

"Malapit na graduation! Hello, college!" Ngumisi si Nicus at inakbayan si Darwin.

"Ang tanong, ga-graduate ka ba?" Pambabara ni Tina na nakatunganga lang sa kanila.

I shook my head when they started with their banters again. Lunch at nasa learning hall kami. Si Yesica lang ang wala sa amin, umuwi ito dahil may kailangan siyang kunin.

"Kamusta scholarship mo, Darwin?" Tiningnan ko si Darwin na nagbabasa ng libro.

Sa aming anim, sina Yesica at Darwin ang nag-e-excel sa klase. Kaya tutok si Darwin ngayon sa pag-aaral dahil gusto niyang makuha 'yong academic scholarship. We tried helping him in finding more scholarship offers para mas masuportahan niya ang sarili niya at makumbinsi ang mga magulang niyang hayaan siyang mag-aral dito at kumuha ng Nursing.

"Nilalakad pa 'yong isa, sana tanggapin. Kung sakaling hindi, mag-apply na ako sa student assistant. Kakayanin naman siguro ng oras ko 'yon." Tipid siyang ngumiti.

"Para sa pangarap, lahat gagawin. Huwag kang mag-alala, hahanap din kami ng paraan para makatulong pa sayo. Mag-summer job kaya tayo?" Si Tina.

We talked about that the whole lunch. Ang plano ay humanap ng summer job at 'yong sweldo ay iipunin at ibibigay sa kaniya. Tumanggi pa si Darwin dahil sobra na raw 'yon. We gave more ideas in order to help him and he keeps on resisting maybe because he doesn't want to bother us. But what are friends for?

"Hindi ka masusundo ni Axev?" Tanong ni Tina nang pauwi na kami.

Umiling ako habang nagtitipa sa cellphone. Alas kwatro ang uwian ngayon ni Axev kaso nga lang may group work silang gagawin kaya hindi niya ako maihahatid. It's fine because I'm used to it.

Kapag busy siya, hindi niya ako naihahatid at minsan hindi kami sabay nagla-lunch. But when he's free, we spend a lot of time with each other. Mas abala siya ngayon dahil malapit na ang finals at kami rin, malapit na ang final exam. Two weeks from now.

"Hindi pero daanan ko raw siya sa learning hall." Tugon ko.

Tumango siya at saglit kinausap 'yong isa naming kaklase. Naunang umuwi si Yesica. Iyong mga lalaki naman ay as usual, nasa computer shop. I'm not sure if Darwin is with them though.

"What's wrong with Yesica and Nicus? Nag-away na naman ba sila?" Tina muttered out of nowhere while we're walking towards the main campus.

"Ewan ko. Hindi naman nagpapansinan. Hindi ba talaga mag-jowa ang mga 'yon?"

"Hindi naman daw. We tried talking to Yesica, right? Alam mo namang hindi 'yon nagsasabi ng mga problema niya." Tina shrugged.

Nang makarating kami sa learning hall na katabi ng parking lot ay agad nahanap ng mata ko si Axev na kausap si Brett. Nasa isang lamesa sila at kasama ang mga kaklase niya. They seem to be discussing about something important. Nanatili si Tina sa labas ng learning hall nang nagpasya akong lumapit kay Axev.

Naglalakad pa lang ako palapit nang mapalingon siya sa gawi ko. I smiled and waved at him. May sinabi siya sa mga kaklase niya bago lumapit sa akin. I reached my hand out for him to hold and he immediately grabbed it. He smiled a little at me.

"Busy?" I asked and glanced at his classmates.

Some were looking at us but Brett being the playful one, smirked at me and acted like he's disgusted with me and Axev, holding hands. I chuckled and swung my gaze back to Axev.

"Oo, pasahan kasi sa Monday, e. Uuwi ka na ba o may gagawin ka pa?" He asked.

"Daan lang kami ni Tina sa may Saint Paul then uuwi na ako. May quiz kami bukas." Ngumuso ako.

"Tawagan mo ako pagka-uwi mo, ha. Usap tayo mamaya pagka-uwi ko pero 'di rin magtatagal para makapag-review ka."

"Okay." I shrugged. "And you should sleep early too. Halatang puyat ka."

Tumango siya at pinisil ang pisngi ko. I glared at him and tousled his already messy hair. Hinigpitan niya ang hawak sa kamay ko at kinusot ang mata. Mukhang inaantok pa. I know he slept late last night because he needed to finish a design.

"I'll go then. Tawagan kita later. Ingat din sa pag-uwi." I smiled at him.

Tumango siya at binitawan ang kamay ko. I wanted to kiss him even just on the cheeks but there were students around so I just waved my hand. Nang makabalik ako kay Tina ay sobrang laki ng ngisi niya.

"Sana all," pasaring niya habang naglalakad na kami palabas.

I rolled my eyes at her. I'm not sure if there is still something going on with her and Camden but I saw them the other day. Nag-uusap lang naman sila at agad ding umalis si Tina. Halos dalawang buwan na rin no'ng nalaman ko ang nangyari sa kanilang dalawa kaya nagulat ako nang makitang nag-uusap pa rin pala sila.

Ayoko siyang tanungin. If she's not telling me about it, it means she doesn't want to talk about it. Kaya mas gusto kong siya ang nagsasabi para kusa ang loob niyang magkwento.

Katatapos ko lang makipag-usap kay Axev at handa nang mag-review nang biglang tumawag si Yesica. She doesn't call when it's not important so I answered it immediately. Binuklat ko ang notebook at nilagay sa loudspeaker ang tawag.

"Hello, Yes?"

"Sien..." her trembling voice made me stop what I'm doing.

Kumunot ang aking noo at agad lumipad ang isip sa kung anong maaring problema niya.

"Yes? May problema ba?"

Narinig ko ang pagsinghap niya at ang munting hagulhol. Napakurap ako at pinatay ang loudspeaker ng phone. Nilagay ko ito sa taynga at tumayo.

"Sien, sorry. I... I just need someone to talk to. May ginagawa ka ba? Am I disturbing you?" She asked while forcing herself to stop crying.

Tiningnan ko ang notebook at sinara iyon. "No, no. You can talk to me, Yesica. Anong problema?"

"Sien, ang hirap..." she gasped. "Ang hirap ma-inlove sa tropa, Sien."

Umawang ang labi ko at hindi agad nakapagsalita. Something is already in the back of my mind. I had the hunch even before but still, I am surprised that it came from her.

"Si Nicus ba?" Mahina kong tanong.

Hindi siya sumagot at mas lalo ko lang narinig ang hagulhol niya. I heaved a deep breath and waited for her to say something. Kung hindi sila ni Nicus, then what's in between them? Kasi sa mata ko, they seem to be in a relationship but whenever I ask Yesica about it, she'd always deny it.

"Akala ko pareho kami ng n-nararamdaman. Mula Grade 11 Sien... sobrang lapit namin sa isa't isa... alam niyo naman 'yon 'di ba? I thought... I thought he likes me too... kasi gano'n naman ang pinapakita niya. Pero..."

The way she cries made my heart ache a little. I never heard this girl cry. Siya ang pinakatahimik sa amin pero kapag sila ni Nicus ang nag-uusap, she would transform to this chatty girl. And yes, I know very well how close they are. Kaya nga akala ko mag-jowa silang dalawa, e.

"Pero?"

"May... may nililigawan siya sa kabilang university, Sien..." tumigil siya nang pumiyok ang boses niya dahil sa pag-iyak.

Natigilan ako. Hindi ko alam 'yon. Wala naman kasing sinasabi si Nicus. Ano pa bang hindi ko alam sa kanila? But how would I know if they never open up like this? Kung tatanungin ko naman, they don't answer the truth.

"I didn't know about that. Kailan pa?" I asked.

"Last week... last week ko lang din nalaman."

Kaya pala hindi sila masyadong nagpapansinan. I have a lot in mind but I don't want to jump to conclusions especially that it's not my story.

"Yesica... alam ba ni Nicus na gusto mo siya?"

Wala akong narinig na tugon. She was just crying painfully. Kinagat ko ang labi at bumuntong hininga. May sasabihin pa sana ako nang sumagot siya.

"H-hindi niya alam..." she gasped.

Pumikit ako ng mariin at hinilot ang sentido.

"I never told him because I was scared... paano kung hindi pala kami pareho ng nararamdaman? I kept it for a long time... I told myself that I shouldn't yearn for more. Kuntento na ako sa kung anong mayro'n kami..."

"Why? Ano bang mayro'n sa inyo, Yes? Kasi kahit ako naguguluhan sa inyo, e."

"I don't know..." she answered in a trembling voice.

Shit. That's the problem then. How would you know where you stand when you don't know where your place is in the first place?

Kung gusto siya ni Nicus, then why would he court another girl? At ang gago, walang alam sa nararamdaman ni Yesica. Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko, kaya hindi muna ako nagsalita. I am still figuring out what to say.

"Ang hirap... ang sakit. B-bakit pa kasi ako umasa na pwede pa kaming higit pa sa kaibigan? Ang tanga naman..." she muttered.

"It's not your fault, Yesica. And I can't say that it's Nicus' fault too kasi wala siyang alam. Hindi niya pa rin ba alam hanggang ngayon na gusto mo siya? You're not on good terms right now?"

"I can't... I can't talk to him right now, Sien. Gusto niya akong kausapin pero ang sakit kasi... ayokong umamin... mas lalong ayokong umamin ngayon. I know I don't have the right to be angry but I can't help it."

Huminga ako ng malalim at tumango. "It's fine to feel that way, Yes. I'm glad that you opened up to me. Do you want me to talk to Nicus?"

"Hindi..." sagot niya agad. "Hayaan mo na... if he's happy with that girl then... I guess I can't do anything about it. I... I can deal with the pain... kaya ko naman."

But I know she was just telling that to comfort herself. Nag-usap pa kami ng matagal and at some point she stopped crying but her voice is still in pain. Nakiusap siyang huwag ko itong sabihin sa iba, kahit si Tina. I urged her to try to focus on the quiz tomorrow and we can talk about it another time if she feels like it.

Kinabukasan ay kasama ko si Axev sa lunch. Kinamusta niya ang quiz ko at iba pang school-related activities. This is one of the things I like about him, he always tries to know how's school for me and he even wants to help me with some of my activities. But I always decline because I know I can do it and I also don't want to bother him, especially that his load is heavy.

"Malapit na ang graduation niyo. Do you want me to help you review for your exams?" He looked at me.

I sipped on my shake and smirked. "Hindi na. Just kiss me good luck."

He glared at me and I chuckled. It's not like we didn't do it a lot of times already. But every time I would tease him about it, he would give me this reaction.

"You'll enroll for the BSMT program for college?" He raised his brows.

I nodded and pursed my lips. It's my final choice. He smiled and guzzled his drink.

"May plano ka bang mag-doctor? After your pre-med, do you plan on going to med school?"

Natigilan ako sa tanong niya. Ilang beses... ilang beses pumasok sa isip ko 'yan pero kahit sarili ko hindi ko binibigyan ng sagot. But deep inside me, I really want to study medicine but I just don't want to claim it for now.

"Hindi ko nga alam kung kakayanin ko ang Med Tech, mag-doctor pa kaya?" I laughed and shook my head.

His brows furrowed. Umiling siya at inabot sa akin ang tubig.

"May tiwala ka sa akin pero sa sarili mo wala?" Nagtaas siya ng kilay.

"Ang hirap kaya!" I pouted. "After college ko na lang iisipin 'yan. Med Tech muna."

He stared at me and tilted his head. "I trust you and I believe you can chase your dreams."

"Are you pressuring me?" I bit my lip, suppressing my smile.

Nagtaas siya ng kilay at binigyan ako ng nanghahamon na tingin.

"Parang ikaw yata 'yon." He smiled sarcastically.

I laughed when I remembered what that was about. He thinks I'm pressuring him for the summa cum laude but the truth is I'm not. I just believe that he can achieve that high. And I know that whatever the result will be, I will still believe in him the same.

Inakbayan ako ni Axev habang paalis na kami ng Fountain. Tumawid kami papunta sa university. Tumigil kami sa may refilling station para ipa-refill ang tumbler ko.

"Axev, pasok ka na ba?"

Napalingon ako sa babaeng tumigil sa may harap namin. It's Axev's classmate which I saw a lot of times hanging out around him. Nakatayo sa gilid ko si Axev at hinihintay akong matapos.

"Hindi. Ihahatid ko pa 'to." Axev replied and looked at me.

Iniwas ko ang tingin sa babae nang ibigay sa akin ang sukli ko. Axev put the tumbler in my bag and gave it to me.

"Ah, gano'n ba. Bilisan mo, may brainstorming pa tayo sa Histo." The girl laughed so I looked at her.

Nagkatinginan kami. She pursed her lips and glanced at Axev. Sinaluduhan niya ito bago naglakad palayo.

"May gagawin ka ba? Huwag mo na akong ihatid," I said.

Umiling siya at nilagay ang braso sa balikat ko. "Ewan ko kay Jam, mamayang alas tres pa naman 'yong Histo. Ihatid na kita."

Hindi na ako umangal at hinayaan siyang ihatid ako. Hindi naman sa nanghuhusga ako agad but I feel like that girl likes him. Or maybe just a wrong instinct? I shrugged it off before it ruins my mood.

"I'll call you after my class. Ingat ka sa pag-uwi mamaya." Axev said and pinched my cheeks softly.

Tinapik ko ang kamay niya at sinamaan siya ng tingin. He smiled and kissed the same cheek that he pinched. Agad tuloy akong napalingon sa paligid namin. Nasa harap kami ng Lecaros campus at maraming estudyante sa paligid pero mukhang wala namang nakapansin dahil mabilis lang 'yon.

"I thought you don't want kissing in the school?" Nagtaas ako ng kilay.

"Huwag ka nang magtanong at pumasok ka na."

"Let's kiss on the lips then," I smirked.

He groaned and clenched his jaw. Hinawakan niya ako sa balikat at ihinarap sa gate. Tumawa ako at nilingon siya.

"What? Chickening out, Evander?" I teased.

"I can't believe you're still a minor." He uttered in a deep growl.

Mas lalo akong tumawa. "What's wrong with that? I'll turn eighteen months from now. Come on."

"Dea," he warned. "Nakatingin ang guard, pumasok ka na."

I laughed and stopped teasing him. I waved at him before entering the gate. He was just watching me seriously. Hanggang sa makarating ako sa klasrum ay hindi mawala ang ngiti ko.

Yesica and Nicus are still not on good terms. Hindi pa rin sila nagpapansinan. Sinubukang tanungin ni Tina si Nicus kung anong problema pero sabi ni Nicus ay hayaan na lang daw. But when I asked him if he's courting anybody, umamin siya. Taga-Saint Paul daw at ilang linggo na rin daw niya itong nililigawan.

Yesica called me two times a week and I just comforted her. She's hurting and I'm the only one she can talk to so I'm trying hard to make it okay for her even just for a little.

Days passed by quickly. I got busy during the exam week and Axev was the same for their finals. After our exam, Axev and I went on a date. But since their exam week is also approaching, I gave him time for himself while I got busy again with the preparation for the graduation.

"Tita, hindi na po kailangan. Kahit simpleng dinner na lang kasama ang mga kaibigan ko."

Tita was insisting to hold a party for my graduation but I think that is not necessary. Kahit si Tito ay gusto rin 'yon kaso nga lang, hindi talaga pabor sa akin. I appreciate that they just want to celebrate for me but a simple dinner would be enough for me.

"Are you sure? Sien, don't think that this is bothersome for us." Si Tita.

"Hindi na talaga kailangan, Tita. I'm fine with a simple dinner." I said.

Tito sighed and nodded. "But we will hold a party for your eighteenth birthday. Deal?"

Ngumuso ako at saglit na nag-isip. Tumango ako at pumalakpak agad si Tita. I smiled and watched them talk about it. My birthday is months from now, less than two months to be specific. And I'm a little... excited about it.

Bumuga ako ng hangin habang pinapaypayan ang sarili. Katatapos lang ng praktis para sa graduation march pero hindi pa rin kami pinapauwi. Puno ang loob ng gym lalo't pinaghalo lahat ng strands.

I just can't stand the heat! May fan naman na nakapaligid pero hindi ako abot lalo't nasa gitna ako. Ang mahal mahal ng tuition pero walang aircon?

When they finally dismissed us, I immediately left my chair and went to find my friends. Si Darwin at Cadeo ang una kong nakita na may kausap na babae. Kumunot ang noo ko nang mapansing iyong crush ni Cadeo 'yon. The ABM student?

Bago pa ako makalapit ay umalis na 'yong babae. Tumatawa si Darwin nang makalapit ako sa kanila.

"Crush mo 'yon?" Tinapik ko sa balikat si Cadeo.

Hindi siya sumagot at nakasunod lang ang tingin nito sa babaeng palabas ng gym. Tiningnan ko si Darwin na tumatawa pa rin.

"Bakit?" I asked.

"Ang bobo ni Cadeo, pota. Nag-Hi siya do'n sa crush niya, si Era, tapos tinanong ng crush niya kung anong kailangan niya. Alam mo kung anong sinagot?" He laughed and looked at Cadeo.

"Ano?"

"Sabi niya, "Ah wala, gusto ko lang mag-Hi. Sana masarap ulam mo mamaya." Napakabobo ampota." Umiiling si Darwin habang nagkukwento, hindi matigil sa pagtawa.

I looked at Cadeo and couldn't help but laugh too. Did he seriously say that? Sinapak ni Cadeo si Darwin pero mas lalo lang itong tumawa.

"Tangina, kung hindi mo kasi ako tinulak. Nataranta ako, gago." Iritadong sinabi ni Cadeo.

And something hilarious like that shouldn't be kept. Nang malaman ito ni Tina ay halos gumulong siya sa kakatawa. She even cursed at Cadeo who's getting pissed by the minute. Sabay sabay kaming nag-lunch lalo't may praktis ulit mamayang hapon.

"Mamaya kapag nakita mo si Era, tanungin mo kung anong inulam niya." Pang-aasar ni Tina.

"Masaya ka?" Sarkastikong tanong ni Cadeo rito.

Nagtaas ng kilay si Tina habang nakangisi. "Oo, pinapasaya mo ang araw ko, e."

"Yieee, diya'n nagsisimula ang pag-ibig. Alam niyo ba 'yon?" Darwin smirked at them.

"Kadiri ka," ngumiwi si Tina.

I rolled my eyes as they started with their banters again. Yesica is silent even though Nicus isn't with us. May pupuntahan daw ito pero babalik din mamaya. I smiled at Yesica when she glanced at me. Tipid siyang ngumiti at nagtuloy sa pagkain.

Tita and Tito were both present during my graduation day. And Axev was there too, with his white button-down shirt and black trousers. After the picture taking, I went to them. May kausap sina Tita na kakilala nila kaya si Axev ang nilapitan ko.

He smiled when I stood in front of him. He put his hand on my waist lightly.

"Congratulations, baby."

"Thank you." I bit my lip and smiled. "Graduation mo naman ang susunod."

He smirked. "Matagal pa 'yon. Pero siguraduhin mong naro'n ka."

"Oo naman! I'll be there cheering for you. Axelis Evander Travieso Manzanar, summa cum laude!"

"Nakakatakot naman 'yan. Huwag mong unahan, malas daw kapag gano'n." He chuckled driving me to laugh too.

"O, sige, cum laude na lang para less pressure." I smirked.

He shook his head while grinning. He took his phone out and asked me to make a pose as he took pictures of me. We had a selfie too and while we're at it, tinawag kami ni Tita.

"Make a pose, you two. Kuhanan ko kayo ng picture." Nakangiting sinabi ni Tita.

Nilagay ni Axev ang kamay sa likuran ko. Ako nama'y bahagyang sumandal sa kaniya. I smiled as Tita took pictures of us. And I couldn't be happier to have people supporting me. It made me want to tear up but I didn't want to ruin the smiles.

Umalis din si Axev dahil may tinatapos pa silang project. Hindi pa bakasyon ng college lalo't may summer din sila. Tita reminded him to come for dinner. Ako naman ay sumama kina Tina sa pagdalo ng mga pagtitipon ng ibang kaklase namin.

It was seven in the evening when my friends came. Hindi lang kami ang naro'n dahil inimbita nina Tito ang ilang katrabaho nila. At maraming handa kaya hindi ko

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