"Did you get it?"
Zillian was busy teaching me about our lesson awhile ago in Mathematics. I'm having a hard time understanding it.
Lagi na lang hinahanap ang x at y. Hindi na natapos-tapos. Nakakaasar.
He continued explaining when he didn't get a response from me.
Tumuon ang mga mata ko sa mga kaklase kong nag-aayos na ng kanilang mga gamit, handa nang umuwi. 'Yung iba naman ay nakalabas na ng room kanina pa.
"Quinn!"
Nahagip ng paningin ko si Torri na nakatayo sa may pintuan ng silid-aralan namin. Siya 'yung parating tinu-tutor ni Zillian.
My gaze went back to him when he lowered the ballpen he was using to the desk. I saw how Torri's face lit up as Zillian looked at her direction. She waved her hand in the air and showed a sweet smile.
Zillian stood up and walked towards her. Hindi ko na narinig ang mga pinag-usapan nila ngunit nakita kong natawa si Zillian habang kinakausap niya si Torri. Paminsan-minsan nga ay hinahampas pa siya ni Torri sa braso.
Bumagsak ang tingin ko sa papel na nasa harapan ko, kinuha ko ang ballpen na ginamit ni Zillian at sinubukang magsolve ng mga problems na ginawa niya.
I immediately flipped my paper when I felt Zillian's presence in front of me. He was running his fingers through his hair while looking at me confusingly. His brows snapped together as he glanced at my paper.
"Nagets mo ba 'yung tinuro ko kanina?"
Sinulyapan ko muna si Torri na nakatayo pa rin sa pwesto niya habang hinihintay si Zillian, mukhang naiinip na siya dahil panay ang tingin niya sa kaniyang pambisig na relo.
"Oo, nakuha ko na. Umalis ka na." Pagtataboy ko sa kaniya. His eyes flickered with hesitation.
"Are you sure? Pwede pa naman kitang turuan ulit." He insisted and put his right hand inside the pocket of his pants.
"I can do it and she needs you more."
He was still hesitant but I eagerly pushed him away. His eyes never left mine even though he was already outside the room with Torri. He was staring at me through the classroom's window.
Sinigurado ko munang nakaalis na sila bago ko isinilid ang lahat ng mga gamit kong nakapatong sa ibabaw ng desk ko sa loob ng bag na dala ko. Isinukbit ko na ito at lumabas ng room.
Tahimik lamang akong naglalakad sa hallway, marami pa ring nakakalat na estudyante na mukhang nagsisiuwian na rin naman pero ang ilan ay mga tumatambay pa.
I took my phone out of my pocket to find out what time is it already. Ten minutes pa bago ang dapat na uwian namin.
Honestly, I don't understand our last subject teacher sometimes. Minsan, grabe siya mag-overtime. Minsan naman maagang nagdidismiss, katulad na lang ngayong araw. He has his own schedule, the heck.
Since I still have ten minutes left, I decided to go to our canteen first to buy a chocolate drink. I'm craving for it right now.
Siguro naman, wala pa si Kuya Danny o kung nandito naman na, hindi naman siya maghihintay nang matagal dahil mabilis lang naman ang pagbili ko.
Bahagya akong gumilid upang hindi mabangga noong may matanawan akong kaklase kong tumatakbo patungo sa aking direksyon.
I lifted an eyebrow when Halton stopped in front of me.
"Freinne, nakita mo ba si Quinn?" He questioned while catching his own breath.
Nagpalinga-linga muna ako sa magkabilang gilid ko bago siya binalikan ng tingin.
"Mukha ba akong hanapan ng mga nawawalang tao?" I sarcastically replied that made him scratched the back of his head.
"Hindi, pero kayo ang laging magkasama, e'. Nagseselos na nga ako." Ngumuso pa siya at binigyan ako ng nagmamakaawang tingin.
Pinigilan kong mapairap sa hangin dahil sa kaniyang inaasta.They're really friends, they're both annoying.
"He's with Torri. Tutoring session." I informed, a smile tugged on his lips.
"Alright! Thank you!" Sigaw niya at tumakbo na naman nang mabilis patungo sa dulo ng hallway.
As what I planned earlier, I headed to the canteen and bought a chocolate drink. I put the straw in the box of the chocolate drink and took a sip.
Nakakapit ang isang kamay ko sa kaliwang strap ng bag ko. Ang isang kamay naman ay hawak ang iniinom ko habang hinahanap ang sasakyan namin sa parking lot ng university.
I instantly approached the van and opened the door to go inside. Confusion filled me when I didn't see Maggie.
I leaned on my seat before talking to Kuya Danny. He started maneuvering the van to our home.
"Kuya Danny, where's Maggie?"
He glanced at me from the rear view mirror and replied.
"Sinabihan niya po akong ihahatid na lang siya pauwi ng kasintahan niya, Ma'am."
Tumango na lamang ako at itinuon ang pansin sa labas ng bintana ng sasakyan.
My lips twitched when I suddenly remembered our lesson in Math. I brought out my notebook and stared at that for a long time.
Hindi ko pa naman talaga nakukuha 'yung itinuro niya sa akin kanina. Sinabi ko lang namang alam ko na upang umalis na siya at samahan niya na si Torri.
She needs him more, anyway.
Bumaba kaagad ako ng sasakyan noong huminto na ito at naiparada na ni Kuya Danny. Tahimik ang kabahayan noong pumasok ako. Nakabukas naman ang mga ilaw ngunit wala akong marinig na ingay.
Iginala ko ang paningin ko pero hindi ko rin nakita sina Maggie, siguro nasa kwarto na.
A helper went out of the kitchen area, holding two tiny round rugs. She gave me a small smile when she noticed me looking at her.
"Bakit po, Ma'am?"
"Nasaan po 'yung mga tao, Ate Luz?" Seryosong tanong ko, mababatid din ang pagtataka sa aking boses.
Kumunot ang noo niya ngunit napataas din kaagad ang dalawang kilay noong parang biglang may naalala.
"Naghabilin po sila kanina at sabi po ay pupunta raw po sila ng mall. Doon na lang daw po sila kakain ng hapunan, kasama rin po 'yung boyfriend ng ate mo. Dumaan din kanina rito, Ma'am." Mahabang paliwanag niya.
I just thanked her for answering and headed to my room. I took off my uniform and hanged it on the wooden rack of my room. I changed my clothes and laid on the bed. I stared at the white ceiling while letting my mind to fly.
My eyes rounded when I realized that I have a lot of homeworks needed to do. I got up and sat in front of my study table.
I did some research for the answers to the unfamiliar questions in our homework in History.
Hindi naman 'yon naituro ng teacher namin sa subject na 'yon. Tiningnan ko tuloy ang mga susunod na lessons namin at napagtantong doon kinuha ng teacher namin ang mga hindi pamilyar na tanong.
Hindi ko na lang isinulat ang nasa libro dahil parehas lang naman 'yon sa sagot sa Google.
It took me hours to finish all of them. I looked outside the window. The night finally came. It was quiet. The silvery moon is dotted with the dark blue night sky. The moon isn't alone tonight. Stars are everywhere, glistening luminously.
"What does it feel like to be in there? Is it peaceful? Quiet? Would I be able to find contentment there?"
I murmured to myself while still staring at the sky. I feel like, the heaven is inviting me to go there.
Before I get drowned on my own thoughts, I just focused on putting back my things inside my bag.
Hinanap ko ang hair tie ko pagkatapos. Nakita ko ito sa ilalim ng unan ko. Nagtali muna ako ng buhok bago bumaba sa hapag-kainan.
"Kakain na po kayo, Ma'am?"
Pumasok din si Ate Luz sa dining room. I silently nodded at her. I was about to get a plate and utensils when she insisted. Siya na rin ang kumuha ng ulam para sa akin at inilapag iyon sa aking harapan.
"Salamat po." Sambit ko, ngumiti naman siya.
"Maiwan ko na po kayo." Paalam niya at nagsimulang maglakad.
"Kumain na rin po kayo. Sabay na po kayo sa 'kin." Pag-aaya ko bago pa siya makalabas ng pintuan.
Lumingon naman siya at ilang beses na umiling. "Ay, h'wag na po. Mamaya na po kami."
Nasa kalagitnaan ako nang pagkain ko noong magvibrate ang phone ko na nakapatong sa ibabaw ng lamesa, malapit lang sa akin. Dinala ko kasi ito kanina pagkababa.
I reached for my phone and unlocked it using my fingerprint. There's a notification on the status bar. I gently pressed it.
It was a dm from Zillian.
Napunta lang sa message request ang dm niya dahil hindi ko pa naman siya ipina-follow back.
He followed me the day before yesterday. Hindi ko nga alam kung paano niya nahagilap ang account ko. Pero sabagay, nakapublic naman kasi 'yon. Kaunti lang naman ang mga followers, mostly boys from the university. I don't have any photos on my feed. I archived them all.
I sighed heavily before visiting Zillian's account. He has a lot of followers but he was just following least amount of people.
Marami siyang mga post pero wala ni isa ang sarili niya. Wala akong makita. Mostly, mesmerizing sceneries. Some were cinematic and macro photography. I must admit, he's really good at photography.
His profile photo was just plain black and he also doesn't have any bio. When I followed him back, his username appeared on the notification panel again. He sent a message again.
I couldn't do anything but to read his chats.
quinnserrano: Faye, Faye, Faye.
quinnserrano: Hurra! She finally followed me back after one century.
Isinubo ko muna ang kutsarang may lamang kanin at ulam bago nagtipa ng irereply sa kaniya.
freinnelegazpi: Oa.
He instantly replied to me. Wow, he wasn't doing something?
quinnserrano: So cold. Gininaw tuloy ako bigla, I need a hug.
Napairap ako sa kawalan pagkabasa ko ng reply niya. Kung ano-ano na namang kaartehan ang pinagsasabi niya.
freinnelegazpi: Yakapin kita sa leeg.
quinnserrano: You want me dead! You're so mean. :<
Hindi ko na nireplyan ang huli niyang mensahe dahil masasayang lang ang oras ko. Wala namang kabuluhan ang mga pinagsasabi niya sa akin. Tinapos ko na lang ang pagkain ko at hindi ko na hinintay na si Ate Luz o kung sino mang kasama sa bahay ang maghugas ng pinagkainan ko.
I dried my hand using the hand towel that I found earlier. I pushed the sliding door and went out of the house. Nasa likurang bahagi na ako ng bahay kung nasaan ang garden at pool area.
I embraced myself when I felt the cold wind caressing my body. I was just wearing a satin sleeveless top and a black dolphin shorts.
Nag-Indian sit ako sa pabilog na hammock chair na gawa sa rattan na nakapuwesto sa tapat ng pool. Sumandal ako dahil hindi naman ito masakit sa likod, may mga unan kasi.
I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at the night sky. Itinaas ko ang aking mga kamay at pilit sinusungkit ang nagkikinangang mga bituin kahit pa malabo naman talagang mangyari 'yon.
Isang tao lang naman ang naaalala ko kapag napapatingin sa kalangitan. Siya lang.
My attention went to the corner of the garden, filled with different types of plants and flowers.
I don't know what happened but I unexpectedly saw myself smiling while chasing a little girl on that part of the garden.
I tried to make a smile but ended up failing. I held my chest when I feel like it was ripping apart.
"Iyah will never leave Ate Aria's side. Iyah loves you so much." I whispered into the thin air.
She was the one who told me that. I still remembered her sweet words towards me.
Walang emosyon akong natawa.
You just broke your promises to me, Iyah. Pero kasalanan ko naman, e'.
Hindi ko namalayang namamalisbis na pala ang mga luha mula sa mga mata ko. Agad ko itong pinalis at mariing pumikit noong maramdaman kong mas lalong lumamig ang kapaligiran.
When the mosquitoes started sucking my skin, I decided to leave the garden to go back inside. I heard chuckles coming from the living room. They're already here.
"Pwede pala natin ipasok 'yung boyfriend mo sa kompanya pagkatapos niyang grumaduate." Dad assured.
Mom agreed on him and caressed Maggie's hair.
Dad and Mom owned a real estate corporation. They also invest in various companies.
"Yes, Dad. Since Nick's family also owned a company. You can be partners with them someday." Maggie dictated. She looks excited.
"Bakit hindi na ngayon kaagad, 'di ba?" Mas lalong lumaki ang ngiti ni Maggie dahil sa sinabi ng aming ama.
"Pwede naman. I'll tell Tita and Tito about it, Dad!"
Dad and Maggie continued chatting. Mom eyes drifted on me, she noticed my presence. She lifted a brow and strictly crossed her arms over her chest. Natigil sa pag-uusap sina Maggie at saka sinundan kung saan nakatuon ang tingin ni Mom.
Kumunot ang noo ni Dad, mukhang naguguluhan.
"Why are you still awake?"
Naglaho na ang mga tawa niya at naging seryoso na ang pananalita.
I didn't open my mouth to answer him. Narinig ko na lang ang mahinang tawa ni Maggie.
"Maybe she's waiting for us." She concluded.
Hindi uli ako nagsalita at tuloy-tuloy na nagtungo sa hagdan upang umakyat na sa aking kwarto.
"Mom! She's really rude." Inis na wika ni Maggie sa tonong nagsusumbong.
I didn't turn around when Mom's voice thundered.
"Come back here, Freinne! Who are you to turn your back on us?!"
Their assumptions were all wrong. Hindi ko naman sila hinihintay. Nagkataon lang na kalalabas ko lang din ng garden noong dumating sila.
I just took a shower and did my night skin care routine before laying on my bed. Nakipagtitigan na lang ako sa kisame hanggang sa dalawin na ako ng antok.
"Bring out one whole sheet of paper. We're having a quiz." Our Math teacher dictated.
Panay reklamo galing sa aking mga kaklase ang naririnig ko habang naglalabas ng papel. Gusto ko rin sanang magreklamo dahil hindi siya nagsabi na magkakaroon kami ng quiz ngayon.
Napasapo ako sa aking noo habang tinitingnan ang solution na sinusulat ko. Alam kong maling-mali na ang mga iyon, paniguradong babagsak ako. About sa lesson namin kahapon 'yung quiz, hindi ko pa naman naintindihan 'yon.
I was about to stand up to pass my paper to our teacher when Zillian showed up beside me. Kanina lang ay nasulyapan ko siya sa row four, doon kasi siya nakaupo.
My brows automatically furrowed when he suddenly grabbed my paper from my hand.
"Ako na magpapasa." Bago pa man ako makaangal ay lumakad na siya papunta sa harapan.
Dumukdok na lang ako sa desk ko noong makaalis na ang teacher namin.
"Faye." Umangat ang tingin ko noong marinig ko ang pagtawag niya.
Nakangiti siya at may hawak na namang camera. Sumimangot ako at inirapan siya ngunit mahina lamang siyang tumawa.
"Bakit hindi mo na ako nireplyan kagabi?" Para pa siyang nagtatampo. Naupo siya sa tabi ko at ibinaba ang camera sa desk.
Hinawakan niya ang likod ng ulo niya at nagsalita na naman. Hindi talaga siya napapagod sa kakadakdak. Parang sirang plaka.
"I waited until midnight! This is my proof." His face went closer to mine.
"Look." He pointed at the dark circles under his eyes.
Inangat ko ang kamay ko upang hawakan ang kaniyang mukha. Itinulak ko ito papalayo sa akin dahil napakalapit niya kanina. Lalo lamang siyang napanguso.
"Required bang kausapin kita?"
Patuloy lang siya sa pangungulit, napahinto lamang siya noong dumating na ang teacher namin para sa susunod na subject.
"Quinn Serrano..." Our Math teacher was announcing our scores from the quiz she gave us yesterday. My hands were cold and trembling.
"You got 10 out of 20 items, Mr. Serrano. What happened?"
Nagtataka akong tumingin sa pwesto ni Zillian. He just shrugged and shifted his attention to Halton who's sitting beside him.
How did he get 10? It's so unusual. I mean, kapag may exams kami, perfect siya o hindi naman kaya, may kaunti lang na mali.
My lips parted when our teacher announced my score.
"Congrats, Miss Legazpi! You got 20! You're the highest." She congratulated.
I walked towards her to get my paper. Noong nakaupo na uli ako ay sinuri ko ito. This not my handwriting! But it has my name on it at the top left corner. Hindi rin ganito ang papel na ginamit ko kahapon, hindi sa akin 'to.
"Congrats, Faye!" Zillian greeted and pinched my cheeks.
Pinakatitigan ko siya nang mabuti at tila naguluhan naman siya sa inasta ko.
"Do you have anything to do with this?" I showed him the paper. He innocently glanced on it and shook his head.
I gritted my teeth and gave him a blank expression.
"Don't lie. Alam kong hindi ko kayang maperfect ang quiz na 'to." Mariin kong sabi.
Napakagat siya sa kaniyang labi at umiwas ng tingin. He puffed out a loud breath before muttering something.
"I switched our papers."