SINCE IT’S THE FIRST DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, WALA PANG KLASE NGAYONG ARAW. Kahit ilang taon na ang lumipas ay ganito pa rin ang sitwasyon tuwing unang araw ng klase, no actually unang linggo ng semester.
Ipinakilala sa akin ni Jade ang mga kaibigan niya na sina Loidy, Betty at Rica. Gay si Loidy at nalaman ko rin na magpartner sila Betty at Rica. They said they’ve been together for almost two years now. Nagkukwentuhan kami habang nagpapalipas ng oras sa classroom – about the class, the professors and they were really interested about my life, aka work, before returning back to school. It was fun and easy to chat with them until they asked about the reason why I decided to drop out when I was already in my 4th year.
"True, Girl! Konting kembot na lang project study na tapos graduation na." Loidy leaned in, obviously interested in what I’m going to say.
I shrugged my shoulders, as I pushed away the guilt slowly brewing in my chest. "Ewan ko. Madami lang siguro talagang nangyari noong panahon na ‘yon kaya I decided to give myself a break."
"Like..." Loidy teased. Wala siyang balak na i-drop ang subject na ‘to.
Tinignan ko sila Jade, Betty at Rica pati sila ay naghihintay ng sagot ko. I don’t think na kaya ko nang sabihin sa kanila ang totoong rason. It’s just too personal and I’m scared to be judged.
I bit my lower lip, preparing myself to say my usual line.
"Like... heartbreak?" Si Rica ang nagpatuloy on my behalf.
Sabay-sabay kaming napatingin kay Rica.
"What? Eh di’ba sabi nila isa yan sa nakakasira ng pag-aaral?" Tumawa siya. I was surprised but I could tell that she's just kidding.
"Trulalu Girl!" Sabi ni Loidy habang itinaas ang kanang kamay para magthumbs-up.
"Bakit, sapat na rason ba yun para magquit sa school? Dahil lang sa isang lalaki isasakripisyo mo yung future mo?" Inosenteng tanong ni Betty.
I was caught off guard.
The truth is they hit it bulls-eye. Dahil nga sa heartbreak. Dahil nga sa isang lalaki kaya nagpasya akong umalis ng school. Nobody knew the real reason. Kalaunan tinanong ko rin ang sarili ko kung sapat bang reason yon para tumigil, kung tama ba ang ginawa ko, but at that time, it was the only thing I could do to save myself.
Tumawa ako to lighten the mood - my mood, actually. "No. Hindi ‘yon yung reason kung bakit ako nagstop. Nung time na ‘yon kasi natanggal sa work yung mother ko kaya kailangan ko muna magwork para makatulong sa bahay."
Napa-'Ahh' na lang sila pagkatapos nila marinig ang boring kong sagot.
Ayokong mapalalim pa lalo yung usapan namin kaya nag-isip na ako kung paano ako se-segue ng ibang topic. Until we heard loud sound of chairs being dragged from the back of the room. Sabay-sabay kaming napalingon then we saw that Boy Tattoo with his gang walking their way to the door.
"Theus! Saan kayo pupunta?!" Sigaw ni Jade. Napatingin ako kay Jade at agad kong sinundan yung direksyon kung kanino s’ya nakatingin. Then my eyes landed to that guy with tattoo.
Siya nga ba yung tinawag ni Jade? What was his name again?
"Lalabas. Ang boring dito." Cold na sagot ni Boy Tattoo na tinawag ni Jade sa pangalang Theus.
Tumayo si Jade mula sa pagkakaupo niya, "Wag na kayong lumabas. Mag-eelect na tayo ng bagong Class Representative."
Nakatayo naman sa tapat ng pinto si Theus at nakatingin ng diretso kay Jade, annoyance obviously plastered on his face. "Kung kanina pa natin ginawa ‘yan kesa nagkukwentuhan lang kayo d’yan.” He paused for a second, “Ah… Ikaw na lang kaya ulit Jade?"
“Theus?!”
Then Theus’ stare shifted to me. I watched as the corner of his mouth lifted, forming the smuggest smile I ever saw in my entire life, I felt a shiver run down my spine.
"I know, bakit hindi na lang kaya si Yoanna?"
I was dumbfounded. Me? Class representative? Hell, No!
But what I didn't understand is the fact that he called my name. How did he know my name? He must have heard them calling me. And he said my name without an 'ate' before it, not even a hint of being respectful in his tone. I was perplexed.

'Yoanna...'
His voice saying my name echoed through my ears.
"Theus?!" Suway ni Jade. "Wala ka bang galang kay Ate? Calling her with just her name all of a sudden when you're not even acquainted with her yet?!" Then she turned to face me, looking at me apologetically.
"No. It's fine!” I said smiling. "It doesn't matter."
"See? She said it’s fine." Theus shrugged before walking towards our direction, then stopping right beside me.
Ang tangkad niya. I didn't look any older than him when he's standing next to me. Him, standing this close to me, I can't help but notice his long eyelashes that I bet every girl is dying to have. His face is so clear, walang bakas ng pimples, walang dark circles, walang eyebags.
"So it might also mean na okay lang din sa kanya na maging class rep, since mas matanda naman siya sa’tin at mas may experience."
He looked at me as he said the word 'experience'. Natauhan ako at agad kong inalis yung tingin ko sa mukha ni Theus.
STOP! For Pete's sake, Yoanna! Oo, aminado akong gwapo siya at sexy yung mga labi n’ya pero naman Yoanna... wag.
I composed myself at huminga ng malalim.
His deep voice penetrated through my ears as he leaned down and whispered into my ear, "Hindi ba, Yoanna?"