Cosmos

Chapter 28 - El Extremo

1980

"YOU'RE LATE YOUNG LADY! "papa's baritone voice was heard from downstairs

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Coming papa! "I said as I sprayed my favorite perfume on my wrist, neck and uniform.

"There's a transferee student, papa! I'll be his first friend! They said that he was a nerd " I chuckled as papa handed me my baon or packed food

"Well here then, Margarette, share this with the student "papa handed me a bag with puto.

"WOW! OK GOT IT PAPA HEHE I'LL GO ALREADY "I held the back of my father's hand and raised it above my forehead, mano, a sign of respecting someone who's older than you.

"Love you, Marga. "papa smiled

A day, like every other day, walking in this rice field, enjoying the humming of the birds and talking of the cows. It's a 15-minute walk from home to school. A bit tiring, yes, but this will make my limbs stronger than ever.

"MAGANDANG UMAGA, TEACHER, I'm sorry I'm late. "I said while catching my breath.

" Magandang Umaga, Marga, take a sit and our transferee will introduce himself " The teacher said while moving out of the way, showing a guy with specs, taller than me, pale skin like mine, has a cute shy face , holding bunch of books in his hands. I smiled at him, but he just looked away.

"Ok class, our transferee student is a foreigner, He's not fond of Tagalog but he's been living in Philippines for a year now, home schooled for a year as well but now, he's here with us, please introduce yourself. "The teacher smiled at him.

"H-Hi... I'm Lax Andrius Xerves, I'm 15 years old. I love to read books and s-stuff. "He stuttered and the whole class started whispering.

"What a nerd... "a girl whispered behind me.

"Not that relevant... "Another guy whispered.

I sighed and stood up making all the students look at me, even lax.

"Nice to meet ya! I'm Margarette Rose Natividad, 15 years old as well, I'd like to be your friend! "I smiled at him. The whole class started teasing me and laughing.

"CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! "The boys teased and I just knocked it off and rolled my eyes.

"Well then, we have our president of the class, Margarette, to accompany you, you can sit beside her. "The teacher said to lax but lax only blushed. He took a little second then started walking towards the vacant chair beside me.

"Hey, I love reading books as well, maybe you can let me borrow one? Hehe just kidding. "I whispered beside him, but he was just looking at me with a flustered face.

"I-I. Sure. "He said as he looked away and fixed his specs.

Recess came and I clapped my hands.

"Everyone be back at exact 10:30 ok? no lates, no buts! "I warned everyone.

"OPO PRESIDENT! "Everyone said and I smiled.

"So, Lax. want some puto? "I showed him the bag filled with puto that my papa bought.

"What's puto? "He looked at it like an innocent kid.

"A year in Philippines and you don't know this? "I opened the bag and handed him one.

"I don't, usually go out. Both of my parents are gone, and I live alone now. Since my yaya left for her family in Cagayan...? "He said unsure from the place.

"pft- CAGAYAN? LAX HAHAHAHA CA-GA-YAN "I said it to him word by word.

"Yes. That. ca-ga-yan "He chuckled.

"Friends? "I fished my hand out of my pocket and raised it in front of him.

"Friends. "He said as he shook my hand.

A month has passed.

"Sino ba to'ng lalaking to? Gusto mo ipakulam kita? "

"Foreigner yan, di niya maintindihan. "

"You! Don't mess with me! Get away from Margarette, NERD! "The guy throws rocks at Lax' body.

"N-no, I like Rose. We're friends! "Lax said with a shivering voice.

"HOY! MGA WALANG HIYA KAYO! "Margarette's voice made all the students stop.

"ANONG PROBLEMA MO, KALIX? TIGILAN NIYO NGA SI LAX! "Lax couldn't understand them but all he knows is that rose was an angel who's saving him from this chaos.

"Lax are you ok? "Rose said checking lax' body and grabbing all his books with her. She held lax hand.

"Back off, Kalix. "

"What's this? Do you like this guy? I've been courting you since day 1! "Kalix spat out.

"I have my standards, Kalix. "Margarette said it with finality and walk past Kalix, still holding lax hands. A lot of students were whispering and chuckling. With that, Kalix was dumped.

"I'm sorry about that, Lax "Margarette said still holding his hands while walking him away from the school.

"I'll cure your wounds and we're going to Juan's mango tree; we can relax there. "

"Rose. "

"Yes? "

"You're beautiful. "

"Parang shira to! "Rose chuckled and they finally stop after a minute of walking.

"I'm sorry. "Lax apologized

"Oh, no, Kalix is actually a friend of mine, back then, when he was still a good simple guy. Now he's just a plain jerk "Rose made a disgusted face that made him smile.

"HOY JUAN! "

"OH ROSE! HI LAX! "Juan greeted them at the branch of the mango tree.

"Climbing up? "Juan asked.

"Definitely! "Rose said.

"What happened to your face? "Juan said motioning his face that was filled with wounds from Kalix' friend.

"Gang ni Kalix. "Rose said while swinging her legs back and forth.

"I'm such a.... nerd. "Lax sighed the last word out.

"What's up with that? I wanted to be a nerd but I'm too stupid for that. "Juan said jokingly.

"I don't do fights, I can't throw fists, I hate it. But it only makes me look like a coward. Lax scratched the back of his head.

"I prefer those who don't bite from the bait. "Rose smiled at Lax.

Maybe, as these wounds heal, I'll change too. I like you Margarette Rose Natividad. So much.

"Rose? "

"Ye? "

"Can I.... court you? "

Rose smiled.

"Ye- "

Cut off.

Someone threw rocks. It hit her head making her dizzy. Her body fell from the high part of the mango tree. Exactly at the spot where the huge rocks were sitting.

"No. This can't be. Rose? "

Lax.

by : M.P