Drawn to His Flame

Kabanata 12

Strawberry

Tungkol lahat sa quiz namin kani-kanina lang sa General Mathematics ang pinag-uusapan ng mga kaklase ko. I expected the quiz to be hard that's why I wasn't that shocked when I saw the test paper. I wasn't confident of what I had reviewed at dawn earlier so I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't get a perfect score.

Bawi na lang ako sa sunod.

"Bad trip! Ba't andaming logarithmic functions na lumabas? Iyon pa naman ang hindi ko napag-aralan!" I heard Clay commented before he frantically combed his hair using his fingers. Nandito kami ngayon sa hallway na nasa labas ng classroom namin habang naghihintay kay Shell.

Fiona was busy searching for something inside her purse but she still got time to tease Clay. "Baka nakalimutan mong hindi ka naman talaga nag-aral? You're just lucky to have generous seatmates," pambabara sa kanya ng kanyang nobya kaya napalabi ang lalaki.

Handa na sana akong marining ang pabebeng tugon ni Clay pero naudlot ang sasabihin niya nang dumating na si Shell at huminto pa mismo sa pagitan ng lalaki at ni Fiona. "So how did it go, girl? Kinuha ka bang contestant para sa pageant?" the latter excitedly asked.

Pabiro namang hinampas ni Shell si Fiona dahil doon. But I just couldn't miss the smile on the former's face. Napangiti na rin ako dahil doon. Shell seems to be problematic since Monday but seeing her beaming again brings joy to me as well. Something good must have really happened.

"Sira! Hindi ah! Pinatawag lang ako dahil may practice kasi kaming mga choir members mamaya." Shell then turned to face me. "Hala, sorry talaga Reg. Hindi yata kita masasamahang umuwi mamaya sa Venturanza," dagdag niya pagkatapos.

"Okay lang, Shell. Just take care of yourself dahil mag-isa ka na lang babiyahe bukas," I answered. I heard Clay coughing so I glared at him. He gave me a V sign afterwards but the way he's raising his eyebrows right now told me that it would take long before he would stop teasing me about Shell.

"Pero parang iba yata ang ngiti natin ngayon, ah! Depressed kanina sa quiz tapos sumaya ka na lang bigla. Hindi ako naniniwalang dahil lang 'yon sa practice niyo mamaya!" komento ni Fiona at kumunot ang noo ko nang makitang namula na lang bigla si Shell.

I was confused when Fiona squealed after that. May binulong siya kay Shell at nang tumango ang huli ay tumalon-talon na lang bigla si Fiona. What's really up with them?

I felt Clay nudging my shoulder so I faced him. "Believe me, they're talking about a boy. Kaya galaw-galaw din, pre o good bye Shell na habang-buhay."

Hindi na ako nakasagot pa dahil hinila na kami nila Shell papunta sa canteen. Humagikgik naman si Clay nang makita niyang pinanlilisikan ko siya ng mata. Pero habang papalapit kami sa aming pupuntahan ay hindi ko maiwasang kabahan.

I don't think that I could face Treyton too soon. Nagsisi talaga ako sa mga pinagsasabi ko sa kanya kanina. If I could turn back the time, I would've chosen to mind my business than bicker with him early in the morning.

The canteen was packed when we arrived. But I was surprised to see that Treyton and his friends weren't in their usual spot. Nang luminga-linga ako sa buong lugar ay nakumpirma kong wala nga talaga sila rito ngayon.

Is this a miracle?

"Day off mo ba ngayon, Reg? Wala yata ang amo mo," pabirong pahayag ni Fiona dahil mukhang napansin din niya na wala sina Treyton. The three of my friends threw me questioning glances so I shrugged because I don't know what I should say.

"This is unusual. Parati nga silang nauuna sa atin dito sa canteen. But it's good news though! You can now eat in peace, Reg!" Shell said which I answered with a nod.