Fragmented Rhapsody

Fragment 31

31
Date

"Madalas solution-answer ang exams ni Engr. Cauton," Octavian's voice sprung out from the phone beside the notebook I am writing on. "Rarely he gives MC, but when he does, it's the fucking Morse type of multiple choice."

"Okay," I said, pouting.

I was in the middle of rewriting my solutions when he called. Kanina pa siya nagkwekwento tungkol sa naging takbo ng araw niya sa Archimedes corporation. I don't really know the agenda of Lucifer and him on why they are targeting the company – Lucifer could buy it solely if he uses his family's money.

"Check your mail, baby."

"Why?"

"I forwarded you some of my notes during third year. Wala naman masiyadong nagbago sa curriculum, so yeah, you can use those."

Napalingon ako sa cellphone at saka dinampot ito. I can see his head now covered with his hoodie. January's giving the coldness now at pati ako ay doble-doble ang suot na jacket.

"Thank you..."

"You're welcome," he chuckled, "How's your day? Any problem you encountered?"

"My day went fine...just got busy with the orgs."

He hummed sweetly, "Tell me more..."

Kwinento ko na rin kung paano ako kinausap ng ibang professors kanina para tumakbo ng presidency next school year. The role seems heavy but I'm thinking about it. I think I've been in a good mood since last year – since Octavian and I started talking again. There are things I would want to explore more without being scared nor anxious now.

"You definitely can do it - being the president of the student council."

Ngumuso ako. "You think so?"

"Yup," he smiled sheepishly, "You're very responsible and strict with time - something every student council needs. Kung na sa SC ka kasi, parang hindi mo hawak ang oras sa dami ng ginagawa at concerns ng student body, which becomes too overwhelming sometimes! Kaya nung naging part ako ng SC ng 2nd year, sabi ko hindi na ako babalik doon kahit ano'ng mangyari!"

He laughed foolishly, making me chuckle too.

"The council needs someone who doesn't let time control and topple over the whole organization; it needs someone who can control time, being an efficient student leader at the same time. And being with you for more than a year, heck, no one does it better than you, Natalia."

"I'm not a team person..."

"But you're a person of progress," he assured, "Explore outside your comfort zone."

I think I've been liking the freedom I'm slowly building myself into.

"Kumain ka na ba?" he asked after a couple of his endless stories.

"Yup, I ate at 7. How about you? Did you cook? O sa labas ka kumain?"

"Pahaba na nang pahaba mga sinasabi mo ah!" he exclaimed, chuckling again.

Umismid ako. "I usually talk like this with you sometimes, even before..."

"Oh? Akala ko 'yes' or 'no' lang kaya mong sabihin," pang-aasar niya. "O 'di kaya 'thank you' at 'okay' lang."

"You must be having too many girls so now you're getting confused," I smirked.

"Marami ka na pala ngayon?"