Eyes Don't Lie

Chapter 22

They say, it's better to love someone who loves you too. Because it's free from hurt, pain, and cry. But can we really teach heart? Because for me, love is unconditional. You shouldn't expect him to reciprocate your love just because you love him. First of all, he didn't force you to love him. You just fall, unexpectedly.

You love, because you love him. You don't just love because you expect him to return your love too. Maybe it's just a bonus when the one you love, loves you back.

Our classes started yesterday. Naging busy agad kami dahil may pinagawa agad na assignments sa amin. Our professor even required us to memorize the mission and vision of the school. Ibang-iba nang high school kapag first week ng pasukan. Usually, we just spend the week getting to know each other. Ngunit ngayon ay unang araw pa lang, may assignment na.

Buti na lang ay naging magkaklase kami ni Katya sa halos lahat ng subjects, kaya kung may hindi alam ang isa sa amin ay makapagtatanungan kami. There are also some familiar faces in our batch, I just don't know their names.

"Uy, is that Astrid?"

Bahagya kong nilingon ang nagsalita nang marinig ko ang pangalan ko at napansing grupo iyon ng mga lalaki. They noticed me looking and they immediately avoided my gaze.

"Astrid! Here!" Kinawayan ako ni Katya at tinuro ang bakanteng upuan sa tabi niya. She's talking with some of our new classmates. Second day pa lang ay may nakakausap na ito.

Nilapitan ko agad si Katya at tinabihan. I glanced at the girls she's talking. Kuryoso silang napatingin sa akin kaya bahagya akong nailang doon at alanganin silang nginitian.

"Hey, Astrid, this is Erica and Janeth. Erica and Janeth, si Astrid, bestfriend ko." Pakilala ni Katya sa isa't isa kaya naglahad na ako ng kamay upang magpakilala rin.

It's not bad to have new friends, right?

"I'm Nivea Astrid Savallano..."

"I know you! Ikaw iyong nag-model sa Alvarez Empire, 'no? You're more beautiful in person! Janeth nga pala." Masiglang tinanggap nang Janeth ang kamay ko kaya tuluyan na akong napangiti.

"Huy, baka mabali kamay ni Astrid! Nakakahiya ka, Janeth!"

Janeth just chuckled at Erica's remark. Binitiwan din naman agad nito ang kamay ko at kinamayan ko rin sunod si Erica.

"Erica nga pala! I'm a fan of yours! I even bought your summer collections!"

Hinampas agad ni Janeth sa braso si Erica at siya naman ang sumuway. Natawa ako roon. Parang masaya silang kasama.

"Thank you, Erica."

"Katya said you two are joining pageants? Ang ganda niyong mag-bestfriend! May pambato na ang batch natin sa mga pageant!" Pumalakpak pa si Janeth at mangha kaming tiningnan.

"Nasasali lang ako, but if Astrid and I compete, I will definitely lose, 'no! She's the queen of pageants kaya! Laging nauuwi ang korona. Lampaso mga kalaban." sagot ni Katya na pasimple kong siniko dahil narinig iyon ng ibang mga kaklase namin.

They curiously glanced at us, especially on me. Bigla tuloy akong nahiya roon dahil sa bunganga ni Katya.

"But I heard Vienna will join this year? Higher year siya. Kilala niyo ba 'yon? Balita ko magaling din, e."

Vienna? So, she's studying here also? Never ko pa siyang nakalaban sa pageant at alam kong magaling nga din siya. Katya loses to her.

"Nako! Astrid will surely win! I remember back on our school, Vienna withdrew when she found out she's competing Astrid. Ayaw magkaroon ng talo kaya umatras kay Astrid." Pagkukwento ni Katya sa dalawa.