The Fire Inside Her [UNEDITED]

Kabanata 20

Kabanata 20

Fourth grading examinations is coming that's why I'm not shock anymore to witnessed the drain face of my co-students. Hindi lang rin sila ang nahihirapan dahil sa totoo lang, kaming lima ang mas mahirap ang exams dahil mas mataas ang expectations nila sa amin.

Like what we usually do, we always advance studying in library or in the office for our peace of mind. Sound proof naman kasi ang opisina kaya mas pabor sa amin na duon mag study para walang makaka-istorbo sa amin.

Tho, hindi pa naman masyadong malapit ang exams. Pinaghahandaan lang namin lalo pa't maraming projects na gagawin at defense sa bawat subject namin.

It's hassle being a student, right? But it's worth it when you succeed.

"Hindi ka makakasabay mamaya?" Maang na tanong ni Raby sa akin habang inaayos ang gamit sa lamesa.

We're in the office like we usually do after the lunch. Isa pa, may group projects din kaming magkakaibagan kaya napagplanuhan naming gawin ito dito kaysa maghintay kung kailan malapit na ang deadline.

Next week is our defense and after that is our exams but that's not yet the end. We still need to comply at kailangan pa naming magpa-pirma ng clearance. Yep. That's required.

"May party akong pupuntahan." I said. "I already said yes at nakakahiya naman kung hindi ako magpapakita."

They plan kasi na after this whole class, we'll visit in our favorite milk tea parlor to have some refreshments. Kaso hindi ako makakapunta dahil mamayang hapon ang party na pupuntahan ko. It's Tita Mirasol's grandchild.

"Party? Kanino?" Tanong ni Quizel na inaayos rin ang mga gamit niya kanina habang nag re-review.

I eyed her suspiciously because we know that she seems off this days. Wala naman siyang sinabi kung ano yun but I think it's complicated. Natatagpuan kasi namin siya minsan na tutulala nalang at biglang mapapabuntong hininga. Like she's thinking deeply. Kung ano man 'yong iniisip niya.

"Tita Mirasol's grandchild."

"Oh? Nakauwi na si Tita?" Si Mary na napatigil pa sa kanyang ginagawa para lang itanong yun.

I hummed as I nod my head before I gathered my things. Ang alam lang kasi nila ay umalis din si Tita sa hindi malamang dahilan. But they don't know na si Tita ang tumatayong Ina niya matapos mamatay ang mga magulang nito.

"Yeah. We talked a week ago and she's inviting me in her grandchild birthday party earlier. Kaya hindi ako makakasabay sa inyo."

"Paano pala.. kung nando'n siya?" Tila nag-aalinlangang tanong ni Raby sa akin.

The three of them look at me with their worried face and I can't deny the fact that my heart felt so happy knowing that they're worried. So to assure them that it's gonna be fine, I smiled.

"No need to worry guys. How many times do I have to tell you that I've been move on a long time ago? Kung nando'n man siya, edeh nando'n siya. Anong pake ko sa presensya niya kung ang apo naman ni Tita ang pakay ko do'n?" I said in a matter of fact as I shrugged my shoulder off. 

Tho, I really can't say if how could I react if I saw him again for almost six months. Kung nando'n man siya, bahala na si batman.

"Ayos ka lang ba na ikaw lang ang pupunta?" Nag-aalala parin na tanong ni Mary sa akin.

I playfully rolled my eyes. "Charles will accompany me in the party. Hindi naman ako magtatagal do'n kaya isasama ko siya."

"You mean, that body guard of your Dad?" Quizel asked and I nodded. "He seems weird."