Love at First Write

03

After a month, my college life started. I woke up early in the morning, fixed my bed, took a bath, dressed up, and ate my breakfast.

"Are you ready for your first day? You're in college now, anak." Mom asked.

"I am, Mom. Kinda nervous." I giggled. "I only know Hailey. I wish I could have friends there," I added.

"You'll surely have. You're kind and friendly, just like your dad." Dad said, we laughed. "Oh," Dad cleared his throat and wiped his mouth before speaking. "Before I forgot, Dante will be your bodyguard and driver. You have to inform him where you will go, what time will your practice end, he will report to me everything that you do and everywhere you go."

"Honey, isn't it too strict? She--"

"Don't you want our daughter to be safe?" Dad raised his eyebrow. I held Mom's hand and smiled at her.

"Mom, it's fine. Don't worry," I assured her. "Dad, Mom, I have to go."

"Be safe, honey!"

Pagpasok sa kotse, I put my airpods on and played some music. After a few moments, Kuya Dante parked the car at the parking lot. I thanked him before entering the campus.

"Kayzel, here!" As I looked back, I saw Hailey running towards me. She's holding a cup of coffee she bought at Starbucks. "Blooming, 'yan ang sana all," she complimented.

"Who's your professor?" I asked.

"Mr. Lim, you?"

"Omg! We're on the same class!" I exclaimed in excitement, she jumped.

We went to the locker room first. Pagkalabas ng locker, nagsilapitan sa'min. ang ibang students.

"Kayzel, omg, pwede magpa-picture?" Tanong ng isang babaeng student.

"Yeah, of course." Her friend took her phone and angled herself. We both smiled at the camera, she took 3 shots before thanking me.

"Iba talaga kapag sikat! Pano kung mag-sulat din ako para naman may magpa-picture na saakin, hindi yung puro lalaking pasikretong kinukuhanan ako ng picture kasi may gusto sa'kin," salubong ang kilay niya.

"Tamad ka nga gumawa ng essays, story pa kaya," bulong ko. Narinig niya pa 'yon kaya binatukan niya ako, tumawa naman ako sa naging reaction niya. Pagkarating sa room, hindi masyadong maingay ang mga students, hindi kagaya ng mga classmates ko noon na parang nasa palengke sa sobrang ingay.

We looked for a vacant seat. Nasa last row kami dahil 'yon nalang ang bakante, matangkad naman kami ni Hailey kaya no problem.

"Good morning, Class A, I am Mr. Santiago Lim." He started.

Discuss. Discuss. Discuss. Break.

Lumabas na kami ni Hailey ng room at pumunta sa cafeteria. I ordered a chicken pesto and strawberry milk shake, while Hailey, on the other hand, ordered a cheesecake, a piece of pizza, and iced tea.

Akala ko ba mag-d-diet siya?

"Kayzel! Nandito ka lang pala," a familiar man approached me and sat on the chair. I think I saw him at my party. "Sarap ng kinakain mo, ah," he smiled sweetly. Hindi nagtagal ay may lumapit rin saamin na dalawang lalaki. I think he's Vernon.

"Vernon, ano ka ba? 'Di ka na nahiya, kumakain yung tao."

Dito rin siya nag-aaral? What was his name again? Sharon? Santino? Shanti? Yeah! Shanti.