Her Fleeting Love

Chapter 03

I am here waiting in the midst of the University's Sunken Garden, waiting for no one. I was too early for my first class so I decided to stay for a while. I thought the weather was fine, I thought a red-orange sky will consume the wide scenery. However, it was the total opposite. It was full grey, gloomy and sad. 

"Ang lungkot naman ng 1st day of College ko dito," I muttered. I was contemplating my life choices and ended up regretting each one of it.

A lot of what-ifs lingered on my mind. Pero lahat ng iyon nawala ng makita ko ang taong dahilan kung bakit ako naririto. And the moment he sat beside me, the gloomy and sad ambiance vanished. He really is something.

"Aga mo naman, 8 pa diba class mo?" He asked. He really is clueless why I did this. 

"Uhm, I am an early bird. T'saka, I want to tour myself around the univ. Four years ako mag-aaral dito so..." I have no words left.

"Shh, tara. Let's go na, Ms. Early Bird." He mocked. Walanghiya!

We were enjoying our mini-tour around the school. We ate orange-coated egg waffles, it was my first time to eat such. Ang sarap! Grabe ang dami kong firsts sa taong 'to. Hindi ko na talaga alam if crush ko na ba talaga to. But I don't want to disappoint Dad. Speaking of Dad, he doesn't know my course, siguro at the end of the sem nalang. I separated from him na kasi, I stayed in a condo near our school para makaipon na rin.

"Alam ba 'to ng Dad mo, na dito ka nag-aaral?" Lucas asked me as if he had read my mind.

"Siya pa, syempre!" I lied. It's better this way. Baka if malaman niya na hindi gusto ni Dad, he'll push me away. Hindi pa ako nakakabawi sa kanya.

Lucas smiled. The dimples on the corners of his cheeks made him more attractive. Grabe 'tong lalakeng to...gwapo, matalino tsaka mabait. Hays, kung wala lang talaga akong prinsipyo na study first, matagal na ako nagconfess, chos!

We walked for a bit before reaching our building. Same class lang kami so obviously classmates lang. Parang forever classmates na talaga kami... Hindi mapaghiwalay. Sana nga, hindi.

"Hi everyone! I am Eunoia Millicent A. Eleazar, but you can call me Millie. I am 18 years old. Graduated as valedictorian."  I briefly introduced myself. I saw some of our classmates roll their eyes when I mentioned my achievement.

Is it wrong to mention the fruit of my hard work? Is it hard to be happy for other people's success?

After my introduction, it was Lucas' turn. He was effortlessly charismatic, no doubt my other classmates are head over heels on him.

"Hello, Lucas Connor Guerrero here! You can call me Connor.." Lucas' was interrupted by our professor.

"Why not, "Lucas"?" She asked.

"Only one person is allowed to call me that" Then tumingin siya sa akin. I was blushing. Potek, bawal 'to.

He continued to introduced himself, ewan ko ba. It was mentioned na brief lang pero parang life story na ang sinabi niya. Well, my prof and classmates didn't bother to stop him. He's eloquent and a sweet-talker.

"So, Ms. Eleazar and Mr. Guerrero are classmates since highschool, is there something between you two?" Sabi ng prof namin. Napuno ng tilian ang room namin, ang awkward ng situation. Ba't ang daming hanash netong prof namin, why can't she teach us na? 

"No, ma'am" We quickly denied. Lucas was laughing while I was very embarrassed. Well syempre, guilty eh. 

The day ended. I did not expect na hindi pa pala talaga magsisimula ang class. I was really prepared. Except for the hot seat moment.

"How's the first day?" Lucas asked as we walked in the crowded streets outside the university.

"Kakapagod, wala pang seryosong klase 'yon ha!" Pagrereklamo ko. Studying is really tiring, you just need to have motivation. Luckily, mine is beside me.

Ang harot ko pala. Grabe this wasn't me noong high school. I was always a good girl. Pero ngayon? Parang girl na lang...

"Someone will fetch you? Malayo 'yong sa inyo..." He sounded so concerned. Huwag ka magbigay ng motibo pls, baka may malaglag... syempre, ako!

"Ahh, I'll walk lang. Malapit lang 'yong tinitirhan ko. Dun sa bagong tayong condo." I pointed the new building not far away from us.

"Doon din ako nakatira" He chuckled. What?! So we're living in the same building? Pati pagtira, kasama kami? We really are inseparable!

Pero bago ako makapasok sa condo ko, there was my father waiting for me. He saw us, me and Lucas. He's scorching wrath is visible. Bahala na 'to, I'll face him. I'll convince him.

"You should go first, I'll talk to Dad muna" I told Lucas before he left me and went up to his condo room.

My dad was really mad. Why? Because the moment I went near him, he slapped me. For the first time, he physically hurted me.

"You chose that low-class boy over a successful and bright career, Eunoia?" My dad shouted. A lot of people outside the condo saw us. They witnessed how humiliated I was.

"Dad, I need to make amends. May kasalanan ako sa kanya, Dad." I pled. I know hindi niya ako pakikinggan, I just hope he'll hear me out.

"Shut up, Eunoia. Akala ko tumalino ka na, ang bobo mo pa rin pala! You'll leave this condo now and transfer to a business-related course. I'll transfer you to another school too, you disgraceful brat!"My dad yelled. Grabe na talaga siya, I can't endure this now. He's too much.

"No, I won't leave this condo. I won't shift course. And I won't transfer school. You can abandon me if you want too. Kalimutan mong naging anak mo ako if kinakahiya mo ako ng ganyan." I answered him then left him.

I hurt my Dad but it's satisfying, how ironic.

I didn't know defending yourself would be this tranquil.