Eren Pierce Salazar

Kabanata 2

''You were crying yesterday, may I know the reason?'' I looked at Sky; his elbow is on my table.

Nandito kami sa student council room. Nag-aasikaso ng mga dapat tapusin bago magsimula ang event.

''May I?'' he asked again.

Tinignan ko siya ng ilang saglit. Nakangiti siya sa akin na mukhang nagpa-pa-cute. Napangiti ako ng di oras.

''Gago, wala. Na miss ko lang si Mama'' sagot ko.

Natahimik si Sky at ilang saglit ay nagsalita ulit. ''I heard the news'' Napatingin ako sa kanya.

We were both silent. He knows my situation. How could he not know, eh pinsan siya ni Eren.

''It's a secret between our family, Sky. Don't let others know about this'' ayon nalang ang sinabi ko dahil alam ko namang alam niya ang ibig kong sabihin.

He stared at me for a moment and smiled. ''I know, Mommy told me. Don't worry. I just didn't expect na mabubuntis ka, ni Kuya Eren pa'' Napalingon-lingon ako sa buong room. Buti ay walang tao.

Tinignan ko siya ulit at bumuntong hininga. ''That night, I was just too drunk, kaya dumaritso ako sa kwarto. Hindi ko naman kasi in-expect na magiging blast ang party na iyon. That was my first party to have; akala ko nga duon na kami magkakasundo ni Dad. Ayun pala ay hindi kasi nabuntis'' I mockingly laughed.

''Did you cry because your father wouldn't let you go home?'' tanong niya.

Umiling ako. ''Hindi naman'' simpleng sagot ko.

My eyes widened when he reached for my cheeks and made me face him. When our eyes met, I could see that he wanted to know something.

''Don't lie to me, Maria. I know your situation. Sinaktan ka ba ulit ng Dad mo?'' he asked.

Tinignan ko lang siya ng walang pinakitang emosyon pero sa kaloob-looban ko ay gusto kong umiyak. Sky knows how my family treats me. Siya ang takbuhan ko kapag sinasaktan ako ni Papa.

''Hindi nga'' Inabot ko ang dalawang kamay niya sa pisngi ko para sana tanggalin pero malakas siya kaya hindi ko naalis. Tumingin ulit ako sa kanya.

Ngayon ay napaka seryoso niya na. Ilang saglit pa ay ngumiti siya sa akin, his smile comforts me. ''I'm always here, Maria. We are always here, so don't ever keep a secret from us. Kakayanin mo 'yan. I know hindi mo ginusto ang mabuntis pero nandiyan na 'yan. Don't worry, I'll help you'' he said, that made me feel relief.

Sinsero akong ngumiti at tumango-tango. ''Thanks, Sky. You really understand me''

''Because I'm handsome?'' he said jokingly but he's handsome. University crush.

I frowned at him. ''Anong connect nu'n? Feeling ka lang talaga Mr. Engineer'' ani ko sa kanya.

He laughed at me. ''I should feel it because it's true, right?''

Hinagisan ko siya ng papel. ''Gago!''

''Hey! Don't throw these papers, pinaghirapan ko 'tong gawin kagabi''

''Dapat naman talaga, para makinabangan ka naman bilang vice president''

''Oo na, president at Ms. Model, slash future International Tourist Guide'' may diin niyang sabi.

Napailing nalang ako at binasa ang mga kailangan basahin. Binasa ko rin ang mga proposal galing sa iba't-ibang department.

Habang nagbabasa ako ay hindi naiwasang mangunot ng noo ko.

Professor to handle the retreat: Mr. Eren Pierce Salazar

Team Leader of Engineering Department: Skyler Del Rosario