Love In A Cruel World

Chapter 8

"Ate!"

I heard Lie's voice outside my room. Hindi na ako tumayo para pagbuksan siya ng pinto dahil tinatamad ako. Tinatamad ba talaga ko o sadyang hindi ko lang maalis sa isip ko ang coat na 'yon?

Hindi ko na alam kung pang-ilang beses ko nang tiningnan ang coat na nakasabit sa likod ng pinto ng kwarto ko.

I'm still bothered kung sino ang lalaking nakasama ko sa swimming pool area that night of my party. And I'm still hoping na si Paulo talaga 'yon at hindi lang sila nagkaintindihan ni Lie.

"Ate!" It was Lie again at mas malakas na ang boses niya which means malapit na siya sa kwarto ko.

Hindi ako bumangon at nanatiling nakahiga sa kama ko hanggang sa kusang buksan ni Lie ang pintuan ng kwarto ko.

Bakas sa mukha niya ang pagiging excited at patalon na sumampa sa kama ko. "Ate, guess what?" excitement is visible on her tone.

Umupo ako paharap sa kaniya. "What?" tanong ko habang kinukuha ang isang unan and put it on my lap.

"Guess it!" Lie insist.

"Just spill it," bored kong sabi.

Napasimangot siya pero tumawa lang ako. She also grab a pillow and put it on her lap then smiled again. "Mom agreed!" she exclaimed.

"Agreed on what?" takang tanong ko.

"Seriously?" taas kilay na tanong niya. "Lutang ka ba talaga or what?" tanong pa niya ulit, inirapan ko na lang siya, obvious naman.

"Ano ba kasi 'yon?" I asked.

"They both agreed na lumipat ako ng university!" she said, excitement is back on her tone.

"Oh? That's good!" I replied with the same level of excitement.

Gustong lumipat ng university ni Lie since we're both in college. And I'm happy na pinayagan siya ng mga magulang namin na lumipat because according to Lie, wala naman daw siyang nakakasama roon bukod sa mga lagi niyang nakakaaway.

"Yes, it is!" she giggled.

Mabilis siyang bumaba ng kama ko. Nagtaka pa ko nang bahagya niya kong hinihila na para bang niyayaya kung saan.

"What?" I asked.

"Get up. We're going somewhere," she said while dragging me.

"Saan ba?" tanong ko habang umaalis sa kama.

"We will buy uniforms," she said as she kept on dragging me.

"Wait, mag-aayos lang ako," pigil ko sa kaniya.

"Okay na 'yan, Ate," she said habang hinihila ako papunta sa pinto.

I pulled myself back. "Seriously, Lie? Nakapantulog akong pupunta roon?" I sarcastically asked.

She faced me, then giggled. Masyadong excited di man lang napansin na nakasuot pa ako ng pajamas. After a minute or so, tapos na ko mag-ayos kaya dumiretso na kami sa campus to buy uniform since I'll be a regular student, as well as Lie.

And now, here I am. Staring at my reflection through my mirror while wearing a red checkered fitted skirt and a white long sleeve top partnered with two-inches black shoes. I took a deep breath and tried to calm my mind.

Today is the first day of classes. This school year is quite different because I'm not part of scholars anymore. I'm not a working student anymore. I don't need to come home late from my work at a convenience store. No more duty at the library. No more tutorial sessions as part of being a scholar.

Hindi ko na kailangan magpakapagod para kumita ng pera at buhayin ang pamilyang iniwan sa 'kin ni Papa. I admit that somehow, I felt nervous because of this changes pero alam kong handa ako. I'll make sure na handa ako.