Fit the Puzzle (Azcona Cousins #3)

25

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Chapter 25

"Ano'ng meron?" I was catching my breath. I've received lots of messages from my blockmates while I was having my special quiz in a major course. Malapit na nga akong mahuli ng professor namin dahil panay ang tingin ko sa aking bag. My phone screen's kept on illuminating inside my bag.

Carlos, our block representative, happily clapped his hands as if I saved him from a dilemma. The pace of his walk was like a lightning, sa sobrang bilis ay nabigla ako sa paghawak niya sa balikat ko. 'Di ko tuloy maiwasang umatras.

"Croozian, 'wag kang magagalit, ha... kasi ano... may university wide contest. Walang gustong sumali, e. Pero alam naming may chances na manalo ka!"

My forehead automatically crippled and I then lifted my brow.

"Hindi ako matalino. Ipapahiya ko lang block natin."

Mabilis siyang umiling. He dramatically motioned his hands at me.

"Hindi, hindi... the contest is about dressing up一 all about the glam! Ikaw agad ang naisip naming lahat. We actually love your style... plus, your hair!" He brushed the tips of my hair. "Your curly hair could be your edge in the contest. Madali rin isipan ng style dahil sa volume. Aside from that, I think you are all set!"

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga.

"I'll think about it. 'Di ako pwedeng basta-bastang gumastos para rito一"

"We'll handle all the expenses! Clothes, hair and makeup, and food. Sabihin mo lang kung ano pa ang kailangan mo."

"Big deal ba 'tong contest na 'to?"

He nodded.

"Oo, Croozian. Malaki cash prize at alam mo namang uhaw tayo sa ibibigay na incentives ng mga professors, 'di ba? Kailangan nating manalo. We can aim for the runner-up award. Malaking bagay na 'yon para sa department natin."

'Di ako makatanggi. They are all rooting for me, and expecting me to actively participate. Hindi 'yung tipong sinabi lang na may sumali sa department namin. Sinabi ko kaagad kay Mama ang balita. She's good at this. I know she can help me get through the contest.

Nahiya na akong sabihan si Carlos na sila na ang bumili ng mga damit na gagamitin ko. Mama took care of my wardrobe. She was really enthusiastic when I told her about the contest. Malawak ang connection niya pagdating sa mga local designers kaya 'di na 'ko mahihirapan. I also told Iverson about it... at 'di ko rin kinalimutang sabihan din si Kuya Alex dahil baka biglang magtampo sa'kin.

Right now, all I do is comply. Nagkukumahog akong matapos ang ibang gagawin pero may iba pa rin akong nakakaligtaan na mga gawain. One time, I had a hard time understanding our lecture that resulted in me breaking down.

"Zian."

"Hmm?" I was staring intently at my laptop, it was not an unusual sight for Brent Iverson. I was trying to absorb all the process and terms in the lecture video. Kasabay rin ng pag-aaral ko ang pagda-draft ng notes. Mamaya ko na lang aayusin dahil required na sagutan ang short quiz.

"Need help?"

"I can handle this," wala sa sarili kong sagot. Hinilig ko ang aking likod sa binti niya. He's sitting on the couch while I am on the floor. Halos ka-lebel ko ang laptop ko, beside me is a bag of chips and cold tin can soda. Samantalang si Iverson naman ay tahimik na nanonood ng movie.

'Di ko na ulit siya pinansin. I wanted to center my focus on the lecture badly, but I couldn't stop myself from being distracted by Iverson's moves. Nagtataka nga ako na narito na naman siya sa Quezon City parang walang problema sa university o laboratory activities man lang.