#2: Strumming the Pain

Strumming 07

"Since it's getting late, we'll continue this tomorrow. Go straight home, everyone. See you all tomorrow."

Everyone cheered when our teacher announced that. Ang iba ay nag-unahan pa sa paglabas. Kaagad ko namang inayos ang gamit ko habang hinihintay matapos magligpit si Jeshua. It's still raining hard and she doesn't have an umbrella so I'm waiting for her.

"Wait lang, Kha. Ibabalik ko lang 'to," Jeshua told me when she saw me waiting for her.

I nodded and told her that I'll wait for her outside, at the hallway. Lumabas na ako nang tumango siya sa 'kin, sumandal ako sa may pader habang hinihintay siya. I was peacefully watching the rain when I felt a presence beside me. I smelled a strong yet addictive scent, lumingon ako at nakitang si Vinnyx 'yun. I'm familiar with him now, he's also Kirk's friend.

Nagulat pa siya nang makita ako, para bang nakakita siya ng ahas. I rolled my eyes, I decided to just watch the rain. I felt someone staring at me, I looked and caught Vinnyx. He immediately looked away and cleared his throat, I also notice that his ears are red. He awkwardly looked around and cleared his throat one more time.

"Nyx, let's go. Mauna na raw tayo, susunod na lang si Kirk at Ross." the guy named Nolan said. Kasunod niya ay si Jacen na seryoso lang ang mukha. Parang ngumingiti lang siya kapag kay Epione.

Umalis na sila kaya naman tahimik ko muling pinanood ang ulan. Bakit ba ang tagal ni Jeshua? What is she doing? Umayos ako ng tayo at napatingin sa may pinto nang may lumabas, si Kirk ang unang lumabas. Sumilip ako sa loob at nakita si Jeshua sa loob, may kinakausap. She looked annoyed, naka-kunot kasi ang noo niya.

"Miss Beret, ang lakas pa pala ng ulan." sabi niya sa 'kin bago inilabas ang payong niya mula sa bag. It's a plain black umbrella, mukhang bago pa dahil may plastic pa. "Gusto mo share tayo ng payong?" naka-ngising tanong niya sa 'kin.

"I have an umbrella." I answered, showing him my umbrella na hawak ko mula pa kanina. I saw a disappointed look on his face, but he immediately put on a smile.

"Wala kang payong, 'di ba? Sumabay ka na sa 'kin." napatingin ako sa may pinto nang marinig 'yon.

Kumunot kaagad ang noo ko dahil sa pagtataka. I saw Jeshua talking to someone, I think his name is Ross. As far as I know, he's also Kirk's friend. Lumingon sa 'kin si Jeshua, mukhang naramdaman niyang may nakatingin sa kanilang dalawa.

"Kha, tara na. Sabay na ako sa 'yo, nasa labas na rin naman ang sundo ko." sabi niya at naglakad palapit sa 'kin. Tinaasan pa niya ako ng kilay at para bang sinasabi niyang dalian ko.

"Jeshua, gamitin mo na 'tong payong ko. Ibalik mo na lang bukas, sige na." Kirk suddenly offered. I was too confused about everything that I just stood there without saying anything.

"Okay, thanks. Kha, una na ako, ha? See you tomorrow. Take care!" sabi ni Jeshua at kinuha ang payong ni Kirk.

"You're really leaving me? After I waited for you? You're mean." with brows furrowed, I told her when I saw her leaving.