Fit the Puzzle (Azcona Cousins #3)

28

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Chapter 28

I went home again after my tiring week at the university. I've been doing this several times last year and also this year. I am now in my second year while Iverson and Kuya Alex are in their graduating year. They have already taken NMAT since they are seeking medical schools here in the Philippines as they complete their Bachelor degree.

I've already claimed that they'll pass the test.

Iverson asked about my opinion regarding his decision. He has little to no passion in the medical field; he prefers managing the administrative side of their company. Katulad nga ng sabi niya noon, ABM graduate siya.

I didn't give him any of my remarks because they wouldn't matter. Mahirap naman kalabanin ang pangarap ng mga magulang niya, e.

Ang bilis ng mga pangyayari. 'Di naman ako laging masaya pero ramdam ko pa rin ang contentment.

Sabay kaming umuwi nina Frances at Veron. 'Di ako makapaniwala na sasama sila sa'kin. Pabiro kong tinawagan si Frances. I've concluded that they were both busy. Alam ko kasing mas marami ang units nila kumpara sa'min. Nonetheless, I couldn't give a fair opinion about how our education systems differ. Whichever university, there are apparent flaws.

At dahil doon ay umuwi rin si Adriel, dala-dala pa ang tatlo niyang accounting books. We settled at Piolo's place. Naghanda siya ng mga iihawin at 'di na 'ko nagulat na may iilang beer cans.

Kaming dalawa ni Frances ay nag-iihaw samantalang si Veron naman ay gumagawa ng plate niya. He pursued architecture, bagay na bagay naman sa kanya.

"Hindi pa ba 'yan luto? O baka naman 'di lang talaga kayo marunong magluto?" natatawang tanong ni Piolo. "Patingin nga. Ayokong kumain ng sunog," pumagitna siya sa'ming dalawa. I looked closely at my friend, Frances. Tints of pink on Frances' cheeks were visible through the dim lights. Lihim akong ngumisi dahil alam ko ang epekto ni Piolo sa kanya.

Noon pa lang ramdam kong nagkakapaan sila. I feel like they are so afraid of admitting their feelings that could potentially break their friendship.

Binigay ko kay Piolo ang pamaypay.

"Oh, tulungan mo si Frances mag-ihaw."

"Oo na, oo na," aniya sabay sipat naman kay Frances na diretso ang tingin sa griller. Nabigla si Frances dahil tinakpan ni Piolo ang mga mata niya gamit ang kamay nito.

"Hoy!"

"Masyado kang exposed sa init. It will sting your eyes."

Naku! Ang bagal ng mga 'to! Wala ba talagang aamin sa kanilang dalawa?

I left them there and just joined Veron at the long table that Piolo's father prepared for us. Si Adriel naman kasi ay nasa loob ng bahay dahil mayroon pa raw siyang sasagutang summative test at ayaw niyang makarinig ng ingay. Pumwesto naman ako sa kabilang upuan para hindi ko matabunan ang ilaw. Veron glanced at me shortly. "How's life, Zian? Kayo na?"

I laughed.

"Grabe 'yong bungad mo, ha."

"Ano nga?"

"Hindi pa," mabilis kong sagot.

He leaned and rested his head on the top rail of the wooden chair which Piolo got us.

"Hmm... hindi kayo nagmamadali o ayaw ng mga magulang niya? He's an Azcona, I wouldn't be surprised."

"We're not rushing things."

He nodded and gripped on his pencil again. Can't say that he's uninterested, maybe he was just wondering or plainly curious. Hindi naman na siya nagdagdag ng itatanong.