Our Yesterday's Escape (University Series #6)

14

TW: abuse

"What the hell..." 

I didn't know how long I was staring at the bills in front of me with an exasperating look on my face. Did I just... get fucking paid for last night? 

"Pucha, seryoso ba, bro?!" My friends laughed their asses off when I told them about what happened. I just said the woman I slept with left me so early in the morning. She didn't just leave breakfast... She also paid me. 

"I am seriously offended and mad right now," I told them while smoking. We were out on the patio of Arman's house, hanging out. I can't explain the anger I was feeling. If I saw that woman again... Hell would break loose. 

"It's the first time that happened to you." Hindi na makahinga si Ericka katatawa sa sinabi ko. She was right. This was the first time... and it was with Kierra Ynares. 

"What's her name? Do you remember?" Helen was laughing, too. Lahat sila ay hindi pa maka-move on sa kwento ko kanina. 

I pursed my lips and shook my head, refusing to say her name. "I don't remember," I told them. 

I didn't want them to know that it was Kierra. The woman they were asking me to look for so we could fish for some information about Yanna. It just... felt wrong.

But damn, that made her unforgettable. Good thing we never saw each other again until the start of classes. I got too occupied with my overwhelming workload and readings. Honestly, I did not expect it to be this hard, but I was there already, so I needed to work harder. I chose this for myself. 

Sleepless nights going from class to work. I would finish my readings in the middle of working. I just can't leave the coffee shop for too long. I wanted to be responsible there. Kahit doon na lang ako maging responsable.

I lessened partying, and that lessened fucking, too. Hiro couldn't believe that I went two weeks not having any action with anyone. "Bro, it's really hard. I fucking swear... As much as I want to go out there and continue my old lifestyle, I don't have the time." 

[You chose that, Shan. Deal with it.] Tinawanan pa niya ang paghihirap ko. [Who knows? Maybe it's law school that will change you.] 

"I'm not someone that needs some 'changing,'" sabi ko at napailing. "I know what I'm doing." 

[It's nice to self-reflect sometimes.] He smiled at me through the video call. [So what happened to the bills? Did you keep them?]

"Of course! Where will I spend them on?!" I was getting heated again, remembering the moment I laid my eyes on the side table and saw the money. "I'll find her again and return the money she gave me!"

[Are you still talking to your dad?] he asked after a long peaceful silence. 

I shook my head. "Barely." I didn't want any business with that old man as much as possible. Kapag sinusundo ko si Elyse, hindi ako lumalabas ng sasakyan. I always refused to have dinner with them, although Tita Erin tried again and again. She should already know that there was no way I'd sit at the same table with Alfred.