HINX was combing her long silk black hair while she was busy reading a book. Nakahiga siya at nakaunan ang ulo sa hita ng binata. There's a blanket under the tree, payapa para sa isang mainit na tanghalian. It's their second month being together, at ni minsan ay wala siyang naging complain sa boyfriend niya. He's still her Hinx, her adorable and the best boyfriend.
It's their lunch break. Katatapos lang nilang kumain dito sa may garden kaya tumambay muna sila. Actually gusto niyang matulog dahil sa ginagawa ng binatang pag susuklay sa buhok niya gamit ang daliri nito. It's so comforting but she won't fall asleep because she still have an upcoming class.
"Do you really want to be a scientist?" Biglang tanong ng binata.
Napatigil siya sa pagbabasa at napatingin dito. Hinx was just peacefully staring at her. Mukhang kanina pa siya pinagmamasdan.
Tumango siya at sinara ang libro. Mas gusto niyang damahin ang napakapayapa ng sandaling 'yun. It's so romantic.
"Yes. Dati pa lang talaga curious na ako sa mga bagay-bagay. My Mom and Dad is so busy everyday. Palagi akong maiwan sa bahay and because I'm really curious in everything, I saw a medicine on their room. I was just a child, clueless, so I drank it. The medicin has high dosage and not good for a child kaya sinugod ako sa hospital. That push me to discover what makes up a medicine. That's the start, as I grow older natuto akong magresearch at magbasa. I'm so happy learning new things kaya siguro naging madali rin sa 'kin ang pagiging scientist. But I know this doesn't stop here. Marami pa akong gustong abutin. Being labeled as noble scientist ain't enough. I wanted a professional on my title, I wanna hear them announce that I am the young professional noble scientist, Claudia Beatrix Fortessa." Mahabang kwento niya.
She dreamed to have her masteral and doctorate on the biggest university abroad. That's Dr. Spade suggestion to her, doon kasi ito nag-aaral dati. And she wanted to broaden her scope, kung papalarin lang sana na makakuha ng invitation na galing sa paaralang 'yun but that would be impossible. Sobrang pihikan ang university na 'yun.
Muli siyang napaangat ng tingin sa binata, kinabahan dahil baka nabored ito sa pagsasalita niya, but Hinx look at her with admiration. His eyes were flashing with proud and admiration to her.
"What?" Natatawang untag niya.
Ngumiti ang binata at umiling.
"I'm such a lucky man to have the girl who dream big and have goals in life. It just mean how responsible and great you are. At wala pa man naabot ang pangarap mo but I'm always be proud at you, love."
Ngumiti siya sa binata. "Thank you. Ikaw naman magkwento ka."
Nahihiyang umiwas ng tingin ang binata. Tila nahihiya itong magsabi.
"Love, please? I wanna hear about your life." She cutely said and of course Hinx can't resist her.
"There's nothing interesting in my life not until you came. You knew this already, I was lady pleaser, I had flings just for some flirting, and I thought that I was living the best part of life, especially that I had a night life. I was having so much fun in the bar but all of that seems boring and pity when I met you. I have nothing to be proud of from my past unlike you Claudia, I'm not great---"
Napatigil si Hinx sa pagsasalita ng bumangon siya at inangkin ang labi nito. Hinx frozed but respond eventually on her kiss.
"Please, don't say that again, Hinx. You're great man. I don't care about your past issues, it won't affect me because that's not what you showed me. Don't look bad on yourself, because I see the best in you. You're my best boyfriend, you are my Hinx."
A small suppressed smile appear on his lips.
"I'm...I'm the best?"
Ngumiti siya at pinatakan muli ito ng halik.
"The best of the best."
Hinx sighed dreamingly ang hugged her. Natawa siya pero niyakap niya ito pabalik.
"Ano na lang ang gagawin ko kung mawawala ka. That would probably my greatest downfall." He said and hugged her tighter.
Napangiti siya. She can't lose him, too. So, she won't lose him.
"THERE'S an international science quiz next month and automatically Claudia will be our contestant but we're considering between Von and Homer, kung sino ang makakasama mo." Anunsyo ni Ma'am Cielo sa klase.
Napatango siya. Every year, she have join that international quiz, hindi na bago sa kanya 'yun. Dati babae ang kasama niya, seniors, pero siguro ngayon ka-batch na lang niya dahil seniors rin naman na sila.
She would prefer Von, mas daling kasama dahil magkakilala na sila but Homer is not bad tho, he's a med student, balita niya ay seryoso ito sa pag-aaral kahit maloko.
"I volunteer." Biglang sabat ni Hinx sa tabi niya.
Napalingon ang lahat dito.
"Hinx..." He's not doing it for her, right?
Akala niya nagbibiro lang ito, siguro pati mga kaklase nila iyon rin ang akala pero nanatiling seryoso si Hinx. Walang halong biro.
"I could study about Science. Just let me be her pair."
Napailing ang guro.
"Hinx, set aside your personal issues---"
"You think I can't do it? May isang buwan pa para makapag-review ako. We could win it." Mariing saad ng binata.
Napabuntong hininga ang guro, alam nitong magpupumilit pa rin si Hinx pero hindi talaga pwede.
"Hinx, science is just your minor subject while Von and Homer that's their major. I know you're smart but we need experienced----"
"Then, test the three of us. We'll take a quiz and kung sino ang may pinakamalaking score ay siya ang makakasama ni Claudia." Hinx suggested.
Bakas ang pinalidad sa mukha nito. Kahit ang guro ay wala ng magawa dahil magsasayang lang ito ng enerhiya para pakipagtalo pero hindi talaga magpaptinag si Hinx.
She sighed.
"Hinx, just let it pass this time." Kausap niya sa binata.
There's a pain crossed his eyes but it was just a matter of millisecond and she have thought that maybe it was just her mind playing with her.
"No, Claudia. I'll win the test, not just to be with you but to prove that I'm worthy for you." He said firmly that made her sighed in surrender.
Tho, there's nothing to prove to her, she loves him already. Mukhang hindi sila magkaintindihan nito sa binata.
