Finding My Safe Space

Chapter 15

"Tsansing!" naiinis kong sabi bago ko siya tinulak.

"Ikaw kaya yumakap sa akin! Grabe!" he laughed while shielding himself.

"Go away!"

"Hindi mo ako paaalisin." That sounded more like a statement, and maybe he's right.

I ended up spending the whole day listening to his corny jokes and stories again.

"Bye. Good night." he waved while smiling before going out of the door.

I let out a small smile when he's finally out of my sight. Today's lighter than yesterday, should I be thankful to him?

I slept early that day which also made me get up early the next day. I planned to go to school kaya maaga pa ay kumilos na ako para makapaghanda.

Just like what I usually do, I checked on mom first before leaving. Unlike the past days, she's already awake now, but still, what she's doing is just stare outside the window. She's still pale and so thin, and my heart sinks everytime I see her.

"I'll go to school today mom. I love you." I kissed her head before going out of the room.

When I arrived at school, I immediately went inside the classroom because I need to talk to my prof about my absences and some activities I've missed. Good thing our prof was considerate enough to give me chances dahil valid naman ang excuse ko.

"Hi." Lara greeted me and smiled pagkarating niya. I just gave her a nod.

The first class went well, kahit absent ako ng ilang araw ay hindi naman ako nawala masyado sa discussion. I was about to go out of our room when I noticed my classmates looking at me.

I'm sure as hell this time that it's not because of my outfit dahil nakainstitute polo and pants lang naman ako. Sure din ako na hindi dahil sa mukha ko dahil light make-up lang naman ang inapply.

So why are they...

Anyway, problema na nila 'yan. I shouldn't be curious. Usually, wala naman akong pakialam.

I continued walking hanggang sa makalabas na ako ng ARFAB. I'm kind of feeling hungry na kaya diretso ang lakad ko papuntang NRH hall dahil doon ko gustong kumain ngayon. Naroon kasi 'yong bet ko na sausage.

I was about to pay for my meal when Lara showed up beside me.

"It's on me." she smiled and handed out her one thousand peso bill to the cashier.

"I can pay, I have money." I lazily said.

I don't know, it just feel uncomfortable when someone's paying for my meal when I have my money naman.

"It's okay, it's my treat today!" I just gave her a nod, I don't know what's with her today.

We sat near the glass window. Medyo punuan sa canteen kaya medyo mainit and I find it kind of annoying.

"Hi, Lara! Pwede ba kaming tumabi?"  Two of our classmates in Rizal approached us. I also think they're Lara's acquaintances, friends, or whatever.

"Wala na kasing bakante."

Lara looked at me and I just nodded. Mainit kapag marami sa table, pero bearable naman. Hindi naman ako magtatagal, aalis din ako pagkatapos kumain.

"Thank you." They smiled at me. Hindi naman ako close sa kanila kaya tumango lang ako.

They started talking about school works and professors, hindi naman ako makarelate kaya diretso lang akong kumain. I was about to finish it when Lara turned to me.

"Uuwi ka na ba after school? Shopping muna tayo! It's on me, don't worry!" she said while smiling. What's with her?

"Hindi pa ako uuwi but I need to go to the office." umiiling kong sagot.