BLINDED BY THE RAIN

Chapter 1

"Aray!" Mga patak ng napakainit na pinakulong tubig ang itinapon sa akin ni kuya Rhey. I was having a great dream and I never wanted to wake up because of that. Agad kong inilayo ang malambot na unan at komprotableng kumot ko upang tumayo at simangutan si Rhey.

"It's almost 9 o'clock, bakit natutulog ka pa rin? Have you lost your mind?" Sermon niya hanggang natapos na akong maligo. He's already wearing his usual outfit, formal polo and jeans. This is our usual scene every morning, whenever I stood up late I kinda getting used to hear his ear-breaker voice. It's so sad that until now, I am still feeling unfortunate whenever I listen to him. For nonsense reasons, it made me feel heavy.

"Ano na naman 'yang nasa isip mo? Bakit mo nilagay sa ref ang sandok?" Agad kong naisip na nagsasaing pala ako ng kanin habang siya ay nag-aantay sa lamesa. Hindi ako sumagot at kinuha ang tirang spaghetti sa ref. "Masyadong lutang 'tong babaeng 'to, hindi man lang nag-iisip sa oras." dagdag pa niya nang nakaupo na ako sa mesa.

"Matagal ka na namang natulog kagabi?" tanong ni mama matapos ilapag ang pinainit na paksiw. Mama tried to look straight to my eyes. I know she wants to diagnose me especially my dark eyebags so I immidiately looked away.

"That doesn't need answer." I mouted. A steamed athmosphere spearing at my whole existence. I glanced as my brother's eyes turned red in frustration.

"Alam mo naman na ako ang susundo sa'yo kasi inuutusan ko si Larry. Is there any reason why you let me wait for you,Carmen?"

"Rhey, huwag n'yo nang patagalin ang away niyong wala namang dahilan. Mas lalo lang kayong mahuhuli." awat ni Mama. Sinimangutan namin ang isa't isa at pinatuloy ko ang pagsubo ng kanin kasabay ng spaghetti.

Matapos akong ihatid ni kuya Rhey sa university na pinapasukan ko, agad kong hinanap ang mukha ng taong mahal ko. It's first day of school, masaya akong nasa iisang klase lang kami ni Larry at ng bestfriend kong si Lester. I still hope na pakokopyahin nila ako, just like we're highschool.

"Babe!" Agad akong sinalubong ni Larry kakapasok ko pa lang ng gate. Some students in the bench were staring at us and I can sense how nerd they are-like having a boyfriend was never in their vocabulary. "Don't look at them, babe. Ngayon lang sila nakakakita ng maganda. Plus, you have me." Inagaw ni Larry ang bag ko upang siya ang magdala.

"Yeah, you're right. Nerdies." ngisi ko at napatawa naman siya. Kung makasabi ng 'nerd' para namang hindi ka rin lutang, self.

I tried my best to look at Larry. He always had that chill face and he always smile like a jerk. But he's way more handsome. The thing I like him the most is the way how he voice himself. Honest and smart but I think there's also some extra like his eyes. I swear no one can step on his level and as I stare to him, his eyes melt me as if I am facing a fire with burning sensation. I can't believe how Larry Harrison spoils himself with the best looks.

Uminit ang aking pisngi. Nagpatuloy kami sa paglalakad ng hallway at doon namin naabutan si Lester. Si Lester ay pala-ngiti at magkaibigan kami pero kailanman ay hindi ko pa siya nakitang tinablan ng problema. Matangkad, mala-mestizong balat at malaki ang katawan ni Lester. He always has that little pencil on his upper right ear that he always forget every damn time.

"I'm really sorry if I didn't have time to pick you up. Inutusan ako ni kuya Rhey." sabi ni Larry sa'kin at tumango lang ako bago bumaling kay Lester.

"Kumusta? Balita ko, pinapayagan ka raw ng kapatid mong suplado na pag-aralin ka rito."

Ngumiti si Lester at paulit-ulit na tumango. "This time, Yes. He expected too much but I don't care."

"Hindi ba same grade level lang kayo ni Aaron?" sabat ni Larry. Biglang nawala ang ngiti ni Lester habang nakatingin sakanya. Hindi ko rin maiintindihan ang mukha ni Larry nang bigla silang huminto sa kalagitnaan ng paglalakad namin sa hallway.