THE DIVINE ENCOUNTER

Chapter 25: BOOKS

Chapter 25: BOOKS

KAY LOPEZ

Monday morning, traffic is terrible in the heart of U-Belt. The buses keep on buzzing, different kinds of cars waiting to move, bumper to bumper jeeps. People walking and running. This is my everyday routine going to school.

It's 8:00 am and I have 29 minutes before 8:30 am for my first class but it seems that I can't make it medyo malayo layo pa ito sa katotohanan if I walk.

"Please one more traffic lights and I almost there kahit lakarin ko nalang."

Later on, when the bus where I riding is moving, I feel relieved. I ready my things so that anytime makakababa ako and walking towards sa school.

It was 8:20am when I arrived, mahaba haba pa ang lalakarin ko from gate. It takes 10-20 minutes depending on the speed of your walk.

I saw Mimi walking slowly like walking in the park with someone special. I walked hurriedly para mahabol ko siya.

"Hi, good morning miss. You look like you're walking in the park with a boylet, ang bagal. Parang wala kang class na aatenan na in fact late ka na. You have 10 more minutes left. Malayo layo pa ang lalakarin natin bilisan mo na po!"

Nagulat si Mimi na napatingin sa akin na parang nakakita ng multo.

" Uyy, bestie. Ikaw pala yan. Nagulat ako sayo kala ko kung sino."

Sumagot si Mimi ng hindi ko inaasahan na ganon ang kanyang sagot. Parang may something strange na nangyari sa kanya. Hinatak ko siya papuntang classroom dahil 5 minutes nalang ang natitira sa aming dalawa. Wala siyang nagawa kundi sumunod sa akin.

Nasa corridor na kami ng sabay kaming napahinto nang may tumatakbong guy na nagmamadali. Maraming dalang books, hindi na namin kayang maiwasan pa kaya nag bumped sa katawan namin. The books were all scattered on the floor.

"S-sorry ladies, I don't intend to hurt you,"

"No, it's okay," sabi ni Mimi na nagpapacute sa guy.

As I scan the guy up and down he seems to be taking Medicine. Nakita ko sa nameplate niya, Brent Carter ang pangalan, 4th year student. Mukhang foreigner.

"Baka siguro late na din 'to kaya nagmamadali mukhang nerdy pero has the look, kaya siguro nagpapacute si Mimi sa kanya."

Nagkatinginan kami ng guy.

"Miss, so sorry, hope you're okay,"

Nakasimangot si Mimi while Brent is talking with me kasi nakatingin at nagsasalita ang guy hindi sa kanya.

"Yeah, sure." my simple answer.

Inabot ni Brent ang kamay niya at sabi.

"Hi, I'm Brent Carter, 4th year, Med student" nakangiting nag aalok ng kamay. Inabot ni Mimi ang kamay niya.

"I'm Mimi Cruz and this is my best friend, Kay Lopez." na naka-smile.

"Nice, meeting you ladies." hindi nakatingin kay Mimi kundi sa'kin kahit magkaharap sila at magkahawak ng kamay.

Nag-smile nalang ako na nahihiya and answered him back.

"Nice meeting you too." without reaching his hands but instead nilagay ko pa sa likod ko.

I'll go ahead now, hope to see you soon." nakatingin pa rin sakin si Brent na naka-smile.

Hinampas ako ni Mimi sa braso.

"Girl, ano ba yan, nakakainis ka! Bakit ganon ikaw nalang parati napapansin agad ng mga guys, —how 'bout me? —am I ugly?" pouting her lips while twirling her hair, for short nagpapa-cute rin kahit sa'kin.