Woven on Time (Student Series #3)

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Pumasok ako nang maaga kinabukasan para pumunta ng library. I ended up walking to our classroom with a sack of dismay on my shoulder. The walls, chairs, and students I passed through were mocking me.

I settled in my chair beside Kuya El who was writing something on his notebook. It was a miracle he didn't greet me brusquely. Napapansin ko rin na ilang araw na siyang hindi late sa pagpasok.

Nilabas ko ang ginawang charm bracelet para sa kaniya. I ducked over his table and smiled while peeking at his adamant face.

"Hallo!"

He ignored me. I ran my tongue over my teeth and moved my face closer to his ear.

"Hallo..." pahaba kong bulong na nagpaigtad sa kaniya.

"Ano bang problema mo?" singhal niya at lumayo sa akin.

Ngiting-ngiti pa rin ako. "Wala po! You're so busy... give me your hand, Kuya El!"

Hindi ko na siya hinintay pang ilahad sa akin ang kamay niya. Kinuha ko na agad ang kanang palapulsuhan niya at nilapit sa akin para maikabit ang kulay brown bracelet na ginawa. Hindi naman niya binawi agad.

"Tsaran!" I opened my palms upward beside his arm, grinning.

Tatlong ikot ang haba nito sa kaniyang wrist at may maliit na palawit na four-leaf clover. Nilapag ko rin sa armrest niya ang isang maliit na lucky charm doll na ginawa ko rin kagabi. 

"This is a lucky charm doll. Puwede n'yo po 'yan ilagay sa bag or wallet!"

Bumagsak ang tingin niya roon nang walang sinasabi. I ended my smile at him when I ascertained he wasn't in his usual frame of mind today.

"Hi! Devi!" bati ko sa kaklase nang napadaan siya sa row namin.

Tumayo ako at lumapit sa kaniya, hindi pinansin ang pag-ikot ng mga mata bago ako hinarap.

"Ano?"

"Uhm... magpapaalam po sana ako. Hindi po kasi ako makakapunta bukas kasi aalis kami... pero! Puwede n'yo po akong pagawain ng props sa bahay." Ngumiti ako.

Nasabi ko na ito kay Mommy kagabi. She said my role isn't even a 'role' hence I don't have to attend the said practice. Tumulong na lang daw ako sa paggawa ng props pero sa bahay gagawin.

Her brow elevated. "Ano bang role mo ulit?"

"Ah, ako po 'yong puno!"

She sneered. "Okay. Puno lang pala. Hindi ka naman importante. Bibigyan na lang kita ng gagawin mong props."

"Thank—"

The whoosh of air caused by her sudden motion away from me sent cold that penetrated my bones. I dropped my smile as I watched her lead the way to the doorway. Bumalik ako sa upuan nang nawala na siya sa paningin ko.

Some people never failed to make me feel insignificant however they wanted. I thought the problem was within me until I got tired of pondering and just lived with it. If they have issues against me, they could have told me so I would know how to make it up.

Pero kung ayaw nilang sabihin ang problema nila sa akin... e 'di problema na nila 'yon.

Medyo maaga nagpalabas ang teacher namin bago ang break time. Nauna nga lang lumabas si Kuya El nang hindi nagpapaalam, tulad nang palagi naman niyang ginagawa.

"Oy! May surprise quiz daw sa Health mamaya sabi ng kabilang section na hawak ni Ma'am Sarah!"

"Luh? Quiz na naman? Kaka-quiz lang natin noong Wednesday, ah!"