How To Win The Game

Kabanata 1

First day in the university. I was with Kirsten, my cousin. Dito rin pala siya mag-aaral at hindi niya nasabi sa akin. She enrolled late. Kailangan pa namin umuwi mamaya para kunin ang ilang mga gamit namin bago kami tuluyang mag-stay sa dorm.

I look at her and she was roaming her eyes around the facilities. She was too indulge with it that she almost hit the lampost.

"Lutang ka ba?" I chuckled while holding her arm lightly.

"Ah, ang ganda kasi." She smiled a bit.

"Are you playing again?" Tanong ko. She was a badminton player.

"I don't think I can ever play again . . ."

I tapped her shoulder. "See you later at lunch,"

Magkaiba kami ng department kaya naman naghiwalay na kami ng daan. I'm taking up AB Communication while she's taking up Interior Design. Malayo sa main gate iyong building ng Comm, sa kabilang gate nalang siguro ako dadaan sa susunod.

Palapit na ako sa building nang tumakbo ako dahil nakita kong ang dami estudyanteng papasok sa building.

Hindi ako pwedeng ma-late!

I tapped my ID for entrance verification before strutting towards the elevator. I was the last one to enter the elevator and the signal turned off. I shut my eyes close before getting out of the elevator.

Hindi na ako umalis sa harap ng elevator dahil may mga estudyante pang dumarating. I was tapping my foot while patiently waiting for the elevator. May tumabi sa'kin pero hindi ko pinansin ito at tinignan ko lang iyong oras sa digital watch ko.

"Ang tagal," I murmured.

When the elevator arrived, I went in first. Nagkasiksikan kaya naipit ako sa gilid, I was cornered at the elevator's door and my bag got squished from my back.

"Urong naman," someone said from behind. Nagkatulakan tuloy kaya yung nasa harap kong lalaki ay mas lalong napadikit sa akin.

Itinaas ko ang ulo ko para makita siya at laking gulat ko nang makita kong si Lyanares pala iyon.

Hindi ako umimik dahil mukhang hindi naman niya ako nakilala dahil hindi man lang niya ako binati. My room's on the  sixth floor, roon lang ako nakatingin sa may floor indicator. Kada bumubukas iyong pinto ay nagkakatulakan dahil may mga lalabas.

"Sorry po," sambit niya nang aksidente niyang masagi iyong nasa gilid niya.

Sanay ba talaga 'to mag-po? I examined his side profile from my view, his prominent jaw was sleekly chiseled and his high nose bridge was literally on point. His wavy hair was a bit wet and was combed neatly. He was wearing the type A uniform, a white long sleeve polo with a black tie and black slacks.

In mondays, all courses wear the same type of uniform. Sa babae ay puting short sleeve polo na medyo puffy ang sleeves tapos may necktie rin kaming kulay itim at black pencil cut skirt with some pleats on the right side. Nakasuot rin ako ng mahabang itim na medyas at chunky loafers.

Nang makarating na sa floor ko ay nagmamadali akong lumabas ng elevator pero halos mahatak ako pabalik dahil sumabit yung ID ko. Dahil nasa labas na ako ng elevator ay walang nagawa si Lyanares kun'di ang lumabas nalang din dahil sumabi sa polo niya yung ID ko.

"Teka lang po, baka mapunit." He neared me and towered over me. Matangkad ako pero hanggang bandang leeg niya lang ako.

He was busy removing my ID on his polo. Nagpapalipat lipat lang ang tingin ko mula sa mukha niya at sa kamay niyang dahan dahang binubuhol ang ID ko.

"You really have a habit of staring?"

Napapikit ako, mukhang wala na talaga akong lusot dito.

"Bakit mahilig ka mag-po?" Paglilihis ko.