STRANGERS WITH MEMORIES (ON GOING)

CHAPTER V

Over the past few weeks, may iilang hindi inaasahang mga pangyayari. Katulad na lang ng pag-alis ni Shawn noong last week. He went to Dubai to take good care of her ill Mom. It was okay for him since tapos na naman siya sa course niya last school year. He took Tourism. Sadly, ‘yong plano naming gumala sa classic styled barbeque restaurant ay hindi natuloy dahil sa pag-alis niya.

Another thing, mas naging close kami ni Klyde. Who would have thought na magiging close friends pala kami though nagsimula lang naman kami sa dalawang can of beers. We used to hang out kapag may free time ako. Napag-alaman ko ring tapos na siya sa college life niya. He took Business Ad. Actually, he was starting his career by being an investor Tesla Company. It was easy for him to invest such a large amount of money in that company because Klyde was a wealthy man. Marami na siyang naikwento sa’kin about sa kaniya at sa pamilya niya. I had also read some articles about him, isa siyang sikat na tao lalo na sa States. His father was Ferrer Coriander, an owner of a transport company and his mother, Ethyl Coriander, an owner of a pharmaceutical company here in the Philippines and a CEO of a pharmaceutical company in USA. Klyde must be living a luxurious life.

Napatigil ako sa pag-iisip nang may ma-realize ako. Since the first night I met Klyde Coriander, I could imagine my future with him pero the question is, do I deserve him? Does he deserves me? Malaki ang pagkakaiba namin, kung siya ay langit, ako naman ang siyang lupa. For sure, katulad sa mga teleseryeng napanood ko, ia-arranged marriage lang si Klyde sa isang babaeng manggagaling sa isang mayaman na pamilya. Culture ng mga mayayamang tao.

As of now, working student ako, mag-aaral sa umaga at trabaho sa gabi, same location pa rin, sa convenience store ni Ate Estella at ito pa, still working pa rin ang corny na si Johann doon, same sched kami.

At sa araw na ito, first day ko sa klase. Ilang minuto na akong nakatayo sa harap ng salamin. After how many minutes, pumunta na ako sa sala para mag-handa ng pang breakfast ko. No need na rin akong magdala ng pang-lunch dahil may cafeteria naman doon sa university.

A text popped up on my phone screen and ‘his’ name appeared as well.

From: Klyde
Good morning. Good luck on your first day, Sabrina.

A smile was written on my face. It was just a simple greeting pero napapatalon na nito ang puso ko.

To: Klyde
Thank you, Klyde. Good morning, by the way.

Medyo may kalapitan lang din ang CIT sa apartment kung saan ako tumutuloy kaya jeep lang ang sinasakyan ko. Saktong 7:30 nang umaga ay lumabas na ako ng building at naghintay ng jeep. Magsisimula ‘yong klase namin after 30 minutes.

Matapos ang limang minutong biyahe, nandito na ako sa harap ng gate ng CIT University. Mainly students that were taking engineering ay dito nag-aaral. I guess, this university was really made for future engineers.

I let out a deep breath and smiled, “It’s nice to be back.” I glanced at the guard that I already knew since mula first year ko rito ay siya na ang security guard dito, “Good morning, Kuya Jhon.”

“Magandang umaga, Sab!” magalak niyang bati. “Huwag pasaway sa klase.” paalala niya na parang ama ko na.

Ngumiti lang ako at tumango, “Opo, Kuya.” nakangiti kong sambit.

Hindi ko na kailangan tumingin sa board na nasa covered court para hanapin ang block ko kasi kahapon lang, inemail ng school ang magiging block ko.

I made my way to the second building. Syempre dadaan pa ako sa may hagdan dahil nasa third floor ang room ko. Pagkapasok ko sa silid ay medyo maingay dahil may mga nag-uusap sa tabi, nagchi-chikahan, ang iba naman ay naglalaro ng ML. Napili ko na lang na umupo sa gitna para center of attraction, joke. Wala lang, bet ko lang talaga rito sa gitna.