Our Blurry Lines

Episode 1

[Film Slate]

A piece of equipment used in early filmmaking. 

***

Suddenly, All I saw was darkness - but I felt something strange this time. The thick, impenetrable darkness enveloped me immediately, taking me by surprise and leaving me disoriented and unsure of what to do next. I knew I had to act quickly, but I had no idea what to do. 'Di ko alam kung bakit pero, I felt a sudden rush in my body. A rush that made me throw myself out of bed.

AAHHH!!! Late nanaman ako!

After I brushed my teeth and washed my face, dali-dali kung sinuot ang uniform ko. Buti nalang na plantsa ko na to kagabi. Kasalan to ni Allan. Kung di niya ako niyaya na manood ng drama, sana 'di ako malalate. I hurriedly took my bag beside the couch as I rushed to school. Sinigurado ko naman na mag set ng alarm kagabi pero parang wala na atang talab ang alarm. This is why I hate monday. I have a higher chance of being late. Kasi naman ang hirap mag adjust ng katawan. Kumaripas ako ng takbo. Mabuti nalang at malapit lang sa school ang bahay ko. Dumaan ako sa coffee shop na lagi naming tambayan ni Allan at kinuha ang naka-park na bike na ipinapahiram sa'kin ng may ari landlady ko at agad na dumaan kay manong na nagtitinda ng fried chicken every lunch time.

Tumigil ako ng saglit at huminga ng malalim."Manong, pa reserve na ako ng fried chicken ha, dalawa - leg part po."

"Sige Akhira," sabi ni manong sabay tango. "Late ka nanaman no?"

I smiled. "May bago pa ba manong? Palagi lang naman."

Pagdating ko sa school, naka-abang na kaagad si Allan, ang balikat niya ay naka sandal sa pintoan, as he cross his arms over his chest. Patay. Allan smirked at me, turned his back, and returned to his desk. I slowly stepped in, but as soon as my shoes touched the floor, my adviser scolded me.

"Miss Lopez, ika-3 mo na late ito ngayong week." She sighed and took her glasses off, "Isang pang late, Miss Lopez, and you will receive a penalty."

"Yes, Miss Martinez," I replied and slowly went to my desk beside Allan.

When I reached my seat, Allan handed me the notes he got from Miss Martinez's class. When our teacher left the classroom, everything went wild again. I looked at Allan, who was looking at me with a grin. No. Not really. But I can see a smile on the corner of his mouth.

"Oo na. Late na ako," I said.

"Ibig sabihin?..."

I rolled my eyes and leaned into my chair. "That means, libre ko na lunch mo. I know. I know"

Allan smiled, stood, and stretched his arms. "YES!"

This bet has been running for a week already. At syempre 3 times nang libre ang lunch niya because obviously, tatlong beses na akong late sa class this week. Swerte amp! Allan and I has been friends ever since grade school. Minsan nga napagkakamalan na kaming mag jowa dahil napaka-close na naming dalawa na halos wala na kaming tinatago sa isa't - isa.

Si Allan yung kaibigan mong tahimik at magaling sa klase pero napakakulit din. Siya yung kaklase mong madaming kaibigan kaya pwede nang tumakbo sa student council pero ayaw niya dahil hindi daw bagay sa kanya. Hindi ko nga alam kung paano pa siya nakakapasa sa mga test kahit palagi ko naman na kasama sa kabalustogan.

After a minute, Trishia, our classroom president, told us that our next subject teacher would not be present but had left an assignment. Palagi lang naman na wala yan si ma'am. Anong bago dun? When Trishia flashed the assignment on the TV screen to the class, the classroom went silent for a few seconds, and after a while, the girls started screaming, and my heart skipped a beat.