Wreaking Havoc

duodēvīgintī

Keith was... let's just say, civil. It didn't help that we were both silent even at school, but I guess she's probably trying to disassociate herself from people who are connected to politics, aka me. Hindi ko rin naman siya masisisi. I heard she chose to study abroad because she didn't like the entirety of Philippines politics, pero hindi na lang siguro siya naka-hindi kay Congressman Cojuangco. Plus she looked really busy with all the things she was handling at school. Mukha namang magaling siya sa time-management.

But it was okay... I liked the silence, pero minsan nakakabaliw kasi hindi ko ma-determine kung ayaw ba sa'kin ni Keith or kung gusto niyang ako 'yung mag-initiate ng conversation. Nakakamiss din pala talaga 'yung ingay ni Astrid. Pero may maingay rin naman sa paligid ko—si Andrei. 'Di naman kami masyadong nag-uusap aside kung para sa academics, pero naririnig ko siya madalas pag kasama niya 'yung mga kaibigan niya. He seemed like the happy-go-lucky kind of guy, but it was just a mere observation.

It was a Saturday and we didn't have classes kaya nagpaka-busy na lang akong mag-advance study. Everything happens so fast in medsdchool that I thought I wouldn't even be able to catch up, pero so far, wala pa naman akong bagsak... so far kasi alam ko sooner or later kailangan ko ring tanggapin na baka bumagsak ako anytime. I just really accepted that fate in med school... well at least I'd get to know my weaknesses and study them thoroughly. 

"Therese," Keith called habang nagbubukas ako ng ref to get another fruit cup which surprised me because it was probably the first time in two weeks, or probably fourth, or fifth? Sa sobrang tahimik namin pareho sa apartment, I just really vaguely remember anything the past few days because I was busy with all the studying. 

"Are you pregnant?"

Nanlaki 'yung mga mata ko nang ma-realize kong naiwan ko 'yung prenatal vitamins ko sa lamesa kaya agad akong tumayo para kunin 'yun sa kaniya. Wala man lang bang preno 'to si Keith?! We haven't even talked heart-to-heart, wala man lang bang pa-commercial na, can I ask you something? 

"Ay fuck, sorry sobrang straightforward," she uttered. 

Ang awkward tuloy. 

"I mean why am I even asking, you practically have morning sickness every time."

I faked a chuckle, "Surprise.. I guess?"

Keith sighed, "I'm sorry if I haven't been speaking to you... I was trying to adjust because I've been living here alone for the past two years so it really felt foreign," she uttered, extending her hand, "I'm Keith Cojuangco. It was rude of me to not introduce myself last week... sobrang busy kasi sa student government and you know, our course just really demands a lot so my mind has been wandering right now. It almost slipped my mind since hindi naman tayo nagpapang-abot kapag umuuwi ako."

I smiled.

"I won't ask you anything about your pregnancy... but if we both have time you can just talk to me if gusto mo ng kausap. If you need help with anything, I'm just... a room away," she uttered, pointing to her room, which had me chuckling.

"Okay lang... Naiintindihan ko naman," sambit ko, kasi napansin ko naman talagang sobrang busy niya. Nagtataka nga ako kung bakit niya pinagsasabay 'yung med school at student government, but I guess she just really loves leading people. 

Keith still looked busy kaya nagpaalam na'ko at pumasok sa kwarto pagkakuha ng fruit cup. Sunday morning na sa Pinas and Astrid was free to take Isla out for ice cream since it was her birthday kaya pagkaubos ko ng fruit cup ay agad akong nag-request for videocall. 

"Ate!" Isla exclaimed, waving her hand na may hawak na spoon. Napangiti naman ako nang malungkot... I couldn't help but to get homesick because I barely know everyone here aside from Keith and that guy whom I bumped into named Andrei, although we aren't even close enough. Tapos birthday pa ni Isla... I can't believe time flies so fast like that.