Reaching Your Hands

07.

"I can't believe it, bakit ambilis ng panahon?! Next week we're already college students," April groaned as she slumped back into the wooden chair. Tinawanan ko na lang ito at patuloy na nag-sketch sa aking papel. "It makes me sad to think that we will all part ways. Siguro may ilan sa ating pupunta sa isang unibersidad, pero hindi tayo kumpleto." Shai pouted.

"Uwi kayo dito, ha?"

Ares chuckled at them, "OA amputa, magkikita-kita pa rin tayo." Binatukan naman siya ni Cheanne. "OA tapos magrarant ka sa'kin na gusto mo nalang magkita-kita tayo!" He exclaimed. The others eventually smirked and found their time to tease Ares. "Shut up, bro. Kabag lang 'yon," He laughed awkwardly.

As I shifted my focus to Trase, I noticed a smile on his face. He glanced at me and asked, "Hi, are you feeling nervous about next week?" I reached out and gently intertwined our hands, nodding in response. "I'm not sure if I'll be able to make friends there."

"How about you? Kabado ka rin ba for next week, Doc Zidane?" I chuckled to myself, knowing that despite the challenges, he would pursue his dream to become a successful and compassionate dentist. He immediately smiled, "Bagay ba sa'kin?"

Hindi ako nakasagot agad dahil biglang sumingit sa usapan itong si Ares at Cheanne. "'Tong dalawa, may pinag-uusapan tayo tapos sila may sariling mundo," Reklamo ni Cheanne. Binatukan naman siya ni Rai at umirap. "Inggit ka kasi!"

"Luh! Grabe ka kung magsalita, Moraiah, ha!" Reklamo niya. Napapapikit na lamang ako sa ingay ng boses nilang umaaligid sa paligid. We're currently spending our time together here in a mini park. Mabuti na lamang at kami lang 'yung tao rito, wala kaming magagambala.

"Hindi pa 'ko ready next week! Hoy, Zi. Kukunin ba ako ng pamilya mo para sa future internship ko diyan sa Rodriguez Hospital?" Freya jokes, I knew how much she wanted to be one of the Rodriguez Hospital's nurses. Knowing how good the reputation of the hospital is? Halos karamihan ng mga kakilala kong nursing student din ay doon ang gusto.

"Baliw ka talaga, Chelsea. 'Di ka pa nga first year, e, internship na agad nasa utak mo," Carmela shook her head before chuckling. "Excited ako, e! Thomasian na nga 'yung tao, nursing student pa!" Napaka-taas talaga ng energy nila! Halos hindi ko sila mapantayan sa tuwing nag-uusap kaming lahat.

But despite being the quiet one in our friend group, we maintained a healthy relationship with each other. Ayaw na ayaw nilang may mal-left out na isa sa aming mga tahimik lang. "Tahimik mo nanaman," Rai pointed out as she sat beside me holding a mini flower. "Galing sa kaniya 'yan," Naging mapang-asar naman ang ngiti ko bago siya umirap kahit halatang kinilig.