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Chapter 03
Days after our encounter with Kishia, Kuya Suriel went home with other recognizable bruises, mayroon sa gilid ng labi at pisngi. Hindi 'yon nakatakas sa paningin ko. He quickly dismissed me so I didn't have the opportunity to point out what happened to him.
Tapos na ang mga course orientations namin at regular na talaga ang mga classes. I am having a smooth transition. Ayos naman ang block ko at sinwerte rin sa mga professors. Pero medyo inaasahan ko rin ang kaunting hassle sa transportation.
Last week, my first class began at 8 am so I had to travel for at least an hour before the class. Next, I had my next class at 1 PM and it ran for three hours. I have a broken-time schedule kaya laging indefinite ang pahinga. It was a tiresome schedule for me but still glad that I have the best company. Mostly, my friends would invite me to lunch and after school hangouts. Sumasama ako 'pag alam kong may maghahatid sa akin pauwi o may kasabay akong uwi.
I got pretty close with Mikko since he's also living around taft. 'Pag hindi ako masusundo ni Kuya Rael ay ayos lang dahil parehas naman kami ng route ni Mikko.
This time our class ended at 7 PM. I lazily looked at the red lights of the cars, vans, and jeepneys that passed by the shed. Kasama ko ngayon si Mikko at siya ang tumitingin sa mga posibleng bakanteng van o jeep.
"I think we should eat first, Mikko. It's getting late and I think we should wait for the traffic jam to condense," kuha ko sa atensyon ni Mikko.
No doubt, Mikko has striking chinese features. Siguro kaya kami magkasundo dahil may mga pagkakapareho kami sa tradisyon at iba pa. I honestly enjoy talking with him, lalo na sa kulturang kinalakihan naming dalawa. At 'di lang 'yon, I've learned that Mikko's grandparents are friends with Ahma. Nakumpirma ko 'yon noong tumawag si Ahma para kumustahin ako at naikwento ko si Mikko.
"Wanna go to the dimsum house? Angkong?" he wiggled his brows.
I chuckled at his suggestion. I already expected him to suggest it. Madalas ay kumakain kami roon, ang mismong dimsum house na 'yon ang tanging gusto ko pero nasa may Dapitan pa 'yon at tinatamad na akong maglakad.
Naubos ko na ang granola bars na dala ko ngayong araw kaya wala na rin talaga akong choice.
"Masyado nang malayo, Mikko."
"Sa'n mo gusto?"
"I don't know... maybe we could grab some coffee and cheesecake? Tapos gawin na rin muna natin ang activities natin bago tayo umuwi."
Mikko paused for a while. It seemed like he was deeply contemplating.
"Are you sure? Won't your Ahia look for you?"
"He won't. I'll text him that I'll be home late. Also... kilala ka na ni Kuya Rael."
Ngayon naman ay nanlaki na ang mga singkit niyang mga mata. Even when it's awfully dim around our area, I saw a hint of blush on both of his cheeks.
"Huh? Why?"
"Obviously, you are one of my closest friends here in Manila."
"Oh, right... Sige, magkape muna tayo bago umuwi," ngumiti siya at inaya na 'kong tumayo.
The known coffee shop had a tolerable customer population as we entered. Mikko ordered for us, pagbalik niya ay binayaran ko na lang siya sa orders ko. We both answered our activities in silence and we devoured our food as well. We solved three problem sets and we exchanged papers for cross-checking after. Mukhang wala namang mali sa mga computations namin kaya pinagpatuloy na lang din namin ang pag-aaral.
