Soulmates

Chapter One

-01-

ANG HAPON NG HUWEBES na ito ay katulad lang ng mga nagdaang hapon.

Si Sir Macalintang ay nakatayo sa harap, suot ang blue jeans niyang kupas at isang puting polo shirt. He was giving instructions for our final output, his voice monotonous yet authoritative. Almost everyone miraculously listened.

It was for our last output in Arts. A presentation that would apply everything that we have learned this semester. May kalayaan daw kaming kumanta, umarte, sumayaw, magpinta...

"Kayo nang bahala!" pabirong sigaw  ni Sir Macalintang, dahilan upang magtawanan ang buong klase.

Narindi na siguro si Sir sa sunod-sunod na mga tanong ng mga kaklase ko kung pwede ba ang naiisip nilang ideya.

Sir is one of the oldest teachers in the schools, also one of the best, and he has a great sense of humor.

I chuckled as my seatmate attempted to butt in another question. Napailing na lang ako.

I was sitting in the third row, my mind wandering to what series I'll watch when I go home.

There were only 13 minutes until dismissal when I felt a light tap on my shoulder. Precious, my seatmate, was smiling at me together with her group of friends.

"Elizander, want to join our group? We're planning a theater act." She smiled a little wider, waiting for a reply.

I almost forgot that unlimited collaboration is allowed as long as everyone fairly gets a part— na duda akong mangyayari.

I smiled back after quickly thinking of a plausible excuse.

"I'm planning to go individual, e. May mga tinatapos kasi akong personal projects so baka hindi ako makasabay sa schedule niyo, ayaw ko namang maging pabigat." pagsisinungaling ko nang kaunti.

Ang tinutukoy kong personal project ay ang mga tatapusin kong series at babasahing mga libro.

Medyo nakakainis kasi ang group work para sa akin, sakit sa ulo. Imagine adjusting for a few people. I'd rather work and stress alone, lahat pwede kong isisi sa sarili ko.

"Sayang naman..."

Precious did not ask further, and turned towards Sir Macalintang who was giving his final instructions.

When class ended, everyone was either talking about their plans with their chosen groups, complaining about the only project this semestral break, or just picking up their bags and leaving the classroom.

Napangiti na lang ako sa theatrics ni Anna sa teacher's table habang nilalabas ang mga hinanakit.

"Hindi ito makatarungan!" Anna enunciated every word with a trembling voice, like she was filled with rage. "Ang sembreak ay panahon ng pahinga, panahon para huminga! Ngunit bakit tila may pares ng mga kamay na nakabalot sa aking leeg..." pag arte niya nang may kasamang hikbi at malalaking kumpas kamay. "Pwede bang tagalog ang performance?"

Lahat ng natira sa classroom ay natawa nang mag tanong siya na akala mo'y wala siyang luha sa pisngi at hindi nakaluhod sa sahig. Typical Anna.

Lahat maliban kay Soren na suot ang puti niyang headphones habang nagwawalis. Siya na lang ang natira sa Thursday cleaners, at pito na lang kami sa classroom. Kaming anim naman ay walang interes na tumulong, and Soren doesn't look like he'll accept help.