Conquering Territories: Completed

20

I just took photos of him playing with the kids. It might seem strange but, Jacob was one of the most secretive when it comes to his emotions. For the past months, he was either competitive or raging with anger. Seeing another side of him somehow made me curious about what's more of him.

Half an hour passed by before Jacob went beside me. His hair was now messy because he played with the kids. It was unusual for him to do those things. I thought he was a kind of person who would shout "die" at every kid who messes with him.

"Are you done?" Jacob welcomed me with a question. I answered him with a nod, since I'm still surprised on what I saw awhile ago. Children and Jacob really doesn't suit well.

I couldn't help but to think if he really was angry with me. He managed to smile and talk casually with kids he just met. On the other hand, the both of us barely talked with each other even though we're group mates. Siguro sa akin lang talaga ang galit niya.

I feel so special, note the sarcasm.

"Jacob," I called his attention. Hindi ko alam kung saan ko ba kinukuha ang lakas ng loob ko. He looked at me with the same blank face, as if I was just nothing to him. "I won't beat around the bush. May galit ka ba sa akin. Don't ask me how did I come up with that question. Alam kong alam mo kung bakit ko naitanong 'yan."

I thought he would act as if he was a timebomb but, he faced me and started to talk. "Anger was an overstatement. Hindi ako galit. Naiinis ako."

He eyed me with expression present in his eyes. I thought I would see anger or something similar but, it wasn't. It was disappointment.

"I just want to be the best yet, it was you who managed to be that best."

Minutes had passed yet, my mind was still processing things. Jacob left me still confused with what was he talking about. Hindi pa rin pumapasok sa isip ko kung ano ba ang ibig niyang sabihin.

"I just want to be the best yet, it was you whomanaged to be that best."

It took me a couple of minutes until I decided to walked back to the campus. My partner was nowhere to be found, as if he walked out after saying those things. Hindi na rin ako nag-abala pa na hanapin siya dahil siguradong magkikita naman kaming dalawa. Impossible naman na hayaan lang niya ang grades niya.

The moment I entered the campus, some students looked at me as if I did something. I was about to ask them why but, I realized something. Jacob wasn't with me. Maybe they were concluding that the two of us fought. Mabilis pa naman gumawa ng kwento ang mga tao sa campus na 'to. May it be a journalism student or not.

I tried to avoid those stares while walking yet, it was unbearable. Nakakailang. I was on the verge of breaking down when I felt an arm on my shoulder. Aris' grin welcomed me as I turned to his direction. Siguradong may itatanong na naman ang lalaking 'to. Mabilis pa naman ang sagap ng lalaking 'to pagdating sa chismis.

"Anong nangyari sa lakad niyo ni Mr. Sungit?" Aris asked while moving his eyebrows. I couldn't help but to roll my eyes. Sa tingin ko talaga ay dapat siya ang kukuha ng Journalism sa aming dalawa.

"Gumawa lang kaming dalawa ng duo assignment," I shortly answered before shoving his arm. "Hindi kami nagpatayan, if that matters."

Aris chuckled before he grinned. "Wala naman akong sinabing nagpatayan kayo," he said in a sing-song voice. Sigurado na talaga ako na hindi basta-basta matatahimik ang lalaking 'to.

"Alam ko ang tumatakbo sa isip mo, Aristotle," I said. "Di kami nagtalo ni Jacob. Nothing happened. We only made our assignment."

"Kadiri talaga kapag naririnig ko 'yang Aristotle na 'yan." Hindi ko mapigilang matawa nang marinig ang sinabi niya. He really hated his name. "So, wala talagang away na nangyari?"

"Wala." Aris held out a deep sigh. "Sayang."

"Halatang-halata talaga kung sino ang mahilig sa gulo." Aris and I went inside the library to get some of my reviewers. Tapos na rin naman na kasi ang klase niya ngayong umaga kaya ako ang pinagti-tripan niya.

"It's just that, impossibleng walang gulo na mangyayari sa pagitan niyong dalawa. The name Jacob and Khaydel doesn't fit well, bro," Aris said as he helped me picked some of the books that I need.

I couldn't help but to remember those things that Jacob said awhile ago. He wasn't angry. He was just disappointed on what became the result. He wanted to be the best yet, I ruined his chance.

"Hayaan na lang natin siya." I continued packing some of my reviewers before I bid Aris a goodbye. Sabay-sabay daw silang kakain ng mga blockmate niya. Sabagay at uuwi na rin ako.

I was walking towards the exit but, I saw a familiar figure standing in front of the gate. His black bomber jacket was visible under the bright sunlight. His fair complexion was emphasized because of what he was wearing.

"Hi!" Irvin welcomed me with a smile plastered on his lips. It was small yet, it looks genuine. The first time I saw him, he looked like he was a bad boy. This time, he looked like a boy experiencing life for the first time. Ang bilis naman ng character development ng lalaking 'to.