Unfinished Tale (✔️)

Kabanata 13

Cleotha

"Cleo are you okay? Namumutla ka."

Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Patricia, ang class president namin. She has that worried look on her face while looking at me. I bit my bottom lip, pilit kong inaalis ang pamumutla. Tinatawag niya akong Cleo in short for Cleotha dahil masiyado raw itong mahaba.

"I'm fine, Pat." I turned my back together with my school bag and books in my hands. Naramdaman ko ang pagsabay niya sa 'kin palabas.

"Sure ka?"

"Yes."

"I know you're very stressed today because of our pabigat groupmates sa research. Huwag mo na muna silang isipin ngayon dahil nakakasira ng beauty, ibuhos mo na lang lahat ng stress mo sa evaluation since ikaw 'yong leader." I heard her laugh.

She's right. Nagsimula na kaming gumawa ng Chapter 1 to 3 sa Practical Research 1 because our proposal will be next next week. And it's very unfortunate to be grouped with Jasmine and other two incompetent and dependent. Habang naghahanap kami ng RRL kanina ni Patricia, they were busy scrolling on their phones. I even thought they were searching for related literature or studies there but Patricia discovered that they're just scrolling on their Facebook's news feed. Sila 'yong mga estudyanteng inuuna ang landi.

I'm still thankful because Patricia and I are groupmates though.

"I'm trying, Pat. I can't wait for the day of the evaluation." Humikab ako sa gilid kung saan walang tao. Nagpuyat na naman ako kagabi dahil sa daming gawain.

It's been a week since I discovered that guy's name andp his section in Arts and Designs building. Hindi ko pa rin nakukuha ang notebook ko dahil sobrang busy ko this week kung kaya't palagi kong nakakaligtaan. It's been also a week since I decided to say 'yes' to be the contestant in Sulatanghal and now... I'm regretting it. I gave my decision impulsively because of my desire to get my notebook back. Nagsisi ako dahil hindi ko alam kung makakaya ko ba'ng i-balance ang pag-aaral at pagsali sa contest na papalapit na rin.

I heaved a profound sigh.

"Mauuna na ako, Cleo!" nakangiting kumaway si Patricia nang makarating na sa gate.

"Bye. Take care," tipid kong tugon sa kaniya.

Tinanaw ko ang pag-alis niya paglabas bago tumungo sa cafeteria upang bumili ng malamig na bottled water dahil nauhaw. I was caressing my head because it was hurting as hell. Muntik akong matisod sa isang bato kung wala lang umakay sa akin nang hindi pa man ako nakarating sa nais patunguhan.

I creased my forehead when I recognized the person who helped me. It was Suzanne.

"I think you need to sit down. Saan ka ba patungo? Are you going to the cafeteria? Ako na lang ang bibili sa gusto mong bilhin. You look so pale and sick right now." Kitang-kita ko ang pagguhit ng pag-aalala sa kaniyang mukha.

I can't help but wonder. We're not that close for her to be this... worried at me. We just met twice. Isinawalang bahala ko na lang 'yon.

Mukha ba talaga akong may sakit? Bumuntong hininga ako dahil nanghihina talaga ako. Gusto kong ipahalata ang irita nang alalayan ako nito paupo sa isang bench na para bang isa akong lumpo. I just refrained myself from plastering my annoyed face. I should be grateful that she helped me avoid myself from falling.

I lowered down my pride and told her what I want to buy in the cafeteria. Nakangiti itong umalis at pumunta sa cafeteria na malapit na rito.

Hinayaan ko ang mga matang maglakbay sa payapang kalangitan na naging kulay kahel na. Dinadama ko rin ang marahang hangin na humahalik sa aking buhok. Despite being busy and occupied with schoolwork for a week, a thought about something would still occupy my mind. My dreams.