Chased by El Lewis Vesper Esquivel

Chapter 6

"Are these all your things?" He asked as his eyes rummaged through my two small suitcase.

"Uh huh…" I simply responded.

We were in front of the building and we were just waiting for our bus to come. Kumpleto na kami at masasabi kong marami-rami rin talaga kami. And the girl has been watching me like a hawk since he came to check on me.

He didn't go back where he came from and just stayed by my side. The way they looked at me only gave me two impressions. It is either they will look at me like I am a villain in their love stories or as if I am the luckiest girl in the world.

Napahinga ako ng malalim. Getting involved with him has its own positive outcome and now I am experiencing its consequences. Mahirap rin pala.

"Nandyan na ang Bus!" A student shouted and we all looked at its direction.

There were two air conditioned buses coming towards us. I scrunch my nose upon realizing that I'll be smelling the disgusting air of the air conditioner all throughout our travel time.

I can't stand the smell of air conditioned cars or buses. I have motion sickness. That is why whenever I am using my car, I need to open my window for air to come in because the air conditioning of cars just smells so nasty to me. I can't stand it.

And for buses kung sasakay man ako. Mas gusto ko na lang na maligo sa pawis ko sa sobrang init rather than riding an airconditioned one. And just looking at the two buses now made me pale.

"Okay students! Get inside, kami ng bahala na magpasok ng mga gamit niyo." One of the faculty shouted. Nag unahan naman na ang mga estudyante na makakuha ng magandang pwesto sa loob ng bus.

Mas lalo akong namutla.

"Go inside now, I'll make sure your things are placed inside." El whispered beside me.

I can't help but swallow hard but still, I nodded my head. He then held my luggages and I started walking in the bus door after.

The students are divided into two at kaunti na lang kaming nasa labas. I wish Joaquin was here...I am sure he can do some remedies with my own dilemma. At mas komportable lang kapag siya ang kasama ko sa mga ganitong pagkakataon.

I stepped my two feet inside and automatically, I just want to get outside again and inhale the polluted air of the Metro. I'd rather inhale pollution than the nasty smell of the air conditioner. Though they are both nasty, I still can't stand it.

The front seats are almost all occupied and the back portion and the only remaining. Kaya naman wala na akong nagawa kung hindi ang maglakad hanggang sa dulo nito. I covered my nose with my handkerchief as I walked through the aisle, though I can still smell the air conditioned.

There are still two empty seats for two and I quickly occupied the window side. Mas gagaan lang ng konti ang pakiramdam ko kapag nasa window's seat ako.

I removed the handkerchief on my nose to get some alcohol and upon smelling again the air conditioner, parang gusto ko na lang magsuka. I quickly poured the right amount of alcohol on my hand and into my handkerchief and put it back again on my nose. 

Kaagad akong nakahinga ng maluwag ng maamoy ko ang alcohol. The smell of it won't last but this is the only remedy that I know. At nakakahiya sa magiging katabi ko, there is a high chance that I might puke.

Para atang mas lalo akong namutla sa sariling iniisip.

I tried inhaling it slowly as I leaned my head over the window. We will travel for approximately three hours and I just need to endure it. Just three hours and it will be over.