lilies.

67

Kabanata 67

I have a more flexible schedule than ever. My professors can only handle live online sessions on a Friday. Most of the lessons are recorded. They asked me to write down my questions on the chat room that the school setup if ever I have questions regarding the recorded sessions.

There is one week in a month that their professors are tasked to visit me at home for one-on-one tutoring. Since I don't like the idea of someone who's not a friend visiting our home, I went to Costa Airlines HQ in Paranaque for that specific week. I don't mind. It's fun to go out once in a while...and Grandma is sneakily starting to teach me the business.

I like it. I never heard any rumors about what happened as I rarely went on social media. It kind of bothers me though that Wendy never reached out to me. I am never good at making the first chat. It's hard. I feel like I am intruding. Steve reached out to me once to genuinely ask me how I am. I am relieved.

I hope Wendy and I are still friends. We might have totally different personalities and lifestyles, or there are times that I cannot really understand her, I still value the friendship we build. So...I do hope we're still okay.

As for Rai, I am happy. Before, he always adjusted for me. I am the one who adjusts more than him. I also got my driver's license to drive our SUV around without the driver. Grandma allowed me to drive. It'd be weird if they didn't allow me. Pinayagan nga nila akong magpalipad ng eroplano.

I usually hangout near Ateneo or something, waiting for him. There are a lot of coffee shops nearby so I can still study, read, and do my things there. Another fun thing there, almost everyone doesn't have any idea who I am. Hindi pa ako nakakasalubong ng taong nakakakilala sa akin. Most of the people there are not in the social circle who knows me and what happened. It's a relief.

Three months went by so fast.

And then the semester's done. I am enjoying homeschool.

And then it's December once again. As usual, Rai spent his vacation with his family in Saria. And I spent mine in Japan. Kasama si Grandma. Mommy cannot leave the hospital on holidays. I actually like spending my holidays abroad so our helpers at home can go home to their families to celebrate.

We both don't look forward to Christmas though. We mostly look forward to Summer. Our minds are already wandering around Europe...and this time, Gab will tag along. He said when he's done with midterms, he's going to process his visa.

For the past months, I only met Grandma, Mommy, our helpers, Gab, and Rai. I'm not even complaining but as always Gab is always afraid of my limited number of friends. I am happy with my "limited number of friends" though.

When the classes resume for January, we're back to our old routine. In February, Gab processed his visa. Sinamahan pa nga namin pero hindi kami pinapasok sa loob kaya hinintay na lang namin siya.

The time flies so fast and we're almost ending the school year.

"Hi," bati ni Rai sa akin. Tiningnan ko ang orasan matapos ay nagtataka akong tiningnan siya, "Maaga natapos ang meeting namin."

That explains it. Nasa Tagaytay kami at sinamahan ko siya sa meeting niya ngayong weekend. "I still have deadlines today."

Tapos na ang school year nila at bakasyon na nila samantalang ako may kailangan pang isubmit sa professors ko na final requirements. Na-extend kasi ang final term ko kasi hindi nila kayang ipagsabay ang one-on-one sessions namin at ang final term ng regular school.

"No problem, let's have lunch after you're finished. Are you sure you don't want to go somewhere today? It's your birthday. 21st."

He said as if it is something so important. It's not. The 18th birthday is important for the girls. 21st birthday naman ang sa mga lalaki. Siguro kaya ganoon na lang ang pag-aalala niya.