His Irreplaceable Possession

#HIP03

"Lunch"

"I ALREADY have the result of your examination last week. Someone got a perfect score and the rest passed the exam. Congratulations Psychs, you are all doing well."

Lahat ay nagpalakpakan at naghiyawan dahil sa maliit na announcement ng professor namin. Some are even teary, knowing that they've passed the exam. This is the first time that nobody among us failed the examination, it's obvious that we are all taking everything seriously since we are close to graduating.

I am proud of everyone. I saw them struggle, i saw their efforts, i watched them cry because of some overwhelming pressure. I ain't that attached to everyone, but i value each of one of them.

"Ms. Del Costa." the professor called my attention. Napatingin ako sa kaniya habang ang mga blockmates ko naman ay isa isa na ring napatingin sa akin. I am sitting at the middle part of the chairs, not so close and not too far from the board.

"Please stand up." she ordered and i immediately obeyed. I don't know why i am standing here in front of everyone, but according to our professor's smile, i think i know what is this all about.

"Ms. Del Costa got perfect score once again, more than enough to maintain her name on the deans list on our university. I think she deserve some applause, everyone." Our strict instructor announced that planted a small smile on my lips.

Everyone on the room clapped and even cheered for me and i slightly bowed to say 'thank you'.

After my morning classes, i decided to buy something to eat in our canteen. Matagal ko nang hindi natitikman ang mga pagkain rito dahil madalas ay sa shop ako nagme-meryenda. I noticed the dark sky after i left our building. Uulan pa ata.

Dahil malapit lapit na ang lunch ay madami na ang mga estudyante sa naturang gusali. Mahaba haba na ang pila pero mabilis naman ang usad kaya hindi na akong nagdalawang isip pang luminya na.

There are some students who smiled at me like as if they know me, hindi ko naman magawang ngumiti sa hindi ko kakilala kaya tumango na lamang ako at umiwas ng tingin. Mayroon pang mga nag ha-hi at gusto pang magpa-picture.

For pete's sake, I'm not an artist. What's going on with them?

Malapit lapit na ako sa counter at tska ko lamang pinagdesisyonan kung ano ang kakainin. Should i order burger or fries? Or should i order lunch instead? I'm hungry so i'll just order it all.

"Ano po 'yon?" magalang na tanong ng isang staff sa canteen. She's the old woman who gave me burger back when i am still a freshman. I got tired of finding my building and department on this prestigious university and she offered some food to eat. I wonder if she can still remember me.

"One rice, one drumstick, average burger, and large fries please." i politely told her my orders and smiled. She smiled back and told me to wait for some minute.

Habang naghihintay ay bigla na lamang umingay ang kabuoan ng canteen. Maging kami ni manang ay napalingon sa sentro ng gusali kung saan nanggagaling ang ingay. Akala ko ay may nagsusuntokan o nagsasampalan na, not until i just heard someone shouted a name.