Summer Night

Chapter 4

Lardizabal, nasaan ka na? I've been waiting here for almost 15mins now.

I texted Mr. Egocentric. Surprisingly, I receive no reply. He's getting into my nerves ever since that very first information the dean's informed me. Naghintay pa ako ng tatlong minuto. Kapag talaga wala pa siya right at 9:45am ay aalis na ako.

And just then, when I'm about to leave the library, bigla siyang lumitaw out of nowhere. Parang isang mushroom.

"Sorry, I can't leave the game early kaya..." maybe he realized I furrowed my brows so he stopped talking.

Umupo na siya, facing me. Kahit naka aircon ang library ay tumatagaktak ang pawis niya. It's obviously a sign na galing nga siya sa basketball game nila. He looks like a mess. 

"Engr. Laxa talk to me over the phone and she said na you have not only three lapses according to her records, but lima raw 'yung lapses mo and kailangan mong icram 'yon 'til second week next month," sabi ko, without even looking at him.

Engr. Vernadeth Laxa is our instructor in our Highway and Railroad Engineering course. She's insanely strict, as in super.

He didn't answer. Annoying.

I just handed him the modules. Tahimik kaming pareho. Hindi man lang siya nagpalit muna ng damit, or kahit man lang nagpatuyo ng pawis. He smells good pa rin naman pero hindi 'yon enough reason para magpakita siyang ganyan sa'kin. He was totally looks like a mess, a handsome mess, indeed.

After a not so long hour, hindi ko namalayang nakatulog pala ako. Nagising ako nang tapikin ng tatlong beses ni Russel ang pisngi ko.

"Classes in all level just got suspended so magsasara na ang school by 11:30," sabi niya.

Humikab ako. I stretched up my arm. "Let's continue tomorrow, then," I said.

"They notified me, I still have to cram," he said left with no other option.

"They?" I confusely asked.

"The three instructors," sagot niya.

"Where are we suppose to stay, then?" tanong ko ulit.

"Outside school, I guess," his shoulder shrugs.

"No way," I instantly refused. "We can stay at my place," I said, "but if ever they will ask you about us, just ignore them."

Crowded ngayon and front at back gate ng school. Nedyo mausok na rin ang kapaligiran since sabay sabay ang mga sasakyan na umandar. May isa pang gate ang school pero for officials lang ng university. Sinabihan niya akong antayin ko na lang siya sa front gate since walang masyadong mag-eexit do'n mamaya. But unfortunately, sobrang crowded nga kagaya ng sinabi ko kanina.

We stood up, left with only one option, our eyes met then we both sighed. Guess the only choice is to walk.

"Malayo pa ba?" he asked. Nakalabas na kami ng school.

"200 meters pa," sagot ko.

"Ow," he uttered.

Problema nito?

"We just already walked a hundred meters," sabi niya.

"So?"

"Magtricy na tayo," he suggested.

"Okay!" I replied.

Pumara siya ng tricy. One seat at the driver's side and the baby seat were only not occupied. Tumingin siya sa'kin.

"Ako na sa baby seat," he insisted.

Two girls inside the tricy exchanged a look. Kinilig pa nga sila nang umupo na si Russel sa baby seat. What a cringe. It seemed like they are enjoying the view, perhaps.