Lurking Stalker

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟙

Rhea's Point of View

Ring… A message notified my phone as I was studying for my major subject. I saw that it’s from my mother reminding me that she’ll be away from business with my father on semester break and the fun part that I’m free to do what I want to do. I can hang out with Chloe anytime and her birthday is coming up. It is rare for her to host a party since she is an anti-social type. I just finished my last subject then I am free to go home and eat lunch at the cafeteria.

“Rhea, nandito ka lang pala. I’ve been looking for you everywhere” My best friend Chloe came up to me. One of Ateneo’s bassist and academically achiever too. Tumayo ako sa upuan at binalik yung mga libro sa pinagkuhanan ko at lumabas na kami sa New Rizal Library. 

“So, why were you looking for me earlier?” Tanong ko sa kanya at may pinakita siya sa akin blog post ng university. Chloe loves to keep up the gossip on this campus and as a quiet and reserved person she is, she holds many secrets that she only tells me. 

“The blog posted something about a student who held up for two years, hindi ko sure sa itsura pero sabi ng karamihan nandito na siya.” 

“That’s another bullshit Chloe, nagugutom na ako I want buffalo wings pag-uwi” These rumors are getting out of hand these days.  Walking down on the way to the cafeteria maraming students greeted us and boys were always be boys asking my day was which this happens every single day, Mga gold-digger naman sila pati rin mga babae only wants me for my status and don’t get me wrong Ateneans are amazing people pero yung iba lang sa kanila hindi.

Simula palang ng pagpasok ko dito sa Ateneo halos kilala na ako dahil sa pamilya kong successful sa business. Being a Garcia is not easy to deal with. I have to deal with my uncles and aunts’ toxicity of having who has more money or sales. Ganyan talaga mga Pilipino mahilig magpakita ng kanilang pera para inggitan sila ng iba pero wala namang ambag sa lipunan.

Dito kami sa Gonzaga Cafeteria kumain ng lunch halos mapupuno na ang cafeteria kaya bumili na kami ng pagkain para maghanap na lang kami ng upuan. Narinig kong may tumawag sa amin at kinalabit ako ni Chloe na tumingin sa likod ko. Nandoon si Blair with her camera at make up on set. Another vlog nanaman siya or magpopost sa kanyang instagram. Pumunta kami sa lamesa ni Blair at umupo sa harap niya.

“Perfect, kumusta Rhea and Chloe? I can’t wait sa sembreak para makapag-refresh ulit sa beach at mag-party. I’m looking forward sa upcoming competition ninyo Chloe.” 

“Thanks Blair..” Seems like Chloe is still not interested and busy to eat her food. Kumain kami as usual then I overheard whispers around us. Hindi ko na lang ito pinansin at pinagpatuloy kumain lang. 

“I guess she is back on campus and people won’t shut up about it until she is suspended again” Sabi ni Blair habang inaayos kilay niya.

“What do you mean Blair? Is there a celebrity coming here?” I asked her confusedly.  

“Haven’t you seen the blog posted this morning? Well I know you’re too busy studying and lazy to read it so to summarize it all up. There’s a student na dapat 4th year na kaso nagheld back ng two years, reason nag-drugs siya at sabi pa nga ng iba before nasa rehab siya. Kakalabas niya lang sa rehab last month. It’s better if you avoid her Rhea” 

“Chloe did tell me about that and we are about to talk about it but thanks for letting me know Blair.” Suddenly those whispers were getting louder when a particular student came to the counter to order. Even the staff here are scared of her, some of them look at her disgusted, scared, and angry. I wonder how she can deal with this criticism?