Beneath the Stars (UNDER REVISION)

08

"Wow, nagsisimula na kaagad sila sa enrollment dito?"

Kagaya ng sinabi ko kay Grace, sasamahan ko siya na pumunta dito sa unibersidad na pagmamay-ari namin.

All eyes were on us as we walked in the hallway towards the office. Hindi ko lang alam kung tinitignan nila kami dahil alam nilang Guevarra ang apilyedong dinadala namin o dahil sa suot ni Graciella na napaka-it girl ang datingan?

"I guess." She shrugged, looking around.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked.

She nodded. "Nothing to lose, ano bang ayaw mo sa unibersidad na ito?"

"They're just too... strict," I said. "Kapag maraming bawal, nakakasakal."

Napangisi naman siya. "It's called discipline, dear cousin."

I glared at her, "Wow, coming from you?"

Graciella chuckled. "You're much more worse than me, I can handle it."

Napailing ako. "Smells like trip to Dean's office every day, huh?"

"That's you. Twice a week lang ako."

I smirked. She spoke pure facts.

Maganda naman ang university when it comes to the surroundings; fresh painted walls, delicious foods, well-organized, nice uniforms—it has it all. Worth it talaga ang tuition kung tutuusin.

I guess it also has a friendly environment, I've never studied here actually so I really don't have any idea.

Guevarra University has a high and respectable reputation... and it may be possible that Graciella will be the one who will stain it, or not?

Masungit 'yong Dean, syempre, si Adelaide iyon e... asawa ng kapatid ni Abuelo na si Don Camillo.

I'm Grandpa's favorite... but that woman, she despises me. Syempre, pasaway ako sa paningin niya mula bata pa lang ako.

Grandpa's in Japan right now, kaya hindi ko muna sila mabibisita... not when the witch is there.

Natapos din kaagad si Graciella kaya maaga lang kaming makakauwi. Nang paalis na kami ay may biglang tumigil ang pinsan ko sa paglalakad. I, too, did the same.

"Oh my, what a lucky day..."

Napatingin ako sa tinitignan niyang direksyon at may nakita akong isang lalaking nakasandal sa pader sa may clinic, hindi kalayuan sa amin. He was drinking an energy drink, bagsak ang buhok at halatang kakaligo lamang. I couldn't see his face clearly, side profile niya lang kasi ang nakikita ko.

Mukhang familiar...

I looked at Graciella, I swear I could see hearts in her eyes.

"Who the hell is that?" I asked. Umayos ng tayo 'yong lalaki at halatang paalis na pero si Graciella ay nakatulala lang at na-estatwa sa kinatatayuan niya.

Napailing nalang ako.

I snapped my fingers infront of her which made her jolt back to reality.