RIVALRY [ heesun ]

eight.

KEILO'S

Monday came, the day I was scheduled to go to LEU to pass the documents needed. I woke up around 6 am to prepare. Medyo may kalayuan din kasi ang LEU sa condo that my parents bought for us kaya kailangan kong magising ng maaga to prevent getting late.

We are currently inside my car, and by means of we, I'm with my brother, Keane. It's his first day today at TSU, the school that was a lot nearer to our place compare to the university I will attend to. Keane doesn't like to go that far unlike me, so my parents and him decided to enroll him there.

Unlike LEU, TSU has an online admission. Therefore, kahit pa noong nasa Canada kami nakapag enroll na siya by uploading his documents on the school's website. Luckily, the school reached his requirements immediately and he got accepted. Ngayon din ang unang araw niya kaya napaaga ang uwi namin dito sa Pilipinas.

Oh yeah, he is a Grade 8 student by the way.

Inabot ko ang isang envelope sa kanya, containing his birth certificate and other documents. Just in case na magtanong sila ng hard copy, he has it.

"Are you sure you didn't forget anything?" I asked one more time. Kanina ko pa siya pinapahalalahanan sa mga bagay na dapat niyang dalhin since nakakalimot siya kaagad.

"I have all the things I need in my bag, Kuya. Don't worry and let's hurry up, you don't wanna stuck in traffic, right?"

I ruffled his hair while smiling.

He is growing so fast.

I started the engine of my car as I drove off and go to his school.

It only took us 20 minutes to reached his university. Ibinaba ko muna saglit ang window ng sasakyan to check on him na ka-bababa lang.

"Do not turn off your phone. Message or call me once your class ended." I reminded him, and he gestured salute na ikinatawa ko.

I just nodded at siya naman ay kumaway to signal goodbye. Nang makita kong nakapasok na siya sa gate, pinaandar ko na ang sasakyan upang tumungo sa LEU.

"Why is he calling.." I said nang makita ang call ID ni Joaquin flashed on my phone. It's not appropriate to answer calls while driving, my mom hates that so hinayaan ko muna. I'll just call him back once I get into uni.

"Thank you po." I thanked the Kuya Guard for assisting me on parking my car. Thanks to him dahil inalalayan at hinanapan niya ako ng spot dito sa parking lot ng LEU. Man, students here are just way too rich because I can see a lot of vehicles they use to go to school.

He just smiled at umalis na upang alalayan din ang mga paparating pang sasakyan.

I immediately took my phone in my pocket to call Joaquin. I bet he got frustrated that I didn't answer him earlier. He's going to scold me for that.

[ Oh!? Buti naman naisipan mong tawagan ako? Alam mo—hindi pa nga kita napapatawad sa ginawa mo sa akin last time, dinadagdagan mo na naman kasalanan mo! ] Joaquin, shouting at the other side of the screen.

See what I mean?

"What did I even do to you last time.." I said, massaging my temple.