Love At First Argument (Law student series#1)

CHAPTER 22

It’s been days since every morning kami ni Kade na nag-aaral para sa darating na Debate of Law students. Kahit sanay na sanay akong mag-salita sa harap, hindi ko parin maiwasang kabahan sa possibleng mangyari. Alam ko namang kaya naming dalawa, pero a lot of law schools will be joining. Tapos, sa Adamson Law School pa gaganapin. That’s the first law school in Asia. May campus ang school sa mga bansa sa Asia. So, expected that ALS is also in Philippines, at doon gaganapin ang contest.

“Hey, what are you thinking?” Kade suddenly asked nang mapansin niyang natahimik ako bigla.

I smiled to assure him that I was fine. “I was just thinking about the possible outcome of the contest. Okay lang ako. Ano kaba!” I answered.

Ngumiti naman ito at hinawakan ang kamay ko.

“I know, this will mean a lot for you. I know how much you love public speaking. I can sense it. Makikipagtalo ka ba with textual evidence if you fear standing on your own? I believe you.” I smiled again because of his words.

Hindi na ako nakasagot dahil sumulpoy si Attorney Montero at Soleia.

“Ang sweet naman ng mga bebe ko na ‘yan!” Abot-tengang ngiti ni Sol habang sinasalubong kami ng yakap.

“It’s been a while. Saan ka ba nag sususuot?” Tanong ko sakaniya.

Bumulong naman ito saakin. “Binabakuran si Attorney Chi.” Bulong nito at tumawa pagkatapos.

Kumunot naman ang noo ng dalawang lalaki saamin. Umismid naman ako at nag-salita. “Ano ba kayong dalawa! That is what we call girls talk.”

Pinalo naman ako ng pabiro ni Sol. “Huwag mo ipag-sabi bebe ko! Baka ma-usog! Nako!” Tumawa naman ako sa sagot nito.

Alam ko naman kasi na hindi lang talaga mag-kaibigan ang namamagitan sakanilang dalawa. Ever since dumating si Attorney Chi, at naging kami ni Kade, hindi na kami magkasamang apat nina Jake. Ewan rin, at saan nag sususuot ‘yon. The last time we saw him, may kasamang isang law student.

Nag-aalala lang ako kina Sol dahil Professor si Attorney Chi. Well, he’s also a government lawyer pero doesn’t change the fact na Professor at Students silang dalawa. At kahit ganon, supportado parin namin sila. I know, if you love each other— magagawan ‘yan ng paraan.

“You’re imagining what will happen to us. Right?” Biglaang sambit ni Attorney Montero habang nakatulala ako na siyang nag-patigil saakin.

Soleia let out a soft chuckle. “Umaandar ka naman, bae!” Saad nito na para bang sinasabihan niya si Attorney na. “Ayan kana naman.”

“My apologies. Nakatingin ka saakin eh. I have accidentally read your mind.” He answered.

Kumunot naman ang noo ko. “Seryoso? Nababasa mo sa mata ko? Kasi, nahulaan mo eh.” Sagot ko.

“Yeah. Anyways, how are you both doing? Malapit na matapos ang school year. Isang linggo nalang, at after that, one week ulit for clutch readings. Then, sasabak na kayo.” Kahit ako, hindi ko alam kung matatakot ba ako sakaniya o ganyan lang talaga si Attorney. Minsan lang talaga siyang ngumiti saamin. At kapag kung si Soleaia ang pinag-uusapan. He’s like a nonchalant to others. Kasi, nahuhuli rin naman namin sila ni Soleia na nagtatawanan. In fact, every time we saw them together, sobrang saya nila. Parang hindi halata. Well, pinaparamdam naman kasi ni Kade ‘yan saakin. Being an exception to every girl who tried to flirt with him. Ganon nga siguro pag inlove.

“We’re doing well.” Kade answered. Kanina pa siya tahimik. Ganyan naman talaga siya, nakikinig lang talaga siya kapag nag-uusap ang paligid niya.

“I know you two. Break a leg during the competition. I’ll say it now, kasi baka hindi ko kayo makita around campus dahil magiging busy kayo. Pupunta naman kami sa araw na ‘yan, pero I won’t be talking with you guys, pata hindi ma disturbo ang isip ninyo.” Saad nito saamin at tinapik ang braso ni Kade, ‘tsaka tumango lamang ito saakin.