Beyond the Fields

28

"Oh my, close to Christmas na ulit tayo at malapit na ulit ang bakasyon! Next year... 4th year na tayo, Aly!"

Ang bilis nga ng panahon.

I don't want to yet.

Parang bilang nalang ang malalayang araw ko. I don't want to handle that big responsibility yet. What if I'll fail? What if I'll disappoint my father? What if I can't handle the pressure?

I forced a smile. "Yeah, can't wait..." I whispered.

It will be my last year next year and then Klein will go to law school, while he's at his second year... I'll be learning everying about our company and I'll be expecting lots of paper works.

Shit. Kakainis naman.

But do I have a choice? None.

I'll sacrifice my freedom, I want my siblings to pursue their desired careers without any hindrance. Ako? Wala naman akong desisyon para sa sarili ko. If I wouldn't accept the position, hindi ko pa rin naman alam kung saan ako pupunta. I really don't want to pursue business but I also don't know what else interests me.

Ang gulo, 'no?

Maybe... I'm just really destined to be my father's heir.

"What's going on inside that pretty head of yours?" I heard Klein's voice and I felt how he touched my hair as he sat beside me.

Nilingon ko siya at nakita kong sumilay ang isang ngiti sa kaniyang mga labi habang nakatingin din sa akin. He's in a great mood today, huh?

"These two! Gosh, bye!" inis na sabi ni Coreen at bigla nalang umalis.

"Coreen!" we reached out in unison but she clearly ignored us as she kept on walking.

Inakbayan ako ni Klein kaya muling nabaling ang atensyon ko sa kaniya. He was wearing his glasses and a book was on his lap. Mukhang kakatapos lang yata ng klase nila, ah?

"Kanina pa kita tinatawag," aniya.

"Sorry, just pre-occupied." naiiling kong tugon. "I just realized the time,"

"Hmm?"

"You'll graduate next year," I smiled. "And I'll be at my 4th year,"

"Yeah..." He nodded. "Time really flies by so fast." aniya at nakita kong ininom niya 'yung apple juice na drink ko. I reserved it just for him, alam ko kasing gustong-gusto niya 'yon.

I stood up. "Do you want something to eat? Let's order something—"

"I'm full, darling. Nagkaroon kami ng break kaninang 10:00 AM, wala 'yung isang professor namin." sabi niya at hinawakan ang palapulsuhan ko upang pigilan.

Napatango-tango ako at muling napaupo. Tinanggal niya ang kaniyang kamay at napahalumbaba sa lamesa, sinilip niya 'yung mukha ko. "What's with the frown?"

Ang pogi, amp.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin. "Wala,"

"You know you can tell me anything,"

I nodded. "Wala nga..."

"Really?"

Muli akong tumango.

"Kiss nga kung totoo." Ngumisi siya.

Inirapan ko siya at napatingin sa paligid. "We're at school, asshole." At cafeteria pa kung saan napakaraming tao.

"Sa cheeks lang naman!" he protested, "Pag-uwi na 'yung—"

I punched his arm, "Ouch!" Hinimas niya kaagad ang kaniyang braso.