BOOK 02: DOROTHEA (ON-GOING)

CHAPTER 2

Kasalukuyang nasa school na kaming tatlo nina Keige at Hich, magkakahiwalay ang aming building. Nagpaiwan na lamang ako sa entrance at dahil hihintayin ko ang isa kong kaibigan. Dala ko na rin ang aking tumbler at ang libro na kaninang bitbit ni Keige. Una, nag-aalinlangan pa ang boyfriend ko kung iiwan ba niya ako sa entrance ng school. Pero sa huli napilit ko itong iwan na lamang ako para hindi siya mahuli sa kaniyang unang klase.

Pareho na kaming college ngayon, at ang girlfriend ni Hich na isa kong bestfriend na naiwan sa Cavite, kasalukuyang nag-aaral ako ng BS Psychology. Si Keige naman ang course na kinuha niya sa college ay BS Criminology habang si Hich ay BS Business Administration, gusto raw kasing mag-business nito in the future. Ang girlfriend naman niyang si Elleana ay nag-aaral naman ng BS Hospitality Management.

Ang sabi kasi niya sa amin na hindi siya kaya pag-aralin ng parents niya sa pagto-tourism niya kaya nai-kwento niya pa sa amin na kapag nakapag-ipon na siya sa America ay mag-aaral siya ng BS Tourism Management, hindi nga lang niya nabaggit kung dito ba sa Pilipinas siya mag-aaral ng tourism o doon sa America kung saan sila ay naka-petition.

My contemplation halted as what I've been awaiting finally appeared before me. The sight swept away my thoughts like a gentle breeze, revealing what I had longed to see since earlier.

I noticed her forehead glistening with sweat, and she was breathing heavily as if she had been chased by ten horses outside.

"What happened to you? You're drenched in sweat, like you've been chased by ten horses," I asked her.

"I hurried over, worried we might be late. Come on, let's go!" She replied, urging me forward.

Students scattered across the university ground field; varsity players, cheerleaders, and various groups of students. It was noisy and somewhat chaotic, but amidst it all, I found myself captivated by the view of our university campus.

As we reached the door of our classroom we settle down on our proper seats.

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Our third consecutive discussion concluded just as the school bell for breaktime echoed through the classrooms. My classmates stood up one by one to bid our professor farewell—I did the same before exiting our classroom. Heliaria, my friend, didn't join me this time as she was already being awaited by her boyfriend, leaving me to head to the cafeteria alone.

A text from my boyfriend informed me they were waiting for me there, so I hurried along. The hallway was somewhat quiet, perhaps because some students were still studying, and only the click of my heels echoed softly in the corridor.

I reached the cafeteria and quickly searched for Keige and Hich. Hich waved at me, making them easy to spot.

"Early for your breaktime, huh, El?" I teased my cousin.

"One of our professors was absent, so I decided to join you guys and video call Elleana," he explained.

"What do you want, love?" Keige asked me.

"Rice and viand, love. Whatever they have there, if it's spicy, go for it; if there's chicken or anything fried, ask for some dipping sauce," I replied, rummaging through my bag. Where did I put my mirror again?

Nakita kong busy sa pagta-type sa cellphone si Hich mukhang kausap ang best friend ko, ah.

I heard Hich’s phone was ringing. Agad namang sinagot niya ’to.