Loving Greene

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Today is one of those gloomy days. When I woke up the skies were blue-ish gray and I know that it will be raining for the whole day, just like the other days. Dahil nga umuulan, hinatid kami ni Kuya gamit ang kanyang raptor. Lucio is on his sixth year in elementary at mas una naming madadaanan ang kanyang school kaya mas nauna siyang hinatid ni Kuya.

“Ingat, Adi. Call me later after school, susunduin ko kayo,” Kuya said after dropping me off. I opened my umbrella as I went out of the car. Sobrang lakas ng ulan at mukhang may paparating ka bagyo. Bakit kaya may klase pa rin hanggang ngayon?

Pumasok na ako sa classroom at nakitang naroon si Fidel at nagbabasa ng kanyang mga notes. I guess he didn't study last night. Ako rin naman, my mind was too preoccupied because of a certain person. After Greene and I talked that afternoon, I never saw him in class. Nag-usap kami noong lunes ng hapon at biyernes na ngayon! He's been missing school for days!

“Bakit tulala ka? Nag-aral ka ba?” tanong ni Fidel habang nasa kanyang libro pa rin ang tingin.

I sighed. “Baka magtop one pa ako kapag nakapag-aral.”

Fidel rolled his eyes. That was supposed to be a joke but he knows it's not. “Kapag mas mataas ang nakuha kong score sa'yo, ililibre mo ako mamayang recess.”

As much as I want to tease Fidel, I just don't have the energy to. I am worried about Greene. Did it all get inside his head? Is he in love with Marina kaya sobrang broken niya? I sighed again. Maybe he needs some time?

Pumasok ang first period teacher namin pero wala pa rin si Greene. I guess he'll miss the test. The teacher gave out the test questionnaires and even though I didn't study, I know I can perfect this. This is basic algebra which Kuya Lex taught me in grade 6. I would excel in my test kasi alam kong matalino naman ako kahit papaano pero wala lang talaga akong interes sa pag-aaral. Gusto ko rin namang makapagtapos but I don't want to exert an extra effort in my studies. I don't want to top anything because I don't want any attention from anyone... except for his.

“Sorry, I'm late, Ma'am. Masyado kasing malakas ang ulan.”

That voice woke me up from my trance. I let out an inaudible gasp and turned to see him on the doorway. His hair is wet and when he shook his head, droplets scattered everywhere. He looked wonderful doing it.

The teacher shook his head. “Naku, Mr. Greene mabuti naman at narito ka na. Get your paper in front and answer it quietly.”

My eyes followed him. He quietly get the papers and when he was about to go back to his seat, nagtama ang mga mata namin. He smiled at me. HE SMILED AT ME. I thought I would hyperventilate because of that sudden gesture from him. Sobrang init ng aking mukha at hindi ko mapigilan ang pagngiti habang tinatapos ang mga kailangan kong sagutan. I will ace this test.

I was sipping on my hot choco at the cafeteria, calm and overjoyed. That smile brightened my whole day kahit na makulimlim pa rin ang panahon.

“Ilan ang nakuha mong score?” bungad ni Fidel nang makita niya ako. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan siya kanina kay nauna na akong kumain dito.

“Perfect,” I answered nonchalantly as if it was nothing. His brow arched as if he didn't want to believe me. He knows I never lie about these things so he just sighed in defeat.

“Ngayong year ka na ba magseseryoso?” he asked seriously.

I laughed. “Hindi ‘no. Inspired lang talaga ako kanina.”

Kahit mukhang bigo man ay tinanong niya pa rin ako kung saan niya raw ako ililibre.

“Sa paresan na lang na malapit sa amin.”