Between The Lines

Mad Jennie (M)

The morning sun streamed through the classroom windows as I settled into my seat, ready for another day of classes.

Ms. Bae was already at the front, preparing her things for the lecture. As much as I enjoyed her classes, my mind kept bringing me to Jennie. She wasn't here today, busy with preparations for the upcoming prom.

I sighed quietly, trying to focus on the lecture. It was hard not seeing her. Ms. Bae’s voice droned on about legal principles, but my thoughts were elsewhere, wondering how Ms. Kim was handling everything.

Class eventually ended, and I packed up my things, heading to the next lecture. The day seemed to drag on without her presence, and it didn’t help that I was swamped with projects and assignments. Between classes, I met up with Somi, who suggested we go to the coffee shop to work on our projects together. Pero sinabi ko sakaniya na dito na lang ako gagawa since malayo pa ang lalakarin namin.

Wala kasi akong dalang kotse, sira kasi yung kotse ko habang yung sports car ko naman nasa bahay.

Habang busy ako gumawa ng project ko, may isang babae naman na umupo sa harapan ko. “Excuse me, may naka upo ba dito?” Tanong niya.

“Hindi ba obvious na wala?” Pagsusungit ko sakaniya.

“Oh, sorry. By the way, I'm Mina, new student here" Kaya pala.

“Sorry kung naistorbo na kita, wala kasi akong kilala dito sa campus and I don't know how to be friends with my classmates, ang ba-bata pa kasi nila” She keep talking while I was still working to my project. “Law student ka? Siguro matalino ka” Hindi ko pa rin siya pinansin.

“I'm sorry, Miss, pero hindi kita makakausap dahil busy ako. I habe project na ginagawa at need ko nang i-pass 'to mamaya” Sabi ko sakaniya nang kalmado. “It's okay” Pagkatapos kong sabihin iyon, tumigil naman siya sa kskasalita.

Pagkatapos ko sa project na ginagawa ko, she talk again. “What is your name?”

“Lisa, that's my name” Malamig kong tugon at saka niligpit ang mga gamit ko. “I see, I'm Mina, I'm 25 years old. If you are wondering kung bakit ang tanda ko na, it is because I started classes just today.” She said even I didn't asked.

“It's nice to meet you, Mina, but I think this is not the right time to talk with you. I'm busy” Umalis na ako mula doon at tumungo sa next class ko pero bago nun pinass ko muna kay Ms. Bae yung project ko.

Si Ms. Chou muna ang mag ha-handle sa amin ngayon, at eto kami parang takot na takot sa multo. Eh, ikaw ba naman naka upo habang ang nasa unahan naman ay isang terror.

Mabuti na lang hindi ganun siya ka moody, lumabas kaagad kami ng classroom kasama ko si Seulgi at Somi. “Sabay ka na ba sa akin, Lisa?” Tanong ni Somi sa akin.

“Oo” Naiwan namin si Seulgi dahil papunta na siya ng bar.

Pagdating namin ng coffee shop nila Somi, nag trabaho na kaagad ako, trying to distract myself from missing her. Ilang oras ko na rin siyang hindi nakikita. I couldn’t help but check my phone every now and then, hoping for a message from her. But the screen remained blank. I knew she was busy, and I didn’t want to bother her.

As I keep make myself busy to my work, mas lalo ko lang siyang na mi-miss ngayon. Gusto ko na talaga siyang makita. “Dude, serve mo nga itong coffee doon sa table number 5” kinuha ko naman yung order nung nasa table number 5 at saka bumalik ulit.