Back To The Night We Met

Chapter 7 : Tough

Auria

We're halfway on to the welcome week, and I must say that it's going really well! Aside from having fun, we're also given a chance to socialize and make friends with other batchmates.

Our booth is not that busy as of the moment because it's almost lunch time. Mamayang hapon pa siguro dadami ang tao.

I was busy arranging the stuff on our table, when suddenly, a boy approached me. "Hi, Auria," he said.

It was a bit surprising that he knows my name.

"Yes? Maglalaro ka?" tanong ko sa kaniya.

Umiling siya at ngumiti bago may inilabas mula sa likuran na nakatago.

Wow! My second bouquet this week! Note the sarcasm. Ugh!

"Para sa'yo pala. I'm Archie," tila nahihiya pa niyang pakilala.

Tinanggap ko na lang ang inaabot niyang bulaklak para hindi mapahiya. "Thank you," pabulong kong pasasalamat.

Sinundan ko siya ng tingin nang makalayo na.

Sino naman 'yon? Ni hindi ko nga nakikita ang anino niya sa campus, bakit naman binigyan ako ng bulaklak?

Naramdaman kong sinagi ni Amelie ang beywang ko. "Nakanaman! Haba talaga ng buhok mo, ano? Saan ka ba pinaglihi ng nanay mo at napakahabulin ka ng lalaki?"

Naririnig kong nagtatawanan ang iba naming mga kasama sa likuran ko. Ako naman itong naiinis na! Bakit ba ang daming nagbibigay sa'kin ng bulaklak?

"Oh? Another one?" tanong ni Rafael pagkabalik niya sa booth. May tumawag kasi sa kaniya kanina na ibang estudyante galing sa ibang tents.

As per his question, he was referring to the bouquet that I'm holding.

"Yeah, may nagbigay na naman."

Tumawa siya habang pumupwesto sa tabi ko. Kaming tatlo kasi nila Amelie ang front ng booth namin, taga accomodate ba.

"Saan ka galing?" tanong ko sa kaniya.

May itinuro siya sa malayo kaya tinignan ko kahit hindi ako sigurado kung alin doon ang itinuturo niya. "May nag-iinvite sa akin sumali sa frat."

That statement immediately caught my attention. I looked at him, worried and concerned as to what his decision was.

"Anong sinagot mo?" I tried to sound nonchalant as I averted my gaze back to the game prizes that I was organizing.

"I told them na pag-iisipan ko."

I didn't expect that answer from him, and it definitely did not feel right to me.

"Guys, kayo muna dyan ha, may titignan lang kami doon!" paalam ni Amelie habang hila hila si Allissa na tinanguan lang namin ni Rafael.

After they left, I focused my gaze again at Rafael. "Sasali ka?" I asked him.

I know I'm in no position to ask that and to contradict his decision, but as his friend, I'm worried about him. He's still new to the school, and joining a frat group is not the best option for him right now.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. Why?"

"Wala naman, just concerned," I said, averting my eyes away from him.

I can feel him staring, making me a bit concious.

"You sure? Looks like there's more to it," he insisted, so I drew a sharp breath and I faced him. 

"I'm your friend, syempre ayokong mapahamak ka, ano! It's just that, madalas kasing napapaaway sila kaya mahirap na. I know we're not much, but Amelie and I are here to be your best friends!"