Sincerity's Sanctuary (Siren Avenue #1)

04

[Ano 'tong naririnig ko na iniiwasan mo raw si Rowan?]

I rolled my eyes staring at my phone sa desk as I heard heard mama say that on the other line while I'm getting ready for class. Pinapasok ko na ang mga gamit nakakailanganin sa bag.

"Nagsumbong sa inyo?" I asked, irritated.

[Hindi 'yun ang mahalaga, pakisamahan mo naman, Dan. Nagmamalasakit na 'yung tao... Tsaka ayokong mag-isa ka d'yan. Befriend him. Parang nu'ng mga bata lang kayo?]

I sighed. "Fine, I'll do my best. Love you, 'ma. Bye."

[Okay, labyu, 'Dan! Ingat ka! At tsaka nga pala-] Ibinaba ko na ang tawag kaya naputol siya. I typed it a message to asked what she's supposed to say.

Tsk, that prick. Sumbongero naman pala. Konti na lang talaga mapupuno na ako roon. Napailing ako nang maalala ang sinabi niya sa mall, gusto niya raw na makasama ako? The hell? Kabadingan.

Lumabas na ako ng room. The two other pricks are still eating their breakfast like it's a full-course meal.

"Lafang na, baks! May pa-sinangag, oh!" Frank modeled that plate of fried rice.

"Kain na!" Cairo said.

Umiling ako. Nagpunta ako sa kusina at kumuha ng plato at nag-sandok ng kanin mula sa kaninang sinaing ko sa aking rice cooker. Marami pa at ito kaya abot na para sa dinner ko mamaya.

Like I said, I don't wanna share food with them. I peeled out the hard-boiled eggs I also prepared earlier before sitting on the other side of the dining table.

"Jusko, sulitin na talaga natin ang pag-aalmusal ngayong puro orientations pa lang this week kay next week, wala na tayong karapatan na kumain at madalian na!" Frank loud's mouth.

"True, prof nga namin kahapon, nagbigay agad ng gawain? Tatlo pa! Pero kaya naman." Cairo whatever.

"Gets na gets! Kaloka ang mga prof tapos parang nananakot pa iba? Huy!" They annoyingly laughed again.

Bagot lang akong pinapakinggan silang magkwentuhan as I eat my breakfast. Chineck ko ang messages ko, wala nang reply si Mama. Probably not important. Nag-zumba na ata 'yon.

"Ikaw, Darrell? Musta first day mo?" I stopped eating when I heard Cairo asked me. Nakatingin na silang dalawa sa'kin.

"None of your business..."

Frank coughed. "Ah, oo nga pala sa econ department ka puro business d'yan?" They laughed again.

I finally finished eating. I went to the sink and quickly rinsed my plate. Uminom na ako ng tubig bago tuluyang lumabas ng dorm. God, I hate my dormmates and I hate how tiring these stairs all the way down.

I frowned seeing a familiar car parked when I opened the gate. A prick gets out with his annoying smile waving at me.

"The hell are you doing here?"

Rowan chuckled. "Tita told me to fetch you. Hindi ba sinabi sa 'yo?"

I rolled my eyes. Baka ayon ang gustong sabihin ni Mama sa phone kanina.

"Hindi na, I'll took a cab."

He forced a sad face. "'Yan na naman sa cab, nandito na ako, oh? Iba pa rin pinipili?"

Mas lalong nagsalubong ang kilay ko. "Stop being cringe."

Nauna na akong sumakay sa shotgun seat as I crossed my arms. Natawa pa siya bago sumunod na pumasok sa kotse at umupo sa tabi ko.

"Seatbelt, p're?"

"It's a five-minute ride," walang emosyong sabi ko.

I heard his loud sigh. He went on to reach for the seatbelt of my seat himself and wore it on me. Gusto kong umiwas at pigilan siya, but I got distracted by his sandalwood scent.