RIVALRY [ heesun ]

thirty one.

"Where are the other officers?"

I asked Simone as soon as we got into the uni's auditorium after having our lunch. Luminga-linga ako, trying to spot someone.

Someone? Who to be exact, Aryse?

I was just hoping to see Chloe and Olivier here since, you know, we got busy and I didn't have time to hangout with them!

Right! Sila ang pakay ko..

But why do I feel like I'm not certainly looking for them?

"Baka nag lu-lunch pa. Balita ko late raw na-dismiss mga TVL students, eh. They still have time though, napaaga lang talaga tayo." Simone responded.

We sat at the second row, bandang right side para makakuha ng magandang video later pag nag oath taking si Sim. The lighting here never disappoints.

Pinatong ko ang bag sa lap while looking to the entrance of the audi. Pinagmamasdan ang mga paparating na students at faculty members. Mukha ngang napaaga kami dahil ngayon pa lamang sila nagsisidagsaan.

I spotted Riego in the crowd, he doesn't look fine. Sa hulma kasi ng mukha nito ay wala siya sa mood. Nakabuntot naman sa likod niya si Acky at 'yong isa pa nilang kaibigan na hindi student ng LEU. As usual, he is wearing a visitor's pass and tugging his friend's polo na parang batang ayaw maligaw.

But wait.. where is he?

"Are you looking for someone?" Wayne suddenly showed up na ikinagulat ko. Humarang kasi ito sa harap ko habang may dalang bottled water.

Hinintay ko muna siyang makaupo bago sumagot, "I'm just looking for my friends sa other strands. I guess they are still eating.." sinabi ko na lang to avoid suspicions.

Bakit ba kasi hinahanap mo siya?

Didn't you tell him not to talk to you unless it's about Eloy?

Right!

Hindi ko pa nga pala nakita si Eloy today..

Is he fine?

My mind is constantly in distress as I thought of the kid. I don't have his phone number dahil wala siyang phone. I couldn't contact anyone to ask if he's doing well.

May alam kaya si Aracosa?

Should I ask him?

No, that can't be. Siya dapat ang unang kumausap sa akin! I don't do the first move.

"Aryse? Hey.." My thoughts were interrupted by Wayne who tapped my shoulder to get my attention.

"W-what? Is the oath taking starting na?"

"Not yet.. I was asking you if you want to have coffee later after this, hindi mo pala ako narinig. Is there something bothering you?"

"Uh.." As I was thinking of excuse to say, nakita ko si Aracosa na kakapasok lang.

I was a bit shock by my own behavior. Tila ba lumiwanag ang eyesight ko nang makita ko siya.

What's happening to me!??

"Who are you looking to.." Wayne noticed it and tried to look at my line of sight.

I saw Aracosa looked in our direction, pero hindi siya tumitingin sa akin. Rather, I saw his eyes moved directly to Wayne na tinitignan siya pabalik.

I thought I'm just imagining things but Aracosa is giving him weird stares. Hindi ko mawari kung lungkot o galit ang pinapakita niyang expression. After that encounter, tumungo agad siya sa mga friends niya na nakaupo sa left side ng audi.