"I'll go ahead, Kuya. Sa kabilang building pa ang klase ko," I told my brother as I picked up my bag in a hurry.
The Drama Club semestral play just ended and to say na napilitan lamang akong manood is a total understatement.
"What's the haste? 2pm pa ang klase mo, hindi ba? Hindi mo man lang ba iko-congratulate si Ethan sa success ng production nila?"
Exactly the reason why I want to leave. Now. Pero hindi ko pwedeng sabihin iyon kay Kuya Brett lalo na at may hinihingi akong pabor sa kanya regarding my Feasibility Study.
"Eh kasi-"
"No buts, Fenella. Stay and at least join us for lunch. After that, you're free to go."
I made a face.
"Fen, don't be too harsh. I know him, he's a good guy. I know you'll be in good hands kung sa kanya ka mapupunta."
Lalong nalukot ang mukha ko.
"Naririnig mo ba ang sarili mo, Kuya? Ipinamimigay mo ang sarili mong kapatid? Nasaan na ang free will na meron ako dapat sa-"
Nagrereklamo pa ako pero dumating na ang bida.
"Bro! My Lois! Glad you could make it!" masayang bati ni Ethan paglabas ng crew room.
Like I voluntarily came here to watch, I thought sarcastically.
Kuya Brett practically dragged me here after threatening that he wouldn't even give me a topic for my Feasibility Study. He's the perfect person who could help me and he knows that kaya kayang-kaya niya akong i-blackmail. Small and medium enterprise kasi ang target ng subject ko sa Business Planning at siya lahat ang katulong nina Mama mag-ayos ng Frozen Dreams kaya pumayag ako lalo na at medyo tagilid talaga ang grade ko sa katatapos lamang na Prelims.
"That was great, Bro! Perfect finale! You haven't lost your touch, huh?" Kuya was all praises habang kinakamayan si Ethan.
"My Lois, how did you like the play?" he asked as he came near me.
I rolled my eyes and exhaled sharply in response bago ako siniko ni Kuya habang naglalakad.
"It was fine. Lalo na kung hindi ikaw ang leading man. Sabagay, last mo na nga pala iyon ano kaya siguro pinagbigyan ka na," I said as we stepped out of the auditorium.
Ethan graduated last Sem pero dahil enrolled pa rin siya sa Licensure Exam for Teachers Review, he's still basically a student here kaya hindi pa siya inaalis sa Drama Club. Ang alam ko ay August ang exam niya which is next month kaya ito na ang huling play niya dito sa University.
"Hindi ka man lang nagselos na may kayakap ako on stage?"
Napatigil ako sa paglalakad at hinarap siya na nakataas ang kilay.
"Wow lang ha, anong ine-expect mo? Mag-eskandalo ako habang nag-eemote ka at maglalaslas ng pulso sa gitna ng mga audience?"
Kuya Brett had to laugh at that. I can feel my brother's shoulder shaking from laughter beside me.
"Talagang suicide agad?" he commented in between laughs.
Pagdating namin ng cafeteria ay nag-order ako agad. I could finish my lunch in less than 15 minutes kung hindi ako magsasalita and I decided to do just that. That's the best thing I could do to get away from them quickly.
"May klase ako hanggang 6pm, hihintayin ba kita umuwi?" Kuya Brett asked while I was wolfing down my beef and brocolli rice topping.
I shook my head vigorously.
"Magko-commute na lang ako," I said with my mouth full.
Part time job ni Kuya Brett ang magturo. After he graduated, nag-offer kaagad ang Dean nila ng teaching units ng ilang minor subjects. Kuya took masterals that time to qualify at ngayon he's already teaching several units of major subjects sa College of HRM three times a week. Kung sana ay hindi lang hilig sa ice cream ang namana ko sa kanya, siguro mas may linaw rin ang career path ko.
BINABASA MO ANG
Just One Date
Teen FictionIf houses have termites and rice fields have rats, I, on the other hand, have Clark Ethan. Siya ang peste sa buhay ko. A damn good-looking pest, my cousin would say. But still a pest nonetheless. He's practically everywhere, every ti...
