The College Diaries

9 • the godfather

Evo

Thank God it's Friday. Man, the week went by just like that. Well, minus the long midterm exams that killed my brain cells. Thank God my hell week is also over. I still have one class left today after lunch but it's PE 2 and definitely a chill one. I have badminton this semester. For midterms we have a tournament next week so we'll probably just practice the whole period. I mean, it's badminton. Basically we just play.

My mom and Tita Irene already instructed me about our commute later. Of course they insisted at first that the driver will come get us but I refused. It's like I have no freedom or that I'm being watched. Isla also hates being driven around, except when I'm the driver. This shows how much she and I have grown over the years. We're no longer the spoiled, sheltered conyo kids from the city. But our mothers don't know that. Anyway, the commute will probably be 1-2 hours or plus-minus 2 hours with the long weekend traffic. I'm kinda psyched, I want to catch up with my "sister". I need to grill her over the recent info I got from her roommates. Speaking of roommates, mine is acting weird.

"Do you guys want a ride?" Anton suddenly offered. I told him about my weekend plans while we're having lunch at a nearby carinderia. This is our Friday routine.

"Akala ko di ka uuwi, bro?" I asked blankly. Weird. He's not this unpredictable.

"I didn't know it was a long weekend. Miss ko na baby ko." He replied. Of course he's talking about his pet Alaskan Malamute, Georgie.

"Well, if you're offering. Kaso Isla's class will end at 7pm pa. Are you willing to wait?" I asked. I know he doesn't have any afternoon classes. He'll probably change his mind.

"Yessir." He smirked. I raised an eyebrow at him. "Why?" He asked.

"You hate getting stuck in Elbi traffic and SLEX traffic. Or any traffic." I deadpanned. Three years with this bud, I know him too well.

"Nah, it's gonna be fun with you, bro." He insisted. Something definitely smells fishy.

"With me? Or Isla?" I asked suspiciously.

"Bro." He said, looking defensive.

"Bro. No." I said flatly. No way.

"Bro. Relax. It's not what you think." He said, looking rattled as he raised his hands in surrender.

Well, I do hope I'm wrong. Because basically Isla is a real sister to me. We are both solo children and were raised together by our grandparents and mothers (mostly) in one roof. And because I know every girl Anton took home in our apartment for the last three years. My last count was twelve. A fncking dozen. Not on my watch, bro.

On second thought, Anton's types are usually the "dumb blonde" kind of pretty girls. Isla is like far from that. Yeah, she's not ugly but she's headstrong and minsan maldita. He won't last one argument with her. Maybe I'm jumping into conclusions here.

"Alright, man. Sorry about that. You know she's like my sister." I said, patting him on the back.

"It's good, bro. I get it." He said, nodding.

I don't know why I always act like Isla's older brother when she's a few months older than me. But I always think of Tito Querobin—my favorite person, my Ninong Q, Isla's dad, my mom's only brother, our angel who is now in heaven. He was the only person who gets me. So yeah, I guess that's it. I feel the need to protect her. I need to make my hero proud.

••••

Isla texted me after her class ended. She said she'll just grab her stuff and be on her way. I told her Anton offered us a ride so we'll pick her up at the dorm. She just said OK. I also texted my girlfriend to come down, no questions asked. I haven't told her the change of plans.