THE GIRL CODE

Always Remember Where You're From And Don't Ever Forget It

“Boyfriend agad? “Di pa pwedeng school matters muna?” Sabay kuha ng Pringles.

                “Oo nga pala, hindi ka lang girlfriend, Student Council President ka rin pala.” Sabi ni Stacey.

                “Thank you for reminding me. Ngayon nag sink-in lahat ng stress. Salamat ha.”

                “Camz, I can always bring you to the spa naman if you want. Stay away from your laptop din naman kasi kahit isang araw lang.” Sabi ni Chelsea.

                “Girls, kailangan ko lang talagang tapusin ‘tong project proposal ko. My scholarship depends on it.”                        

                “And your social life.” Sabi ni Saab.

                “I know right? Don’t worry bawi ako. Oh siya, I have to go. See you later nalang. Toodles.”

Dali-dali akong tumayo mula sa place naming sa cafeteria since last year. Ewan ko lang kung bakit sa tinagal-tagal na andito sa sulok ang four-seat table na ito, nobody dared to sit here. Siguro kasi takot sila kay Saab.

Dahan-dahan kong pinihit ang dial ng locker ko nang biglang may humalik sa pisngi ko.

                “Hi babe.”

Seeing his smile always makes my day.

                “Hi. Kumusta ang Chemistry?” I asked while grabbing my books for my next class.

                “Hayun. Still Chemistry. Kumusta ang babe ko?” Tyrone replied.

                “Babe mo parin. Medyo stressed lang. Tignan mo eyebags ko. Malapit nang mag-dalaga.”

                “See? Sabi ko sayo eh dapat ‘di ka nalang tumakbong SC President.”

                “I had to, remember? ‘Di naman ako kasing talino mo and I’m really not into sports to earn myself a scholarship. Di bale babe, babawi ako. I swear.”

                “Well sana sakin ka unang bumawi. Nung sinabi mo yan sakin last time, you ditched our date just to sleep over at Saab’s.”

                “I’m sorry. I will make it up to you. I promise.”

                “Okay. I love you.”

                “I love you, too.”

Tyrone kissed me on the forehead. I told him na mas affectionate ang kiss sa noo bukod sa hindi kami pagtitinginan habang ginagawa niya iyon. K.J daw ako sabi ng barkada, pero Tyrone and I have our own ways to make each other feel special. We believe that kahit may pagkakapareho ang relationship namin sa iba, our love story is unique.

I will never forget kung paano kami nagkakilala ni Tyrone at kung paano naging kami.

2 years ago, I was crying at Brews (our favourite coffee shop today) kasi nag-away nanaman ang parents ko. My mom packed her bags and decided to move out with my younger brother, leaving me to stay with my dad. Sa sobrang inis ko, umalis ako ng bahay na naka sleeveless at pink na pajama, walang make-up, naka loose ponytail at hindi pa magkaterno ang slippers. I just want to stay away from home. At dahil nag-ngangawa ako sa isang table sa sulok na mukhang na-rape, may lumapit sakin na guy.

                “Miss, are you okay?” sabay abot niya ng panyo sakin.  I will always remember that blue and mabangong hanky.

                “I’m fine. Please leave me alone.”