She's Inlove With The Campus Writer

Chapter 8

When you love someone deeply, they become your life. When you love something, letting go of it will be as hard as how you love someone.

He enjoyed Eloiza’s company like how he writes when he’s inspired. But who would have thought that their day will be separated by goodbyes? Kung pwede lang na hindi matapos, gagawa siya ng paraan. But the clock continues to run, sun sets.

His eyes were stuck looking at the ceiling, thinking of his family away from him. He’s totally worried of the possibilities that might happen. Lips bitten, mind overloaded with different things kept him thinking. The tears bursted out from his eyes— Paano kung ginugulo pa rin sila ng kapitbahay?

But it was a good thing na hindi nawawala sa tabi niya ang laptop. Dito na muna ulit niya siguro ibubuhos buong atensyon. Pero habang nakatitig sa screen, he became irritated. Slowly, he massaged his forehead. “Bakit ba ang hirap nilang umintindi? Tangina,” he whispered, clenching his jaw. Hindi tuloy maiwasang magdilim yung paningin. He’s now an Editor at the same time, an instructor. A fuckin’ instructor. Wala siyang magagawa kundi ang inisin ang sarili, magbigay ng advice.

The next day was even challenging. Napahiya muna siya sa first subject. The Excuse Letter sent was for one week? He sighed deep in frustration, wanting to punch the wall. Overloaded na naman ng activities quizzes, as usual. His eyebrows furrowed. He didn’t sight Liam at the office. Hanggang sa malaman niya kay Sebastian na uma-attend pala ng klase si Ulupong. That was absurd! Pagod na siya sa office, tapos marami pa siyang kailangang habulin. Samantalang si Liam, nagagawa niya ang gusto niya? Badass! He couldn’t stop the monster inside him.

No choice, but as he typed every letter in the keyboard, nawawala lahat ng galit niya maliban na lang kung titigil. Tulad lang siya ng isang libro na kapag binasa, nakakagalit minsan. But when you learn to appreciate every word that it contains, then you’ll realize its worth tapos mapapangiti ka na lang dahil andiyan palagi sa tabi mo yung libro na yun at di ka iniiwan. Ang kaibahan lang, para siyang isang Author na stress reliever ang pagsusulat at kahit ano pang emosyon ang idulot sa kanya ng pagsusulat, hindi mo na siya maihihiwalay roon— because his passion is caged in it.

Weeks passed, he celebrated his Halloween in his apartment. He heard someone knocking at the door. The night was peaceful and calm as well as the people outside. With hesitation, he opened the door and he saw nothing but a lady wearing a very long white clothes. Her face was covered with a skull painting, showing fake blood, violet veins came out of her face, eyelid full of thick eyeliners, with hair messy and disarranged. In the lady’s chest was painted a heart, broken.

“Fuck you! Go away please! Please...” he cried.

His heart didn't skip a beat, he felt unsafe so he covered his face. He really believed that the lady in front of her was a ghost. In his mind, motion pictures were reflected including his family, and his Princess. Because of that lady, his heart was squeezed, making it more difficult to breathe.

“Shit! You ghost! Leave me alone. I have a family to feed up. I have a girlfriend that would be left alone if you kill me. Please don't...” said Lee, pleading the ghost to leave. Tears continued to fall from his eyes. “Mahal ko sila. Tangina. Umalis ka na please,” he cursed.

But when he removed his palms on his face, the lady was gone, but a letter was placed on the floor, beside his feet. Isa itong simpleng papel na may drawing na puso sa unahan, tulad ng pusong nakadikit sa babae kanina at sa likuran naman ay may nakasulat na letter.

You killed me. But there’s still a chance to save me. LOVE ME. I’m sorry for making your night affrighting.
—RIPthisLove

“Joker,” he murmured, really can’t believe that a ghost would leave a letter and ask him to love. He has Eloiza, siya lang yung mamahalin ni Lee kahit ilang multo pa ang dumaan para takutin siya.
←♦→

Finally, the Publication Director was present with her son after the Semestral Break. Magic!

“So! Good morning everyone!” Mrs. Escalona started.

There was a new project, naaamoy niya. Nakikita ni Lee sa paligid ang mga mukhang iisa ang reaksyon— mukhang hindi nag-almusal.

“The monster. She’s back to ruin a good day. No. Not our day, but your day Mr. EIC,” said Sebastian as he moved his eyeballs in the direction where Lee was.

It’s true. Well, if the scientists discovered some solutions to kill a monster through a simple touch, then the PD beside the whiteboard would have been killed.

“Shut up. Just watch and learn how to defend yourself from monster, okay?” said Lee, challenging Sebastian.

Not-so-nice shots of photos were flashed at the plain whiteboard, showing trophies and experiments with the Researchers.

“Mr Lee, are those pictures visible? Look how great my son was in taking photos in different angles.”

No, alam niya kung paano kumuha ng magandang anggulo ang mga pro. Kung tititigan ang shots ni Liam na nangangain ngayon ng Stick-O, wala talagang makaka-appreciate nito. Lee just nodded his head, keeping his words not to hurt anyone. Some staffs started laughing, caused by the joke given by Mrs. Escalona.

“Mr. EIC, you need to conduct an interview tungkol sa mga nanalong estudyante ng LBU sa Investigatory Projects.” Lumunok siya para maging malinaw yung paos na boses. “I need a News Article this day, okay? Go. Kung may gusto kang isama, isa lang. Pwede na,” she demanded as she handed the camera to Lee.

Nag-init yung kamay ni Lee at napatikom iyon hawak ang camera. Mukhang napuno kaya nagtaas siya ng kamay noong tatalikuran na siya ng PD.

“Busy pa po ako sa mga articles na—”

“Saan ka humuhugot ng lakas para mag-complain?” said Mrs. Escalona as she took steps towards Lee. “Kung hindi mo kaya eh di sana hindi ka naging ambisyoso!”

Gulung-gulo ang isip niya katulad ng pagkakagulo ng patas ng papel sa Office. He didn’t utter words, remained silent. Thankful that Rem was on his side. Hinaplos niya ang likuran ni Lee para maibsan yung nararamdaman.

Everything he had done in this Office remained useless and unrecognized. Sana hindi ka naging ambisyoso! Paulit-ulit itong nag-echo sa kanya at para siyang sinasaksak ng patalim. Bakit kapag nangarap ang isang mahirap, ambisyoso ang tinatawag? Masyado ng gasgas. Kung pwede lang na sabihin niya iyon sa harap ng anak niya, magmumukha itong isang bagay na bagong imbento.

Gusto niya lang naman iparating na bakit sa dinami-rami ng pangalan sa diyaryo, palagi na lang siya? Yun ngang trabahador ‘pag nahirapan, nagpapahinga. Yung puso na kapag di na kayang tumibo, tumitigil na. Siya pa kayang isang hamak na dukhang manunulat?

Diretso yung tingin niya sa whiteboard na kinaroroonan ni Mrs. Escalona. His traitor heart ached, nasasaktang tanggapin ang katotohanan na dahil minahal niya na yung pagsusulat, mahirap ng iwanan. At kahit pilitin niya, tingin niya, babalik at babalik pa rin siya sa buhay kung saan siya malimit parusahan.

Unti-unting nagtayuan yung Staffs, kakaharapin na naman ang monitor. He was taking steps to open the Office’s sliding door until he noticed someone following him.

“I’m gonna help you,” said Riva humbly, getting an opportunity to slip his arms.

Like when a housefly tickles his body hairs and when a butterfly moves in his stomach, he got uncomfortable and irritated.
~•~•~•~

Hello :-) Since April 26 ngayon, Happy KathNiel Day sa ibang fans na nagbabasa. Thank you❤