Off the Edge

O N E

Hindi mahulugang karayom na pila, mahabang paghihintay at maiingay na hallways- yan ang unang salubong sakin sa unang araw na pagtapak ko sa Austin University. Let me admit that my expectations of my first day in college weren't met noong pumunta ko para magenroll pero sabi nga nila, everyday gets better, right?


Kaya umasa nalang ako na sa unang araw ng official classes ay medyo mas makakamit naman ng expectations ko yung satisfactory level na hinahanap nya.

Mustering all my determination, and my courage to start a new chapter of my life,
I exhaled loudly and started marching towards the front gate of Austin University.
With a grin on my face, I proudly raised my head up and felt the ecstasy of being a college student- 

"Miss, tap po muna." I was distracted by the voice of the guard na humawak sa bag ko.
I looked back at the front desk at nakitang meron palang 'Tap ID first before entering the University'
sign.

Nasamid ako bigla sa sarili kong laway sa kahihiyan as the other students walked past me, giving me curious glances. Turning my head down, nagthank you ako kay manong guard at nagtap ng ID. My name showed up at the screen and the guard at the front desk said, "Bago ka, ano, iha? Welcome sa AU. Eto oh, para iwas-ligaw." Sabi nito sakin sabay abot ng isang flier, napangiti naman ako ni manong guard.

Aba, IWAS-TANGA tool rin 'to.

I might be able to avoid embarrassing moments like this na ang lakas maging sign board sa mga kapwa estudyante ko na freshman ako. I smiled and mumbled a small thank you at saka naglakad papuntang main campus.

My steps were cautious ones, still unused to the changed environment.
But as soon as the lobby and a banner stating 'WELCOME FRESHMEN 2015-2016' came into view, parang ang sarap gayahin noong mga characters sa pelikula na bigla bigla nalang nagsestretch ng kamay at sisigaw ng 'I FINALLY DID IT!'

Yung sense of accomplishment na nararamdaman ko eh sobrang overwhelming and that's probably why I bended and whispered while doing fist pumps with my left arm

'YES! YES! TAKE THAT BITCHES!' swiftly atsaka lumingon left and right.

Aba, kailangan kong tignan kung may nakakita sakin-

Saka ako nagpatuloy sa paglalakad papasok ng main building.

As I made my way through the double doors of Austin University Main Building-
"Miss!" A voice from behind me halted me in my tracks. I wasn't sure kung ako yung tinatawag ng boses dahil sa may ibang mga babae rin akong kasabay papasok sa loob ng main building. After a few seconds of thinking, I whipped around and was shocked that a boy's neck was in front of my face- I could literally feel my cheeks heating up sa sobrang lapit ng mukha ko sa mukha niya. He blinked and lalo akong nahiya sa nangyari. I was inside Austin University in less than an hour at dalawang beses na kong nakakagawa ng nakakahiyang bagay.

Ano ba naman 'to.

Gathering all my confidence, I took a step back and bowed my head in apologies. "Sorry po." I murmured. And to my surprise, I heard a small chuckle from the boy.

Napaangat ang ulo ko, and that's where I got a good look on him. He has gray hair- and I took note na bibihira ang mga lalaking nakapagdadala ng ganoong type ng kulay sa buhok nang hindi nagmumukhang tambay na jejemon, so I give him a small credit for that- and wore it up, katulad nung mga Korean hairstyles.

For a guy in college, he has a very baby-faced face, hindi mo maitatagong gwapo. And before I could even continue my keen observation on him, tinaas nya ang kanyang left hand-

Ay. Panyo ko 'yon ah?

"Sayo 'to, di ba? Nahulog mo kanina." Sabi nito sakin. Then an amused smile made its way on his face and he leaned a bit closer to me. "Noong napa-YES! YES! TAKE THAT BITCHES! ka." He finished with a small laugh.

Crap.

I brought a hand to my face as I felt the blush come right up to my cheeks.
Jusko po. Nakakahiya.

I heard him let out another chuckle at by that time, I gathered all my strength to snatch my handkerchief back from him. "I'm very thankful at I really wanna stay and make a coherent conversation with you pero 'di na kasi kaya nung brain cells ko yung kahihiyan so I'm gonna go. Thank you though!" I said fast enough para maintindihan niya- Though, di ko rin sure kung kaintindi-intindi pa ba yung bilis ng pagsasalita ko pero for pete's sake, isa lang ang gusto kong mangyari- yun ang yung lamunin ako ng lupa. Pero bago pa man ako makatakbo papasok ng building, may nalaglag na naman mula sa bag ko and this time, alam kong ID ko 'yon.

The last thing I want to happen now is for him to know my name.

As I turned to crouch down and snatch my ID back, nahuli na ko sa lahat. He was already down on one knee, ogling my ID.

"Lyle Juliane Araneta?"

Sabi niya, sabay angat ng tingin sa akin. Napaiwas nalang ako ng tanaw when he wore his amused grin on his handsome face once again. From my peripheral vision, I saw him stand up from the crouched position and still took a good look on my ID picture. "Kaano-ano mo si Larkin Araneta?" He coolly stated, slipping his right hand on his pocket. Clenching my fist and eyes closed, I sighed and collected all my will-power to not embarrass myself further at pagbukas ko ng mata ko- "Kapatid ko. And now kung tapos ka nang titigan yung ID ko, can I have it back?" I said as politely as I can, at pagtingin ko sa kanya, unconsciously, our eyes met and for some unknown reason, I found myself liking the color of his eyes. Pero the moment dissipated into thin air, and my heart started pounding against my chest hard nang bigla nyang inilapit ang mukha nya sa mukha ko. "Chill, Lyle. Curious lang ako. Pareho kasi kayong LJA. Pero I have a good feeling na hindi 'to ang huling beses na maguusap tayo so," Sabi nya after straightening his back.

"May I dare say, see you around?"