Project Bata

Chapter One: No Freakin' Way

I'm in my last semester and last year in college, currently working two freakin' jobs just to survive this cruel world. I have weekday part-time job and a weekend job. I don't know how I managed, I need to and have just to have a decent meal. But the burden of this subject was added up and I do not want any of this, for one it would cause my time and I do not have the patience to take care of a robotic infant doll.

I raised my hands, "Ma'am, it would totally jeopardize our education, we're graduating so it means more work."

"You got a point there Ms. Gonzales. Kayo ang magma-manage, just like true parents would do. Di ba? Diskarte niyo na 'yan. Besides it is also a good training for you all, hindi natin alam, kung after college niyo eh, magne-next level agad kayo to 'family life'" sabi ng Prof. namin. Hah! That is ridiculous, who would want to start a family right away after college?

"I've got two jobs plus my schooling plus my thesis," I said, disbelieving. Sumaang ayon naman ang mga kaklase na nanatili lang sa kina-uupuan nila. My unfortunate classmates just seated idly not even backing me up.

"That's why you've got partners! Know your responsibility. Remember it's your grades we're talking about." She scoffed. Is she serious? Yeah, we got partners, but I think it would worsen the situation, that our professor we got us here. Lalong-lalo na kapag ang naka-partner mo ang isang 'happy-go-lucky-rich-guy'. Just great, really great. Buti 'yung iba mga maayos ang nakapartner nila, ako? I was left with an immature guy, okay I was being judgy but I can't help it. The frustrations I have got the best of me in this situation.

"Do not fight me with this. This is the one and only project you have under this subject. Tomorrow, I will deliver the babies. Dismiss!" Nagliligpit na ako ng mga gamit. Lord, pwede bang kahit one day lang magpahinga? Walang pinuproblema? Kulang po ang tulog ko! Hindi nakaka-abot ng halos isang oras. Kapag ganito, mamamatay talaga ako ng maaga. May biglang aninong sumulpot, napa-angat ang tingin ko. I give him a questioning look.

"Nakaka-intimidate ba ako?" he said while showing a toothy grin. His aura itself emits sunshine and rainbows against my gray clouds. I cannot even look at him in the face, he sounded so cheery and I dislike it.

"Hindi naman, bakit?" sabi ko sa kanya ng walang gana. Tumayo na ako, para lumabas wala na akong klase. I mentally checked my schedule. I have to go to work at a nearby cafe, I'm a waitress for almost two years. It sucked big time, but I have to suck it, to survive. What a cruel world!

Mayroon din akong 'weekend job' sa isang fastfood chain. Ulila na kasi ako mula noong, nagsecond year college ako. I have to work hard to pay up the bills and tuition.

*

Naglalakad lang ako parati patungo sa pinagtratrabahuan ko. The nearby cafe was always in full swing with college students, being the center of two universities in the city.

"Bye, Van!" sabi ng katrabaho ko sakin. I was thankful that I had a different shift today. I could make time to finish my school works. Yet again, I have to walk to my house since I don't have the extra budget to commute and ride public transportation. Napadaan ako sa 7/11, buti nalang at sweldo ko ngayon ang mahal pa naman ng tinda nila dito(para sa akin ah, hindi ko alam sa iba) Bumuli ako na ako ng makakain at humanap ng mauupuan. Nagsimula akong lantakan ang pinamili ko. Ehh, bakit ko nga ba dito naisipang kumain, naalala ko tuloy ang mama't papa ko. Hays, kinuha ko ang cellphone na sa awa ng dios ito lang ang natitirang mamahaling bagay sa akin. Tinignan ko ang huling litrato namin --na masaya.

I groaned and closed my eyes, to calm myself.

"Indeed." Napa-iktad ako dahil sa gulat. Ito na naman, 'yung lumapit sa akin kanina pagkatapos ng klase. Well if it isn't my nameless partner. I spied at his face shamelessly, I wouldn't want to say this but he's handsome. His eyes have this youthful mirth in them. He invited himself to sit on the unoccupied seat in front of me.

"Vanessa Gonzales," Napatango ako ngunit hindi ko maplantsa ang noo kong nakanuot. Bakit niya ako kilala? To think na his part of the 'popular gang', popularity my ass. Hindi ko siya kilala, actually hindi ko kilala ang miyembro ng 'popular gang', but I'm very much familiar with their faces. Well, this so called gang is famous in the university. The supposed members were from different college and they excel in different fields. Guess, they did justice to their gang. "..ang Gabriela Silang wannabe."

"Excuse me?" Wait, should I take that as a compliment? But it's Gabriela Silang we're talking about, one of the bravest Filipino female I've ever known! Tapos sumunod si Mariam Santiago.

An unreadable expression sparked within his eyes as he grinned at me, "Yes, you are excused."

The nerve of this guy to joke at this serious.

"Vanness," sabi niya sabay tawa, nakakahiya! Nagee-echo talaga ang boses niya. Pasalamat siya konti lang ang tao, pinabayaan ko lang siya. Tutal naman tapos na ako sa kinakain ko, tumayo na ako, kinuha ang bagpack. At lumabas ng shop, nagsimula na akong maglakad, hindi naman kalayuan ang subdivision namin kung saan ako nakatira. Naglalakad lang ako, ang ginaw na malapit na pala mag-pasko.

Nakarating na ako sa tapat bahay namin, bahay ko nalang pala. Nakatitig lang ako sa bahay namin, bahay ko nalang! Two story house may maliit na terrace sa second floor, it lacked life, to be honest. The plants have withered and I didn't care to clean it up nor pull it out from the ground.

Binuksan ko ang gate, at tuluyan ng pumasok sa bahay. This not what I used to call 'home' this is now merely 'a house'-a concrete structure. I unlocked the front door and directly climb the stairs, not flicking on the light switch. This is usually my routine since I lost my parents, I drown myself on my work and schoolwork. It let me forget my personal problems. It was mentally draining but I have to survive by myself. I had no one to talk to, my friends aren't here with me and they have their own lives as well.

I muted my sob thoughts as I worked on the problem at hand. Flicking the lampshade on, I started my homework and projects.

This would be a long night. As I write and study the contents of the book I am currently reading, a familiar grin flashed across it. A sudden nagging feeling I have that I am bound for a journey.

Van? Vanness was it.