CREAM OF THE CROP

Chapter 3 - Arvin

"Family makes us whole. But sometimes it is what breaks us apart."

-Jamei

***

We stayed in the Mcdo for about two hours. Laughing and telling stories about our summer vacation. It was four already when we decided to go out.

Naglakad-lakad kami konti sa plaza bago umuwi.

"Bye guys. Text kayo pag nakauwi na kayo," sabi ko

We bade each other goodbye and we fled home.

***
Days passed by in a blur after the orientation. Wala akong ibang ginawa sa mga araw na iyon kundi kumain, magbasa ng libro, at kumain ulit.

Tapos na rin ang unang buwan ng klase at ngayon ay July na.

Medyo late ako ngayong nagising kaya nagmamadali akong pumasok sa Northern Gate. Sinulyapan ko ang flagpole at nakita ko na ang bandera na sumasabay sa ihip ng hangin. Mas binilisan ko pa ang paglakad pero nang marinig ko na may nagsasalita pa mula sa mga speakers, I relaxed a bit.

Dumaan ako sa harapan ng main building. Sa likod nito ay ang English building at sa likod ng English building ay ang athletic field kung saan ginaganap ang flag ceremony at ngayon ay Announcement na.

"Good Morning Ilocos Sur National High School! A month has passed and today is the day we officially conduct the Nutrition Month Celebration," panimula ng Head ng TLE Department.

"Avi!" Huminto ako sa paglalakad at lumingon sa likuran at kita ko si Arvin na nagmamadaling pumunta sa kinaroroonan ko.

Hinihingal siya nang magkatabi na kami. Nakauwang ng bahagya ang manipis at mapupula niyang labi. Katamtaman lang ang pangangatawan niya, matangkad sa kanyang edad at kung meron mang distinksiyon si Arvin sa iba, ito ay ang kanyang panga. His jaw was prominent, isang katangiang tinitilian ng mga kababaihan. And his cold, deep set eyes were too intense to stand.

"Kalma, Ar," biro ko habang nakangisi.

Napangisi siya ng konti at sa kaliwang bahagi sa baba ng kanyang labi ay lumitaw ang maliit na dimple. He licked his lower lip and took out his handkerchief to wipe away the sweat on his forehead.

Hot, I thought.

Sabay kaming naglakad patungo sa field. Ako sa kanan, siya naman sa kaliwa.

"Good morning officers!" bati ng mga CAT trainees na nakahilera sa gilid ng main building.

One of the perks of being in the STE class is to participate in almost all activities and involve yourself in almost every club and organization in this school. Being a CAT officer is one of those things.

Mayroong kakaibang pride na naibibigay ng pagiging CAT officer. Every friday, we wear our fatigue and it feels so cool. Wearing the fatigue demands respect and authority from the people around.

"Good Morning!" I replied quietly and flatly. I nudged his elbow. "Bumati ka rin oy," I whispered to him as I cling my left arm to his.

One more thing, our bond as classmates is not easy to break. Paano ba naman e hindi pwede ang transferees not unless they came from the same program from their former school. That means, no new faces. Pare-parehong mukha ang makikita mo araw-araw tapos lagi pang magkatabi ang classrooms namin kaya minsan napakahirap i-identify kung sino ang classmate ko at ang hindi.

"Hayaan mo sila," pagsusungit niya habang diretso ang tingin sa harap.

Lahat sila ay bumati and I noticed how they stiffened at the glance of Arvin. Yung mga babaeng trainee ay nagtitinginan at kita ko sa mga mata nila ang paghanga sa katabi ko.

"Trainees, eyes front," he commanded with a hard, demanding voice. Tuloy tuloy lang kami sa paglalakad habang binabanggit niya iyon.

"Yes, Sir!" they replied in unison.

Arvin is a Corps Executive Officer A. Dalawa ang executive officers. The other one is a girl.

Humagikgik ako at nagbiro, "Bad, Arvin."

He ignored me. He gestured his right hand closer to his body causing me to inch closer to him. Humigpit ang pagkakaipit ng kamay ko sa braso niya.

"Aren't you aware how close we are, Arvin? They might think I'm your girlfriend," taas kilay kong tanong sa kanya.

Tumingin siya sa akin na nakakunot noo. "In your dreams Arissa Vintorez," nandidiring sabi niya at nagroll eyes pa.

Hinawakan ko ang nanakit na tiyan dahil sa katatawa.

No one has ever seen him roll eyes like that but me. No one knew except me that he's, well, smoking hot gay.