We Just Are (GU #1.5)

8 : omicron

I stared at Onyx incredulously. What the hell?

Hindi na ako sumagot. Hindi na rin ako nag-abala pang lumapit sa kanya dahil tinalikuran ko na siya't dumiretso sa pinto.

Hawak ko na ang doorknob nang magsalita siya. "Where do you think you're going?"

Napahinto ako, oo, pero hindi pa rin ako sumagot at pinihit na iyon saka hinila ang pinto.

"Alright. Leave this room and you're out of your org."

Doon na ako tuluyang natigilan. Ano? He just threatened me. Buti nga sana kung empty threat lang 'yun. But after knowing how close he's with Denver, I was sure he could do that.

Napabuga ako ng hininga saka isinara ulit 'yung pinto. Binitiwan ko na rin yung doorknob saka dahan-dahang humarap sa kanya.

"There she goes," he mocked.

"What do you want?" I asked nonchalantly.

He gave me a smug look first before answering. "Are you sure you're asking me that? Baka hindi mo maibigay."

I kept my face straight. "Hindi ako nakikipagbiruan."

Tinapatan niya ang tingin ko. "Who said I'm joking?"

Hindi na ako nakapagsalita pa. Seryoso ba talaga siya?

I examined his face. It was blank. I couldn't read it. Even the way he stared at me right now, it was cold. There was not even a hint of mockery or -

Then he laughed. Like laugh, laugh. Yung klase ng tawa na tila ba katatapos lang makarinig ng bentang joke. At bahagya akong napanganga sa kanya.

Was he some kind of bipolar?

"You're face it's so damn funny! Akala mo seryoso na talaga ako doon, ano?" sabi niya pagkatapos tumigil sa isang mahabang pagtawa. At napailing ako sa kanya. He's impossible. He gave me a lopsided smile. "Okay. I was really joking earlier. But I'm not joking with my grade in Accounting. So Ms. Tutor, can we start our lesson now?"

Sa huli, hindi na lang ako nagmatigas pa at umupo doon sa isang silya sa harap ng table kung saan nakaupo si Onyx. Ginawa ko na lang na motivation na matatapos din to kung agad ko ring sisimulan. At sandali lang naman ang isa't kalahating oras. Sigurado akong hindi ko mamamalayan at tapos na 'to.

But I had to give it to Onyx. With how he was answering the questions I was throwing him, he really had a small idea with the subject.

Thankfully, hindi na siya nagcomment ng anuman na hindi tungkol sa pinag-uusapan namin. But honestly, nakailang tingin din ako sa relo para magcheck ng oras. At nang limang minuto na nga lang ang natitira, inumpisahan ko na ang pagbibilin ko. "Sagutan mo na lang tong Review Questions sa dulo ng chapter tapos pareview mo na lang ang sagot sa magiging tutor mo sa susunod na linggo."

Onyx didn't answer. Bagkus, matiim niya lang akong tinitigan pagkatapos ay kumunot ang noo niya na parang noong mga oras lang na iyon naproseso ang mga sinabi ko sa kanya. "Magiging tutor?" ulit niya. "What do you mean?"

I looked at him, keeping my expression blank. "Narinig mo ako. Iba na ang magiging tutor mo next week. There's no reason for me to continue this."

Nagbuga siya ng hangin. "And who said I'd like another tutor?"

"It's not for you to decide, Mr. Peralta," pormal kong sagot. Clearly showing him that I didn't want anything to do with him. "Because I'm not doing this anymore." Inayos ko na ang gamit saka tiningnan ang oras. Good, just in time. "The session for today ends here. Bye."

And I hope not to see you ever again, I added in my head.

I was glad I was able to get out of that place silently. Hindi ako pinigilan ni Onyx o anuman.