Forever Agape [FS#1]

HIGH HOPES

C h a p t e r  25

The hands of the clock had a quick chase after that night. The following days for the second week of November happened in a snap, or maybe, it escaped my notice that hours are just like seconds now. What I know after that was, he's good at working behind the curtains and I want to be just like him.

If there are people whom I look up to for the longest of time now, it's my parents. They're just too good at their chosen field, everyone is amazed by that. In Mom's fingertips and Dad's vast mind, they can sew every hole of the fabric in the universe. I told myself it would be unfair for the world to depend on my life to them, I would make my way too up to where they are right now. To the heavens, I will soar. But not on their way, I want to do it in Hell's way. Smooth and steady.

"Check this," I stopped playing with my pen when Aleana tapped my back. Tinanaw ko ang librong hawak niya at nanliit ang mata upuang mabasa ang itinuturo nito. "That'll work, right? Noong monday lang tayo nag-quiz, heto na naman!"

"Lower down your voice!" Natigil ito nang marinig ang singhal ng librarian.

"That'll do, shortcuts? You should study that and try to play with some word problems." I suggested, she just nodded as she continue reading the book.

The library's quiet, there are other students too but seat away from our table. After we ate lunch, we went straight here to collect books that provide shortcuts formulas, or even the unfamiliar but easy ones. Si Sari ay tanaw naming kasama ni Henry, parehas na naghahanap pa rin ng libro.

"Do you think something's between them already?" Her eyes are on them too. Kibit balikat akong hindi sumagot at ibinagsak ang mata sa libro. "But you're distant, and I don't look entertaining. Sari's not us." Umiiling iling niyang sabi habang naglalaro ang ngiti sa labi.

"You should get yourself a boy, too." She laughs a little while shaking his head, I look up to her as she gazes away. "Titingin lang ako, maybe some can help us for capstone." Paalam ko.

Pumunta ako sa kasuluk-sulukan ng silid at hinarap ang isang wooden cabinet, tiningala ko pa iyon sa laki. They compile the theses of the alumni, maybe it can help us too.

The main difference between capstone and thesis is that capstone addresses a certain issue regarding your particular sphere of interest. The thesis, on the other hand, attempts to create new knowledge. Specific topic vs. broader generalized issue.

"Ms. De Vera," Mabilis na lumipad ang tingin ko sa tumawag sa akin. "It looks like you're getting ready for your studies," Ngumiti ako at tumango, may mga hawak itong libro na siguradong tungkol din sa research.

"Mas mabuti na pong handa," Sandali siyang tumawa at tumango.

"Regarding tomorrow, sana ay makapunta ang mga magulang mo." Sa sinabi niya ay napakunot ako, alam niyang simula pa lang ay hindi na nakakadalaw dito sina Mommy. They're busy, I always tell him. "It'll be your last year, my co-teachers are rooting for you to take home the awards..." Oh, now I know what is he talking about. Bukas na nga pala iyon.

"Mom will send her secretary, Sir. Just like the usual," Natatawa kong wika, kahit wala pang sinasabi si Mommy kung sino nga ba. She didn't call again after that night, I didn't bother to call her too because I knows she's busy. "And regarding the awards, frankly saying, our department should divert their eyes to the other researchers too, Sir."

Ngumiti ako at binuksan ang cabinet, binasa ko ang mga label sa ibaba at pinili ang ilang mga thesis na under ng scope namin.

"Nako, to Mr. Laurette?" Natawa ito, umiling ako at natawa rin. "Sabagay, if you lend your help to him, hindi malabo." Pinagpag ko ang alikabok ng mga theses at tinanaw ulit ang guro. "And besides, Mr. Laurette will be here too, I'm sure he'll be proud if ever..."