Nakabusangot ang mukha ni Miss Rose ng pumasok siya sa classroom. Mugto ang mga mata at walang bahid ng makeup ang mukha. She looked so miserable I pitied her and almost despised my own brother.
I knew they broke up just yesterday. My brother was the one who ended their relationship. I don't really understand him. They were so happy the past few days I almost thought their relationship would last.
She looked so tired. Matamlay ang bawat kilos niya at panay pa ang buntong-hininga. As if she has the weight of the world on her shoulders. I almost walked up to her to ask her if she's okay or what.
I didn't have to ask my brother dahil kusa niyang pinaalam sa akin na nakipaghiwalay na raw siya. He even had the audacity to look proud. I asked him why. He told me he got bored of her. Napailing na lang ako sa sinagot niya at nagwalk out.
"Prepare your presentations." She sounded so fragile. She sounded like she's about to break any moment.
Love is a powerful thing. It could easily destroy even the strongest person. But love isn't love without the pain. Pain is inevitable.
"Mukhang wala sa mood si Miss, today." Bulong sa akin ni Joyce. I just nodded my head in silent agreement. I just can't tell her that I know the reason. I don't think I have the right to tell her.
Dahil kami ang group one, kami na rin ang unang nagpresent. Panay ang ginagawa kong pagsulyap sa cellphone ko, hoping to get a text message or a phone call. He promised he'd be here today for the presentation. Pinanghawakan ko ang pangakong yon.
Sa paglipas ng apat na araw, my relationship with Nixon evolved. From strangers to mere friends. I didn't know how it happened. Namalayan ko na lang na araw-araw na niya na pala akong hinahatid pauwi. Kilala na rin siya ng guwardiya namin. Nagugulat na lang ako when he shows up out of nowhere and offers to give me a ride. Para siyang kabute.
My parents never confronted me about it. Either they don't know or they plainly don't care. Even my brother hasn't mentioned anything about Nixon kahit na nakita na niya akong hinatid nito hindi lamang isang beses. Dakila pa naman yong pakialamero.
Naka on na ang projector at pinatay na ang mga ilaw sa loob ng classroom. Lumipat si Miss Rose sa likurang bahagi ng silid.
Lisa and Jennie, two of my group mates, set up the laptop. Ako naman ay nanatiling nakaupo sa aking upuan. Joyce nudged me on the side making me look away from my phone.
"Uy, presentation niyo na girl." Inginuso niya ang harapan kung saan naroon na ang mga kagrupo ko.
"Hmm." I took one last glance at my phone's screen and gave up. Tumayo na ako at tinulungan na ang mga kagrupo sa aming presentation.
The class ended pero wala pa rin kahit anino niya ang nagpakita o nagparamdam. I called my brother to hitch a ride because my ride ditched me.
Nakauwi na ako sa bahay pero hindi pa rin siya nagpaparamdam. I'm starting to worry. We've been texting nonstop since he drove me home the first time. This is unusual of him. Baka may nangyari ng masama sa kanya.
Nakatulog ako na iyon pa rin ang iniisip. Lumipas ang isang linggo na hindi pa rin siya nagpaparamdam. I tried to let it go pero hindi ko maiwasang magtampo. A simple text message would've been enough you know.
"Bat ang tamlay mo?" I was awoken from my reverie when Callista spoke up.
"Huh?" Nasa library kami, studying for an upcoming exam on our major subject. Nagkalat ang mga papel at highlighters sa mesa. Joyce has her earphones on while noisily tapping on her own calculator.
