Anathema

Eight: To just admit it

'Just tell me honestly, lady. You love me more than anyone else.'

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*SHENEAH PARKER BERNARDO*

"Wahh! Inaantok na 'ko. Ayoko na po."

"Focus, Neah."

Nag-inat pa ako at humikab bago humarap sa kanya.

"Inaantok na talaga 'ko. 'Di pa pwedeng time-out muna?"

"No. You have to review all of this. Exams will start tomorrow and you don't even remember the titles of the lessons we took."

"Pero, Ryu."

"No buts, Neah. You can't just rely on your fast reading and memorizing. You have to understand the lesson too."

Hala ka. Nagsimula na naman ang sermon ni Manong Ryu.

"And a failing grade is unforgivable, Lady. Fail an exam and I'll ban you from going outside the Academy."

"Rayu, naman."

"Don't Rayu me, Sheneah. Focus on your notes," aniya pa at muling nagsulat.

Heck. Bakit ba kasi kailangan pang mag-exam? Hindi ba pwedeng puro training na lang?

Dito kasi sa Academy, ipinatutupad pa rin ang pagtuturo ng secular subjects sa mga estudyante, like those normal kids studying outside Cammelor.

Earl Baron University is a sister school para sa mga ordinaryong estudyante. May ibang host rin na ayaw gamitin ang gift nila ang naga-aral sa University. Pwede 'yun kasi may kalaayan naman kaming pumili. Pero syempre hindi pwede ang normal na tao rito sa Academy, they'll die even before they knew it.

At naalala ko lang. Doon nga pala naga-aral si Sherlyn, anak ni tito Eli at tita Sharmaine. Mabisita nga minsan 'yun at nang matanong ko kung gaano kaboring ang classes nila.

"Buti sana kung may makukuha akong premyo kapag nakaperfect ako sa exam," pagpaparinig ko pa at bahagyang tinabig ang braso niya.

Tumigil naman siya sa pagsusulat at hinarap ako.

"How about a kiss then? Perfect your exams and I'll kiss you." Nakasalumbaba pa siya habang nagsasalita.

Agad na umarko ang kilay ko dahil sa narinig.

"Hoy, Ryu. Trip mo ba 'ko?" tanong ko pa at sumalumbaba rin sa harap niya.

"Isn't it obvious? I won't offer you my lips if I don't."

"Baliw."

"A kiss from me is heavenly, Neah. This lips are to die for. Women will even trade a leg for this moment." Itinuro niya pa ang labi niya at bahagya itong kinagat.

"Hala. Didn't know you're that vain, Ryujin Ross."

"It's not being vain, Sheneah Bernardo. It's being true."

"Psh. Bahala ka na nga." Umayos na ako ng upo at nagsimulang magsulat. Nabubwisit lang ako sa lalakeng 'to.

"Sure, you don't want the kiss?" tanong niya pa kaya binatukan ko na siya.

"Sinabi ng ayoko. May tama ka ba?"

"Fine. I'll just treat you on a date this saturday. Whimsickal land, then?"

"Oooh. That's tempting. I'm in," I said then continued writing.

Whimsical Land is a candy store near the city proper. And it's my favorite place.

But that kiss he offered, is a bit tempting too. Well, I'll think about it later. Haha.

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