Hopeless

Simula

"I know that things won't always happen the way we want them to and that we'll have to work to remember that we chose this. It won't be perfect, not all the time. This isn't happily ever after. It's so much more than that."

Reading this particular part of the book made me want a happy ending of my own. It brought me a sense of peace and serenity. My friend, Jeanine, was staring at me while I read the last part of the book.

"Ganyan ka ba palagi?" Jeanine asked.

"Anong ganito?"

"You read the last lines of every book you read." she said, matter-of-factly.

"So?" I asked.

"It's weird."

"Nakasanayan ko lang."

I closed my book, fixed my stuff and stood up from the chair I was sitting in. Sinundan ako ng tingin ni Jeanine. Nakuha niya ang gusto kong gawin kaya tumayo na rin siya at niligpit ang kanyang mga gamit. Nang matapos ay lumabas na kami ng Library.

"You know Irina, imbes na mga libro at mg fictional characters ang atupagin mo, bakit hindi ka na lang mag-hanap ng totoong tao?" pag basag ni Jeanine sa katahimikan.

"Hindi ko priority ang paglalandi, Jeanine." I laughingly said. Napasimangot ang kaibigan ko dahil sa sinabi ko. Hindi niya na lang pinansin ang aking sinabi at inirapan.

"Hindi naman kasi paglalandi. Mag gragraduate ka na ng college pero ano? NBSB at birhen ka parin? Pero sige, okay lang maging virgin pero seryoso, sa ganda mong 'yan? Walang boyfriend?"

"As I've said a while ago, hindi ko priority ang ganyan. I need to graduate with flying colors and make my parents proud. I just don't want a lot of distractions." ani ko.

"As if you're not excelling already? Running for Cum Laude ka! Your parents will surely be proud of you!" she cheerfully said.

"I don't know..."

Nag lalakad kami sa hall ng aming University. May nakakasalubong kaming mga kakilala o di kaya'y mga kaibigan. I would usually ignore them but since I'm with Jeanine, kailangan ko silang batiin pabalik. Hindi sa nagsusungit pero I just find it awkward when I greet people I do not know.

"Kung ako sa'yo maghahanap na ako ng aasawahin. Daming tao sa Pilipinas baka maubusan ka, hala ka."

Now, it's my turn to roll my eyes. This girl. San niya ba napupulot ang mga sinasabi niya?

"Ayoko maghanap. At isa pa, hindi 'yan hinahanap. Kusang dumadating 'yan." I said with full conviction.

Huminga ng malalim si Jeanine at umiling na lamang.

"Okay, fine. Your choice." ani niya.

Tumigil kami sa harap ng room nila. Hinarap niya ako at sinabi, "Basta kapag dumating, tanggapin mo na. Accept your blessings."

Nag tawanan kami at nagpaalam na si Jeanine. I had free time so I decided to stay in our school's field. I sat in one of the bleachers and took out some books that I needed to study.

"Why do I always see you studying?" a voice from my back said.

Lumingon ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses at nakita ko si Riggs. My guy best friend.

"What's so bad about me studying?" I asked him back.

"Hindi ko sinasabing masama." he jumped from his seat and sat right next to me, "I just want you to take a break."

"I can't. I have a record to maintain and an empire to handle." I devastatingly said.

"Pinipressure ka parin ni tito at tita?"

"Every single day."

As the only born of successful tycoons, I had to keep up to expectations. Hindi lang sa magulang ko kundi pati sa mga tao na nasa aking paligid. My cousins were already successful, even at the age of 18. Some were in the field of Modelling, Acting, Arts, name it. And our family, in particular, was in the field of business. Everyone expected me to do well. Meaning, disappointing them is never an option.

"Well I think, you're doing a great job." ani Riggs.

"Tell that to mom and dad." we both chuckled at my remark. Tinitigan niya ako ng sandali at tumayo sa harap ko.

"I guess I should leave? I don't want to distract you while you study."

Thoughtful.

"Sure."

Umalis na si Riggs at nag patuloy na ako sa pag-aaral. Halos isang oras na ang itinagal ko. Kung hindi pa dumami ang tao sa field ay hindi ako aalis upang pumasok sa susunod na klase. Iniligpit ko ang nakakalat na gamit at inilagay sa bag.

Naglakad muna ako papunta sa lockers dahil sa bigat ng dala ko. Sa kalagitnaan ng paglalakad ay tumunog ang phone ko. I tried to look for it but I think I misplaced it inside my bag. Hindi parin tumitigil ang pagtunog kaya pinagtitinginan na ako ng iba.

"Nasaan na ba kasi yu--"

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyari pero nakita ko na lang na nahulog ang iba kong gamit, including my phone, sa sahig. Padabog kong ibinalik sa bag ang iba kong gamit. Maya maya ay may tumlong (maybe the person who bumped me) sa akin sa pag balik ng gamit ko. Nang naayos ko na ang aking gamit ay tumayo na ako at tinignan ang nakabangga sa akin. The first thing I noticed was his eyes.

Hazel.

"Sorry." ani niya sa malalim at baritonong boses.

After that he left, leaving me in a daze.

   

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Quoted from the story, The One.