A Time In This World [Dubredo]

Book 2: A Time to Struggle

Chapter 7

Kayo na ba? 

This question has been asked so many times to the both of them, Rody and Leni, and whenever they attempt to answer it or just laugh it off or leave it unanswered, for the people who's asking them, actions speak louder than words. 

"Hindi nga kami, pare," Digong reiterated for the nth time.

His friends laughed loudly at him.

"Hindi pa," Bingbong corrected him. 

"So ano yan, momol forever nalang kayo pare?" Jess joked. 

"Wag mo na pakawalan yan, Dut, minsan lang kita makitang ganahan sa pag-aaral mo, mukhang siya naman ang dahilan," Sonny quipped. 

Rody can only shake his head and smile to himself on his friends' comments. He looked at Jun who's looking at him thoughtfully.

"Jun wag naman pati ikaw," he remarked to him.

Jun just shook his head and looked at him in the eye. 

"Maybe she's the way out, Rody. Just recognize that."

--

Way out.

Those two words resonated in his head. He's been repeating the school year countless times and before, he does not care, but now, he wanted to give it all he got and get out of the mess he's made all his life.

Because of Leni.

He thought about what Jun said - she's the way out - but he does not want to use her to his benefit, he's sure of that. She's very precious to him. If ever they'll be in a relationship, it will be about the both of them, not just him. She's an equal, she'll be a woman who'll be beside him and stand by him. 

Rody became very busy as he tried to complete everything he's missed for the last years. He struggled to meet Leni even in the early morning because he almost never went home to finish paperwork. 

"Pasensya ka na babe, kelangan ko kasing -" Rody was stopped by Leni's passionate kiss when they met one morning. They indulged in each other's lips for a while before the first morning classes start. 

"Okay lang," she said breathlessly, when they part. "Iaabot ko lang itong baon mo tapos go ka na," She looked at him, her eyes wide, her cheeks blushing. He looked at her amused. 

"You're so beautiful Ma'am," 

"Thank you!" She held his nape and kissed him again in the lips. 

Prrrrt! 

They laughed in their kiss as they realized it was the guard from the gate. 

Pasok na!

They part ways and looked at each other's red faces, breathless. They both laughed.

"O ano, bukas ulit?" He told her.

She pouted. 

"O bakit?"

"Parang ang tagal pa ng bukas."

He smiled and gave her a forehead kiss. "Mabilis lang yun, lalo na marami tayong ginagawa. Kung mamiss mo ako, isipin mo nalang ako."

"Okay sir! Galingan mo ha, dapat sabay tayo grumaduate ha?" 

"Yes mam!" He gave her a salute and she salute back.

Pasok na sabi!

They gave each other one last kiss before Rody sprinted to his first class.