My Boyfriend is a Freak (Published under Pop Fiction)

15: Mira

Ang Hollier Institute of Higher Studies na yata ang pinakasosyal na university na napuntahan ko. Imagine, may all-glass events hall sila na tinatawag na "Crystal Palace" sa loob mismo ng school premises? It was so beautiful that I had to make a conscious effort na 'wag mapanganga nang itigil ni Vren ang kotse niya at nakita ko, in all its glory, ang kagandahan ng alma mater ng boyfriend ko.

Most buildings inside Hollier have modern architecture. The lawns are perfectly polished; seemingly every corner is highlighted by a decorative statue or an ornamental plant. Parang hindi ko nga magawang tapakan ang damo dahil pakiramdam ko, one small damage would be very noticeable in a perfect setting such as where I am right now.

"Welcome to Hollier, Ms. I'm-A-Pierceson-Alumnus," pang-aasar sa akin ni Vren na nahalata yata ang pagkamangha ko sa university na pinanggalingan niya. "This place is amazing, I know. But you don't have to look that awestruck."

"Che!" mataray na sagot ko naman sa kanya. "E ano naman kung mas sosyal ang university mo sa akin? Ikamamatay ko ba 'yon?"

Bilang ganti ay tinawanan lang ako ng mokong.

"Come on, we still have to walk a few ways to Crystal Palace. I want to get this over with."

****

"Oh, my God. Look who's here! It's Vren Montevilla!"

"Damn, girl. He looked even better than before! I didn't know that was possible!"

"Who is that girl? May girlfriend na pala siya?"

"Shame. She looks so ordinary, I'm surprised Vren even took notice of her."

Aba! Sino ang mahaderang frog na 'yon?

I craned my neck to see who insulted me, but it was impossible to discern the owner of the voice from the crowd. Inasahan ko na namang ganito ang magiging reaksyon ng mga schoolmate ni Vren sa oras na makita nila si Mr. Montevilla, at hindi naman ako nabigo. Halos lahat ng mga tao sa Crystal Palace ay awtomatikong naglingunan nang pumasok kami ni Vren sa events hall. After realizing who the newcomers were, they started talking among themselves – mostly expressing their surprise and excitement to see Vren attend the homecoming after so long. But a few comments were also directed at me – the unexpected plus-one.

Ganoon na ba ako kachaka para magulat sila nang bongga na natipuhan ako ni Vren?

I looked at my boyfriend, expecting him to be at least smirking at the absurdity of the crowd's reaction at our arrival, but he looked so expressionless, it was as if he didn't even notice the buzz around us. He seemed to be really spaced out.

"Psst, Vren!" Pasimple ko siyang siniko. "Tatayo na lang ba tayo rito? Parang matutunaw na ako sa tingin ng mga tao, e."

"Don't mind them. Come on, we'll find an unoccupied table." We started walking, with everybody's stare following us.

Sa kasamaang palad ay hindi nagtagumpay ang plano ni Vren na humanap ng bakanteng mesa, dahil bigla na lamang may humarang sa amin na lalaking kung hindi titingnan nang maigi ay pwedeng mag-blend in sa mga server na noon ay gumagala sa loob ng Crystal Palace para magsilbi ng iba't ibang inumin.

"Vren! You made it, bro!" sabi ng lalaki sabay akbay kay Mr. Montevilla. "And is this your girlfriend? Mira – the one who took my call?"

"Francis Lee?" I asked, smiling.

"The one and only." He bowed like a gentleman, making me laugh. "Glad you both made it. Hey, bro, how are you?" he asked, turning to Vren again.

"Fine." Daig pa ni Vren ang isang estatwa sa pagiging stiff niya. He wasn't even meeting his friend's gaze. "If you'll excuse us – Mira and I are looking for an empty table."