Home (Summer Series #1)

Kabanata VI

"If you're not yet done, I 'll tell Mang Rene to wait for a couple of minutes."

Strike one. I'm trying my best to ignore him just what I have planned. Pero he is acting so weird kagabi pa. I shifted at my seat at tumikhim bago magsalita.

"Hindi na. Tapos na ako."

Tumango siya at tumungo sa pinto hawak ang isang suit case. Siguro, nakalagay lahat ng mga requirements niya para sa school. He's wearing a black v-neck shirt, ripped skinny jeans and ankle boots. I imagine him wearing a tux with that suit case of his. Napakurap-kurap ako sa aking pagiisip. Hay, Carrie.

I fixed my laces of my sneakers and went outside. I chose a maroon slip dress over a tshirt since the school allows us to wear dresses and shorts habang hindi pa naguumpisa ang school year.

My eyes were darted at Nate's. He's leaning on the SUV with his hands on his pockets, making him look like a man who's waiting for his girlfriend to come by. He opened the back door the moment he saw me walking towards them. Strike two.

The drive to the school was pretty silent. Medyo naging hassle ang naging daanan dahil batuhan ang dinaanan namin. The school is located at the center of Ria De Vigo, which is our community, making it convenient para na rin sa ibang estudyante dahil madalas silang maglakad lamang mula sa kanilang tirahan patungong paaralan. One of the main reasons kung bakit hindi ko kayang iwan ang lugar na ito, napamahal na rin ako sa mga kababayan ko dito. They are very kind and generous.

We arrived nine-thirty in the morning. Nagpaalam kami kay Mang Rene at nagsabing magtetext nalang ako kay Inay Fely pag natapos ang orientation naming dalawa. Although, I'm not sure kung mauuna ako dahil mas hassle ang pagaasikaso ng kolehiyo kaysa sa aming senior high school.

"Let's go to your class first. Mabilis lang naman siguro, since you are a graduating student. And you've been here since then."

Mataman ko siyang tinitigan. Where's the arrogant manipulative brute now? Is he on Mars or something? Or is he possessed?

"Kaya ko na. Alam ko naman ang building ng College Admission Office. Sunod na lang ako sayo."

"No.Baka mapano ka."

My heart skipped a beat. Strike three. The way he said those words felt like cloud nine. Kung di sumagi sa isip ko ang sinabi niya sakin noong nagpunta kami sa El Pescador, baka maisip kong napakagentleman niya talaga. Kaso hindi.

"I can handle myself. Go ahead at magasikaso--"

Hinila niya ang palapulsuhan ko at nagsimulang maglakad. There was a part of me saying to let go and there was a part of me saying don't waste your chances. Nagpatianod nalang ako kahit pinagtitinginan kami ng mga tao. I bet this will be headline on tsismis around campus. I don't know why they are staring at us. There's only two reasons: one, having myself being pulled by a guy for the first in forever, or the guy himself.

"Ms.Esquivel!"

Natanaw ko si Mam Pereda. She's my adviser since primary school. Sobrang coincidence na napapalipat siya sa ibang department kasabay ng pagtungtong ko from grade six until now.

"Mam! Good morning po!"

"Good morning. Sabi ko na nga ba at pupunta ka pa dito. Ikaw talaga bata ka! I've been constantly reminding you na kahit di ka na pumunta. You are automatically enrolled dahil matagal ka ng estudyante dito not unless you'll come here to transfer to another school?"

I quickly shook my head. Ni minsan, hindi sumagi sa isip ko ang umalis sa paaralang ito. Everything is simple here, yet just the right school I was looking for.