Embraced By The Howling Winds (Antique Series #1)

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

The day has come, and it is my first day as an officially enrolled student of West Santarem School! Honestly speaking, I feel totally nervous knowing that I should blend with the new environment, to meet new people and to learn.

Nagising ako ng maaga para makapagluto ng agahan ko. Hindi naman ako nahirapan dahil mga prito lang naman. Kumain ako ng agahan at pagkatapos no'n ay umakyat na sa kwarto para maligo at magbihis ng uniform.

Makapal na cycling short ang suot ko, at hindi na nagsuot ng sando kasi three-piece naman ang uniform at baka mas lalo akong mainitan. I sprayed minimal amount of perfume on my neck, my uniform, and on my wrist.

It was 7:15 in the morning when I decided to leave the house. Gusto ko sanang gamitin ang kotse pero ayoko namang magmukhang nagyayabang. So I decided to commute.

Nagulat ako nang makitang nandoon si Clajj, nakasandal sa pader at prenteng nakakrus ang braso. He's wearing his college uniform. I think their college uniform was purposely done loose, because I'm only fooling myself if I don't admit that he looks so damn attractive.

His hair is a bit damp, and the strap of his bag hangs on his right shoulder. I was pulled from my reverie and I almost prayed to God to save me from fiery pit because of my inappropriate thoughts.

"Ano'ng ginagawa mo rito?"

Umayos siya ng tayo at lumapit sa akin. "Nandito ako para samahan ka sa unang araw mo."

"Alam ko naman kung nasaan ang WeSaS, kaya hindi na kailangan?" Sabi ko at hindi makapaniwalang tumingin sa kaniya.

Aayaw pa sana ako pero wala akong nagawa nang kinuha ni Clajj ang bag ko at tumakbo papalayo na parang bata.

"Clajj, isa!" Sigaw ko pero parang wala lang siyang narinig. "Akin na 'yang bag ko kasi kaya ko naman talagang dalhin!"

Hinabol ko siya at gustong-gusto naman niyang magpahabol. "Clajj, hindi na ako natutuwa." Sumeryoso ako at nalusaw ang mapaglaro niyang ngiti.

Naging kalmado ang ekspresyon ng mukha ni Clajj at  lumapit sa akin para ibalik ang bag ko. "Galit ka ba? Pasensiya na. I was just teasing you, and I'm here because Auntie Zadie ask me to look out for you on your first day."

It made me think, if it wasn't for Tita Zadie, hindi siya magmamagandang loob. He does this all the time because Tita Zadie ask him to.

I know I have this attitude that not all people likes, at siguro nga pinagt'tiyagaan lang akong samahan ni Clajj... para hindi madismaya si Tita sa kaniya.

I don't know, I'm not mad at Clajj because of that... maybe I'm just disappointed of myself for thinking that there's someone who's genuinely wanted to be there with me.

"Honestly and truthfully speaking, I can't take care of myself just fine, Clajj. Isa pa, ayaw kitang abalahin at magkaiba ang gate ng college sa high school, 'di ba? So why are you wasting your time? Knowing the fact that almost all of the professors easily get mad with petty things and also when you're late."

"Okay lang. First day palang naman ngayon, siguradong halos wala ang mga professor namin." Paniniguro niya.

Mukhang desidido talaga si Clajj kaya naman sumang-ayon ako. Naglakad kami hanggang sa makarating sa paradahan ng tricycle, at as usual ay magkatabi kami.

Nakarating kami sa WeSaS at naglahad ako ng pera pero mas naunang nagbayad si Clajj sa tricycle driver ng pamasahe para sa aming dalawa.

"You should have let me pay for myself, Clajj." I said as we started walking on the corridor. "I hope you won't take my approach negatively. I mean, yes, you're able to pay for my fare, but it'll be better if you save it for yourself. Mas marami kang pinagagastusan kasi college student ka."