The Popstars' Love

Chapter 28: Oh, May Ubo Ka Ba?

Mag-isang nakaupo si Andrew sa loob ng recording studio, nag-iisip. Mahigit isang oras na siyang ganoon. Huminga siya ng malalim at lumapit sa kanyang gitara. Tumugtog siya ng konti saka kumanta,

"Who are we? Just a speck of dust within the galaxy?
Woe is me, if we're not careful turns into reality
Don't you dare let our best memories bring you sorrow
Yesterday I saw a lion kiss a deer
Turn the page maybe we'll find a brand new ending
Where we're dancing in our tears and

God, tell us the reason youth is wasted on the young
It's hunting season and the lambs are on the run
Searching for meaning
But are we all lost stars, trying to light up the dark?"

Hindi namalayan ni Andrew na may nakikinig sa kanya mula sa nakaawang na pintuan. Nakita niya itong nakapikit habang kumakanta, dinadamdam ang bawat salita. Ngumisi na lang siya at umiling saka umalis ng tahimik.

Next day...

[Adrian's Point of View]

My 6 am alarm went off, signaling me to get out of bed just to pass the papers for three of my subjects. I took a shower, dressed up, ate my butter and toast, and drove to school by 7:30. It always takes me thirty minutes to get to school because of the senseless traffic.

When I arrived at the university's parking lot, I immediately went to the faculty office, papers in hand. I knocked then one of the staff opened the door for me, "Yes?"

"Good morning. I'm here to pass my papers to Professor Rustan."

"Oh, sure, go ahead." the staff opened the door wider for me to go in.

I saw Professor Rustan sitting at his cubicle, his attention entirely focused on his laptop. Tumikhim ako to get his attention.

He stopped typing and looked up at me, "Oh, good morning, Mr. Elizaga, here to pass your papers again?" he slightly laughed.

"Good morning, Professor Rustan. Yes, I'm here to pass these," inabot ko sa kanya 'yung assignments ko.

"Salamat," ngumiti siya then sighed, "I wish my other students are like you, lalo na ang mga kabanda mo; always passing the assignments before the due date. Halos lahat na lang sila nagccram, laging nagpapaextend, sinasamantala ang propesor." tumawa siya. I gave him a small smile.

"I'll get going, Professor Rustan."

"Sige, Adrian, salamat ulit." tumalikod na ako at pumunta na sa pintuan.

Just as I was ready to go out, someone knocked and opened the door. Nakayuko siyang pumasok...wait-

"Jade?"

Napatalon siya ng konti, "Huy, ba't ka nandito?" shouldn't I be asking her that? I looked at her hands; she was holding more papers than I was earlier.

"Isn't it obvious?" sagot ko.

"Hindi, kasi may practice kayo, diba?" oo nga naman, Adrian.

"Well, I passed my assignments. How 'bout you? What are you doing here?"

"Isn't it obvious?" aba, pilosopo...

"Oh, Jade! Another one of the early birds! Here to pass your assignments, as well?" bati ni Professor Rustan sa kanya. Tinuon na ni Jade ang attention niya kay prof. Makaalis na nga.

I went to the library to check out some books I could use to review for the upcoming exams. I speed-read every book that came to mind that I didn't even notice that I've been in here for almost an hour.

Almost every book I scanned were good to read so I went to the checkout area to have them scanned. As I was waiting, I looked around the library to see students playing around; couldn't quite contain the loudness of their voices. Some were actually studying...wait- si Jade na naman?

I saw her attentively reading one of the three books opened while taking notes. Damn, ang sipag. Hmm...why though? For all I know, her mom work's at a cake shop that makes decent money, so she doesn't have to strive that hard.

Someone coughed in front of me, "Excuse me, your I.D.?" nakataas ang kilay nung librarian habang sinasabi 'yun. Sus. Kinuha ko na lang 'yung card ko mula sa aking bulsa at binigay 'yun sa kanya.

After niyang mascan 'yun, kinuha ko na 'yung card at mga libro na hiniram ko saka pumunta sa kinaroroonan ni Jade. I'm not gonna stay for too long since may lunch pa kami ng banda. She didn't notice my presence kaya tumikhim ako. Hindi niya pa rin ako napansin kaya tumikhim ulit ako.

"May ubo ka ba?" tanong ni Jade habang nagsusulat sa kanyang notebook. This girl...I chose to ignore her.

"What are you studying for?" tumingin siya sa'kin at sa mga libro ko. Sinarado niya 'yung libro na binabasa niya at pinakita sa'kin 'yung tatak.

"Same as what you're studying for, I guess." tumango ako. Masipag nga.

"That's admirable," I said without even thinking.

Tumingin lang siya sa'kin, but then she gave out a little smile, a shy one, even, "Thanks."

I swear I heard my heartbeat for a second.

[Third Person Point of View]

Saktong nakarating si Adrian sa usapang lunch ng banda. Nagtataka silang nakatingin sa kanya habang siya'y palapit sa kanila, except na lang kay Gerald dahil nakatutok na naman ito sa games niya.

"Ba't masaya 'yun?" bulong ni Kyle sa mga katabi sa lamesa.

Lumingon si Andrew sa parating na kaibigan, "May naoutsmart siguro. Alam mo naman 'yun, laging natutuwa 'pag ganun," sagot niya habang pinaglalaruan ang kanyang pagkain.

Biglang nataranta si Kyle, "Shh! Here he comes." umupo si Adrian sa tabi nito at binuklat ang menu.

Ilang sandali pa lamang, hindi rin napigilan ni Kyle magsalita, "Hoy, Adrian, ba't ka nakangiti dyan?" napaface palm si Chris sa kanya habang natatawa.

Hindi siya pinansin ni Adrian at tumawag na lang ng waiter para makapag-order na ito, "One tonkatsu bento and water, please."

Nakatingin pa rin si Kyle sa kanya, "Hoy, sagutin mo 'ko." unti-unting nawala ang maliit na ngiti ni Adrian at tumingin ito sa katabi.

"Mind your own business, Kyle."

"Imamind na nga ang aking business." tumigil na rin siya.

Kaso nagsalita naman si Chris, "No, really, what's up, Adrian? Haven't seen you smiling lately, even if it's just a tad bit." tumingin ang mga kabanda dito except kay Gerald dahil naglalaro pa rin siya ng games sa cellphone niya.

"I just passed my papers earlier which I wish you and the others would do the same." pasimple silang umiwas ng tingin except kay Chris na diretso pa rin ang tingin sa kanya.

"Hmm that's unlikely since you always pass our assignments before the deadline. How is today any different?" tiningnan lang ni Adrian ang nakangising Chris. Dumating na rin ang order nito at kumain na lang para makapagpractice at makauwi agad.