To Meet In The Middle (Meet Series 1)

18. I'm Never Signing Up

Time really flies so fast.

Hindi ko man lang namamalayan at dalawang linggo nalang bago magsimula ang panibagong semester. Where did all the time go? Well, after ng amusement park getaway namin ay muli na naman kaming naging abala sa kanya-kanyang buhay. To pass time, I continued studying in our library. At first, I thought that I'll eventually give up... Pero okay naman pala. Hindi ko nga lang masiyadong pinepressure ang sarili ko kasi alam ko namang ituturo pa ang mga topics ng maigi ng mga Profs ko. At least ay may general knowledge na ako at hindi yung completely clueless.

Ngayong gabi rin ang thanksgiving party ni Jason sa isang kilalang hotel dito sa amin. Pero bago pa man kami tuluyang pumunta dun ay kailangan ko pang samahan si June sa org meeting nila sa isang restobar sa tapat lang ng paaralan namin. Every start of the sem kasi ay may annual gathering ang members nito. At dahil vice president si June dito and the members were composed of MT students ay pinakiusapan ako ng best friend ko na mag-volunteer at tumulong sa paghahanda ng place para sa event nila bukas.

"Make sure na wala akong babayarang pagkain bukas June ha. Mahal ang serbisyo ko." I joked as we were both walking towards the said bar. Isa din kasing great advantage ng pagiging malapit ng complex namin sa Uni ay nakakatipid ako lagi ng pamasahe.

Tinawanan lang naman niya ako bago hinawakan ang braso ko. "Oo na. Oo na. Wala naman talagang babayaran dun eh, exclusive yung event for the whole org." She explained.

Hindi parin ako makapaniwalang sa bar talaga nila piniling mag-held ng gathering. Mabuti nalang talaga at hindi strict ang school namin sa mga ganito... And well, we're all of legal age. But still... I wasn't expecting this. Siguro wala lang talaga akong ka ide-ideya sa mga pamamalakad ng orgs because I was never a part of one.

"Why don't you join our org? Hindi naman kasi nun kinukuha ang time mo sa pag-aaral. Parang org lang talaga siya to gather most of the MT students and to have people to lean on, especially those who know what you're going through as well." She smiled widely at me. I rolled my eyes kasi ginagamit na naman niya ang convincing tone nito.

"I have you guys. Why do I have to have them as well?"

June scoffed and slightly pushed me. "Napaka mo talaga, Clementine! You seriously need socialization." She pouted. "Sige na kasi. I-enjoy mo yung event bukas ng gabi then sabihan mo ako pag nagustuhan mo o hindi... I'm pretty sure na magugustuhan mo and you'll sign up."

I rolled my eyes as I clinged my arms on hers.

"Dami-daming sinasabi Junipher." Tawa ko.

Mas lalo lang siyang sumimangot at nanatiling ganun hanggang sa makarating kami sa bar.

Ito ang unang beses kong makapasok dito but I already know the place because of how popular it is with the students (and professors as well). I wasn't expecting na sobrang laki pala dito sa loob at may loft area pa for the live band, the whole interior is heavily based on Brooklyn's industrial design.

Laking-gulat ko nang makitang maraming na tao ang andito sa loob. I even saw a few familiar faces, including Vanessa and Kathy, na agad akong nilapitan at niyakap pagkapasok ko palang sa lugar.

"Ate Clem!"

"Long time no see!"

I looked at my best friend who just gave me a wink before leaving me, nilapitan na niya yung ibang nagkukumpulan malapit sa bar counter at kausap ata ang may-ari ng lugar. I heard that he's an alumnus of our university.

"Hello. Kamusta na kayo?" I smiled after hugging them both. I actually missed them since it's been a long time since I last saw them.

Nginitian naman ako ni Kathy habang hawak-hawak ang braso ko. "Okay naman Ate."