Taken For Granted

CHAPTER 11: One Step Away

Every school days, ganito ang set up. Yes, professors come 15minutes late. Don't be mistaken. It's for those who come late. Because after that allowance time, and wala pa sila, they will surely be marked LATE, of course. The thing is, it might affect your grade if madalas kang late. That's why 15minutes is the allowance time. Kumbaga, walang sisihan. If you came after that, like 1:30 class will be starting 1:45, it is your fault. Kasi you've been given enough time to not be late. Right?

But, syempre di ko i-detailed ulit yung class. Usual lang naman. Recitation, discussion, paminsan may reporting, group activity. Ganon lang.

Break time.

Hindi ako sanay na hindi kasama si Ian. We've been friends for quite a long time, and laging siya ang nakakasabay kong kumaen. Although close ko naman ang ibang blockmates ko, I am most close kay Ian. Para kasi ngang best friend ko na siya...a guy bestfriend.

Buti na lang my classmate and a friend asked me if pwede niya akong samahan na lang. Since I am alone naman, I said yes and thank you. At least alam kong may nakakasama pa din ako kahit waka si Ian. Bihira lang din kasi magkasabay break time namin ng barkada.

We went to the cafeteria. It is what, almost 3pm already. It'll be brunch and merienda for me since di na ako nag-heavy breakfast before leaving home kanina. I just had coffee  and wheat bread with butter. Hindi ako nag-lunch coz dito na nga ako kakain sa school.

So I bought rice and burger steak. Sorry, I just love burgers. HAHA

Upon taking our seats...

"Himala Sam you're not with Adrian? Bakit, break na ba sila ni Nina kaya galit kayo ni Ian?" - Rizel Molina

"Ha? Ahh wala lang. Maiba lang. Kasi lagi na lang sya kasama ko. Nakakasawa! Chos! Hahahaha. De. Kasama niya yung ibang boys. I think may pinuntahan lang saglit" Pagsisisnungaling ko.

Ayoko naman kasing magkwento pa. Kapag sinabi ko pa na hindi nga okay, madami pang tanong, issues and all. I'd keep quiet about it instead.

Habang kumakaen, napagusapan yung sa class. About assignments, scheduled reports, group works. We laughed about what happened kanina sa first subject since we had interactive discussion na kinda cute ang concept.

While kausap ko si Rizel, maybe 5 to 10 minutes palang ang na-consume namin sa one and a half hour break time. 4:30 ang next class til 6pm.

Ian passed by with the boys...his barkada. They sat two seats far from the table of Rizel and I. His best friend, Mark, ay lumapit sakin. He tapped my shoulder and said 'Hi'. Syempre nag-Hello naman ako.

"Denisse. Kamusta? We don't talk and see each other quite often ha. Kamusta sila Mj? Danna? Nina is fine naman kasi nakikita ko siya kapag magkakasama kami nitong sila Adrian." - Mark

"Ow. They are good. Si MJ and Danna are okay sa course nila. They love it there sa Tourism Department. They'll get to see and travel around kasi which, gustong gusto nila. Ako, I am good. Enough of being busy. Balanse lang. You, how are you? Kamusta ang Advertising?"

"I'm fine, thanks for asking. Anyways, masaya din coz hindi masyadong busy. And, it's good to know everybody's fine! Sige na I'll go buy my food and ituloy nyo na yang  pagkain niyo. HAHAHA [faced Rizel]. Hey, goodbye. See you around...  [waiting for her to tell her name as he reached out his hand]"

"Ah! The name's Rizel...Rizel Molina. [shook Mark's hand]"

"Nice name. I'm Mark...Mark David. Good to meet you! I'll go ahead"

As he walks past us...

"Close kayo, nu? Kaano-ano mo?"

"Mark's my high school classmate from Yano Academy. He loves calling me by my second name ."

Adrian, not far from me, I saw him looking this way. Hindi ko alam kung nag-assume lang ako basta I saw him. Hindi talaga ako sanay. It's like he is one step away from me.

You think assuming lang ako na nakatingin si Adrian sa akin?

"Friend, hindi. Nakatingin talaga siya." - Rizel

What?! I said my thought out loud? Gosh, Samantha. You are so tangaaaaa!!!! I must pretend I meant to say it loud to ask her.

"Ahh. Bakit kaya? [laughed... trying to sound convincing]"

"Maybe may gustong itanong about Nina? I think ganon."

"Maybe ganon nga. I think he'll ask din naman later. C'mon. Balik na tayo sa room." It is almost time for the next subject."

Buti na lang di niya napansin. Whew. That is surprising. HAHAHA. Anong katangahan naman ang nangyari kanina? Hay nako Samantha Denisse!!! You are careless minsan.  Psh. So we head back to the room.

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Anyways, I miss him. Yes. Siguro kasi hindi nga ako sanay na without him mocking me at times. Lalo na pag ganitong break time. Ian... I hope we'd be okay soon.