Chasing Life And Love

Ang Pagkikita

"Santi, do we have other car other than this red Range Rover? This is too flashy," I complained to Santi. I came to Philippines to live a peaceful life, away from attention.

"Willie, kunin mo na lang yung black SUV sa garahe sa likod," pag uutos ni Santi.

Humarap ito sakin pagkatapos, "It's monday and you're already complaining, Miss." I just rolled my eyes after hearing him said that. Lakas makasagot ng kumag na 'to. Nakalimutan atang ako ang boss.

Dumating na si Willie sakay ng isang black Montero Sports SUV. Pinagbuksan ako ni Santi ng pintuan ng sasakyan, saka ako pumanaog. "I'm just a call away if you need my service, Miss. Have a safe trip," magalang na paalam niya.

As usual, I just nodded. I put the recliner of my seat, put on my earphone, and so our trip began..

"Ma'am."

"Ma'am."

"MA'AM!"

The f*** with that shouting?

"Ma'am nandito na po tayo," akma ni Willie.

"I'll text you if I'm about to go home." I unlocked the door and opened it.

A tall building surrounded with luscious garden welcomed my eyes. Ang ganda. I'm slowly beginning to feel that I'll finally find my peace here.

Pumikit ako nang may biglang tumutusok tusok sa balikat ko.

"Te, hello? Mukha ka namang estatwa ng UP. Okay ka lang?"

Lumingon ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses saka ko pinagtaasan ng kilay.

Sino naman tong kumag na 'to?

"I'm Andrew nga pala," sabay lahad ng kaniyang kamay. He's offering a handshake but I didn't take it. Iniwan ko sya at nagsimulang maglakad papasok ng building.

"Hey!" Paghahabol niya. "Pasensya ka na, bago lang kasi ako rito. Baka pwedeng paturo naman ako sayo ng way," pakiusap nya.

"I'm also new here."

"Oh. Anong first class mo ba?"

"English Lit. Room 303."

"Wow. Sinuswerte nga naman oh! Pareho tayo, classmate tayo!" Sabay taas ng kaniyang kamay. Tumingin ako sa kaniya. Masasalamin din sakaniya ang pagtataka. "High five?" sabi niya.

Anong high five?

"Aah. Okay." Sabay baba ng kaniyang kamay. "Sang bansa ba galing 'to di alam ang high five?" bulong niya sa sarili niya.

I sighed, "I can hear you. And I came from Netherlands by the way."

Nasa Room 303 na kami. I knocked three times at the door.

"Yes, come in."

Binuksan ko ang pintuan at bumantad sakin ang sari saring mukha ng mga magiging kaklase ko. For a short time.

"Oh there they are," masayang salubong samin ng guro habang kami ay naglalakad papasok sa harap ng silid.

"We were just talking about you two," dagdag niya. "Come here and introduce yourselves to the class."

Andrew came and volunteered himself first. "Good morning everyone, I'm Andrew Dela Cuesta. Please be good to me."

Everyone smiled at him. Our teacher instructed him to sit in a vacant seat in the first row.

I came forward and tried to give a smile. "Hey, I'm Andrea. Nice to meet y'all." Somebody at the back whistled. Disgusting!

I scanned the room looking for a vacant seat and my eyes landed on a couple of seat at the back near the window. I carried myself and sat nearer the window. Everybody looked at me like I've done a very big mistake. Ano bang mali?

The teacher started writing at the board kaya nawala na rin sakin ang atensyon. I sat comfortably in my chair at nagsimula na rin akong magsulat.

"That's my seat." May lumapit sakin.

Pinagtaasan ko ng kilay. Ang taray, kitang may vacant seat pa naman sa tabi ko.

Instead of answering, I tapped the seat beside me with my ballpen.

"Ehem. In case you're deaf, I said that's my chair." Mas malakas na ang boses. Mas mariin.

In fairness, mataray nga. Sayang, gwapo pa naman.

"In case you're blind, I'm already sitting here. Can't you just sit there?" Sabay turo ng upuan sa tabi ko. "And stop making a scene over a measly chair."

"Aba. Inuutusan mo pa ako ngayon?" Malakas na tanong nya.

Pinagtitinginan na kami ng mga estudyante ngayon. God. I went here to be away from attention and yet here I am attracting attention in my first day!

Pero nakakainis din 'tong mga ganitong klaseng tao. Masyadong entitled.

"Obviously, I just asked you to sit there because clearly I'm already sitting here." Gets mo?

"Di mo ba 'ko kilala?" Nakapamaywang na saad niya. Halatang naiinis na at nagtitimping magalit.

"I do not know you, but I can say you're a jerk." Hindi ko alam pati rin pala dito sa Pilipinas maraming entitled. Porke mayaman, aariin na lahat. Fyi, mayaman din naman ako ah!

Tumingin ako sa paligid and they are whispering. Minataan ko ang guro at humihingi ng saklolo subalit pati siya ay walang kibo. Sa halip ay pinipilit na lamang niyang paupuin ang mga estudyanteng nagsitayuan na upang masaksihan ang mga nangyayari.

"You -- you just called me jerk?!" pagsisigaw niya.

I'm confused, "So?"

Napakabilis ng pangyayari at nakita ko na lamang ang aking sariling hinahatak palabas ng silid.

What the hell is happening?!