Hazel's Sweet Revenge

Kabanata 12

*** Hazel's ***

Like my Mother always said, "Take full advantage of freedom and live life to its full potential."

At an early age, I was already exposed to the cruel reality of an unjust world. My bedtime stories, aside from Jane Austen's and Bronte's works, were Anne Frank's Diary,  and stories about underprivileged people written in history books.

My father was a UN volunteer when I was sixteen, and he once took me along. I was happy that he did since it was a remarkable year.

I got to know some of the Syrian refugees; I interacted with them, offered them some small acts of assistance, and they gave me the chance to see the world from their point of view. I had acquired enough information and experience to affirm that inequity exists in all aspects of life.

This is a compliment to how my parents raised me. They didn't just open my eyes to the reality of it all; they also broadened my mind to look far beyond and to seek inspiration from the people I met.

How will I now use all I've learned to improve the circumstance I'm in right now? particularly under the societal pressure of a morally polarized society.

"I don't know... But what I do know is that we must talk constantly about our feelings starting today... to figure out what this is. That's the least we can do, for now."

That was Sab's stand for this.

It was a good thing that we had talked about this as urgently as the feelings crept into our system.

I was the one inclined to ask questions because it is a bit bizarre to experience firsthand. It's too early to name what it is, but I don't want to be sluggish and doubtful.

I knew how I felt. That's what I'm sure of. But I'm not sure to what extent these feelings for Sab might take me.

Nagkataon pa na magka-partner kami sa isang project. It just adds another reason why we have to see each other more often.

"I feel like this pairing will suck up all the energy I have," Celine exclaimed.

"What's wrong?" I asked even without looking at her. I was busy writing notes about the possible topics that Sab and I might engage in for our project. Sana lang magkasundo kami.

"We attended the party and fudge it was intense. Naubos namin ang isang bote ng Jim Beam. May usapan pa kami ni Edmerson na magco-conceptualize kami after the drinking session pero walang nangyari, nauwi sa series of dares and card games again."

"Psssh quiet please." Pagsita sa amin ng Librarian sa oras na dumaan ito sa may table namin.

Doon lang ako napaangat ng tingin sa kaibigan.

"Pwede niyo namang gawin ngayon ni Ed. Where is he by the way?" I said in a low tone as I look around, not only for Ed but also for his friend.

Napansin ko ang pag-irap niya. "As if naman tutulong 'yon. Sinamahan niya si Sab sa department nina Hilary. Nakuhanan kasi ng video ang mag-syota habang naglalampungan sa party."