Getting Away with Gluttony

Kabanata 19

"Finally, we're done!" Josh, our group leader declared as we wrapped up for our things scattered at the table.

I'm in my fourth year. Nagsisimula pa lang ang semester na ito pero ang mga requirements namin, patayan. Jusko! Nasa library kami para tapusin ang presentation namin for the business proposal na ihaharap namin sa panel kinabukasan.

"Gutom na ako." Saad ko habang isinisilid ang laptop sa briefcase.

"Oh. That's new, huh." Sarkastikong komento ni Megan. "Kailan ka hindi nagutom?"

I rolled my eyes and went to her. "Tabi, baka makain kita!" gesturing my one hand like a tiger's claw and clenching my teeth.

Tinawanan lang niya ako at tinapik ang pwet ko.
"Sana all, may pwet." Isa siya sa mga naiinggit sa parte ng katawan kong iyon.

"May pwet ka naman."
Nagsimula na kaming maglakad palabas ng library.

"Flat nga lang."
Pang-aasar ko sa kanya na tinawanan ng lahat.

"Ikaw na ang pinagpala." Naghands up pa siya to prove a point. "Pero wala pa ring jowa." Bawi nito.

"Di bale ng walang jowa. Kaysa naman sa may jowa na hindi mo naman nakakasama."
Ganti ni Lovely para sa akin. LDR kasi siya with her boyfriend for 3 years. Tatag din eh.

Nagtawanan ang mga kagrupo ko. Pagkalabas, dumiretso kami sa parking lot malapit sa Gate 2 at doon naghiwa-hiwalay.

I checked my phone to text our driver but my attention was directed to the notification on my screen. Thursday. Full moon.

It's been two months since the last time I saw him. He already unblocked me and he is replying to my messages than usual. Not that I text him all the time. Kapag lang magre-remind ako sa kanya for safety precautions. I only sent him reminders about what to avoid. But this month, I almost forgot about it.

Una, walang nangyaring masama kay Saul sa loob ng dalawang buwan. Pangalawa, Saul assured me that he's doing the precautions. At pangatlo, I got busy this semester, lalo pa at binibigyan na ako nina mama at papa ng maliit na paper works tungkol sa business namin para daw masanay na ako. My family's company provides manpower resources.

Minsan pa naman iniisip kong magshift ng course pero nasasayangan ako sa panahon at effort na naibigay ko na. So, paninindigan ko ito hangga't di ko pa naiisip kung ano ba talaga ang gusto kong gawin.

I don't have plans on running our family business but I've already asked CJ, my cousin, to manage when the time comes. Willing naman siyang umuwi sa Pilipinas kung sakali.

It's already 8:00 in the evening. I sent Saul a message while I'm slowly walking.

I missed-
Binura ko iyon at muling nagtipa ng message. Keep safe. Please...

Yeah. Aaminin ko, namimiss ko. Miss ka ba?
Tanong ng isang bahagi ng isip ko na ipinagsawalang-kibo lang.
For sure, he's still in his office doing his usual work.

I am scrolling some of his stolen shots on my gallery. Siyempre, kung di pwedeng abutin, magtyaga sa tanawin. I was walking past the admin building when I overheard a group of students gossiping.