aim for the stars

3

Ilang araw na ang nakalipas simula nang nagsimulang dumikit da akin si Arion. He still hasn't given up after 2 weeks. Magkasama lagi kaming pumunta sa school at umuwi. We really don't know much about each other, because when he asks me, I only answer briefly and I don't really wanna ask him questions.

Nagsimula na ang klase at marami nang nakatambak na mga projects at group works. Nagawa ko na ang mga assignments ko, pero hindi pa nasimulan ang mga by group.

"Sha, diba magka-grupo tayo sa English?" Tanong ni Arion. We were currently having lunch.

"Oo, bakit?"

"Gagawin daw natin bukas yung report. Magkikita sa mall, 9 AM, sabi nung leader natin." He said.

"Saan natin gagawin?"

"Ewan, sa bahay din siguro nila." He answered.

Time passed that day normally, we had our classes and went home. I did my usual routine at night, slept and woke up at seven.

Bumangon na ako at naligo. Pagkatapos 'non ay nagpalit na ako ng damit. I just wore simple mom jeans, tucked in a black graphic tee and put on classic Vans shoes. I also brought a black baseball cap and a small backpack.

I heard the messenger ring tone from my phone. It was probably Arion. I opened it and it was indeed him.

Arion: im outside ur house
Arion: bilis, ang kupad naman
Arion: jok lang hehe

Bumaba na ako at kumain ng agahan.
Bahala siyang maghintay. Binagalan ko ang pagkain dahil maaga pa naman. Male-late din naman yung iba dumating, imbes na nine, alas dose dumadating.

Pagkatapos kong kumain ay lumabas na ako sa bahay. I locked the gate and saw Arion leaning on the wall the gate. He wore ripped jeans and a black shirt. He looked great in casual clothes. I was so used to seeing him wear a uniform, this was a new sight. Did he know that I would also wear this?

"Sha! Sa wakas natapos ka na rin, ang tagal mo! Kanina pa'ko dito!" Reklamo niya sakin.

"Sinabi ko bang maghintay ka?"

He pouted and scoffed. Pa-cute. He paused for a second then looked at me from head to toe.

"Luh, parehas tayo ng damit, maybe tayo talaga dapat." He said, though I didn't hear the last part cause he lowered his voice.

I didn't bother asking him what he said. It was already 7:50, we still had to commute to reach the mall.

"Tara na. Male-late na tayo." I told him, even though I knew we weren't actually gonna be late. Our other group mates would probably come later than us.

We started walking to the jeepney bay, he was talking and I gave occasional answers. We arrived and got on the jeep.

"Sha, why do you like to commute? Nakita ko kanina may sasakyan naman kayo." He asked. Chismoso naman nito.

"I liked the experience."

"Anong experience? Ang sikip tapos ang init pa! Hay, sorry I sound privelaged, but mag-iingat ka din dapat, madaming manyak ngayon. Wag ka masyadong magpagabi, baka delikado." Sabi niya.

"I'll be fine. I can defend myself."

After that I didn't talk anymore. He still kept talking though, reminding me to call him if I come home late at night and telling me to always be alert.

Nang makarating kami ay apat pa lang kaming nandoon. Anim pa ang hihintayin. Sabi ko na eh. Hay.

"Tayo pa lang ba ang nandito?" Tanong ni Arion sa Leader namin.
Her name was Genevieve. She was really nice, also really pretty.