Misfit

XXIII

Sobrang busy sa school ngayon because school fest is starting next week. Literally everywhere is bursting from different colours. Kakatapos lang ng periodic exams namin. That's why literally everyone is focusing on this event.

Our school tends to over do it pero maganda pa din kinakalabasan. Tita likes this types of events kaya pati buong school nadadamay.

Everyone was working on finishing our class booth. Ako lang hindi masyadong tumutulong kasi ako lagi pinapabili ng mga kung ano-anong kailangan nila. Hindi na din ako nagreklamo kasi busy ako work. Hindi din nila ako mapilit kasi ayaw din naman ng karamihan ang gumastos. Ang kukuripot naman ng mga tao sa school na 'to kahit puro mayayaman nag-aaral.

Since Marriage Booth ang na-finalize nila. Puting-puti ang room. There's even a wooden post sa harap at tinalian ng white lace garment, flowers and fairy lights. It's actually aesthetic pero para sa'kin medyo nakakasuka. It's too bright for my taste.

I was on my laptop when Theo approached me. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"Kumain ka na ba? It's already lunch, kanina ka pa nakatutok sa laptop mo." Huh? It's lunch already?

Binigyan niya ako ng paper bag.

"Bumili ako sa canteen. I can't go out because sobrang daming ginagawa."

"Thanks. Ikaw, kumain ka na?" Tanong ko habang binubuksan 'yong food container.

"Yes. Babalik na kami sa pagawa after lunch. Malapit naman na matapos. 'Yong final designs nalang." He said.

I was quietly eating while he was cutting out stuff from coloured paper.

Maya-maya pa nagsibalikan na sila at nagpatuloy sa ginagawa.

I sighed. I was done checking reports and emails. Pupunta ako mamaya sa office para magtapos ng work for next week. I want to be free next week for school fest and ready myself sa drag race.

Nagpaalam ako kay Theo na maglalakad-lakad sa buong campus. Baka makarating ako sa dulong field ng school.

There's actually a place there where you can chill pero walang nakakaalam no'n since I requested it personally kay Tita. It was my timeout session room. She agreed when I proposed it since I was the one providing for its expenses.

"Samahan na kita?" Ibaba niya na sana 'yong gunting na hawak niya nang umiling ako.

"I'm fine. Maglalakad lang ako. Babalik din ako agad." I smiled at umalis na.

I purposely left my phone in my bag sa classroom para hindi ako matempt tumingin ng kung ano-ano habang nando'n.

Para siyang maliit na bahay na natatakpan ng mga puno sa sulok ng school. It was too far away for people to even notice that it's there. I pressed something on the small key for it to open.

Pumasok ako sa loob at tahimik na umupo sa recliner sofas.

It was a small space with glass walls and wooden floors. I decided to have it glassed because of the trees surrounding it. There's also a small kitchen with it pero ang nakalagay do'n ay coffee maker, kettle and microwave.

May naka-assign din na taga-linis dito. I was quietly staring at the trees. I wonder what will happen during school fest?

The uncertainty of my life is something I'm always afraid of. Not people, nor consequences of my choices.

Thinking years from now, the question that lingers inside my head is, 'will I be alive by then?'

I was questioning everything because the last time I didn't I lost someone important. The only thing that's keeping me alive.