Closing the Books

C14

R 18+

I don't know what's gotten into me but I just found myself always going to CIU although I don't have anything to do there.

I would just sit at the shed and look at the people passing by. But of course I know who I'm really hoping to see.

Gusto ko lang siya makita talaga. Hindi ko naman siya guguluhin kasi ako naman yung nagtulak sa kanya palayo.

But I just really miss him and I want even just a glimpse of him.

Pero hindi naging mabait sa akin ang tadhana kasi sa ilang araw na pagtambay ko dun ay hindi ko man lang siya nakita.

Siguro nga yun na yung sign

Huminga ako nang malalim at nagdecide na pumunta nalang ng e-lounge. It's been a while since I went there and maybe going there now will help clear my mind. Wala kasi si Alessa ngayon dahil may pinuntahan daw sila ni Alessa, at ayaw ko rin tumambay na sa shed dahil nakakapagod bumati ng mga kakilala kong dumaraan

"Hi" I greeted Reese when I saw her inside, she's not alone though, she's with someone familiar but I can't place where I met him

"Oh you're here. Hi" may sinabi yung kasama niyang lalaki na nagpairita ata sa kanya dahil tinignan niya ito nang masama habang tumawa lang naman yung isa

Nakaupo silang dalawa sa baba ng couch at naglalaro ng chess na ipinatong nila sa center table doon kaya lumapit ako sa kanila para manood, parang ang intense kasi ng laban nila dahil ang seryoso nila pagkapasok ko

"This is Ravi by the way, he's my blockmate. Ravi, this is Leren" Reese introduced us to each other as I sat on the couch.

"Nice meeting you" he, Ravi, warmly greeted me. That was when I remembered where I saw him. Siya pala yung kalaban ni Reese sa isang debate competition last year. Magkaibigan pala talaga sila.

Nagpatuloy sila sa pagchechess at dahil ang tahimik nila maglaro, liban sa paminsan-minsang yabangan sa isa't-isa, mas lalo kong naisip si Aiden.

Why am I missing him so badly?

-

"The student council is also arranging a graduation party for all of those who are graduating" one of my friends said while drinking her martini

Nasa bar kami ngayon para sa going-away party naming mga 'CPA in transit'. Medyo biglaan 'to at kanina ko lang nakita ang invitation habang nasa e-lounge ako. I was reluctant to go since I don't feel like partying but I convinced myself that I deserve this.

"Board exam nalang tapos CPA na tayo!" I shouted while raising my glass. We all cheered and laughed

4 whole years and we're finally going to graduate!

Parang kahapon lang nung umiyak ako kasi akala ko hindi ako ggraduate sa accountancy kasi hindi ako umabot sa cut-off grade tapos nandito na ako ngayon

"Come on, Asher! Bottoms up!" we all cheered when one of our blockmate drank his drink bottoms up.

Nagpalakpakan pa kami at inasar pa ang iba na ganun din ang gawin. Pinagtripan namin ang mga lalaki at pinagbibigyan naman nila kami.

"Saan kayo magrereview?" I drank on my glass before answering her

"I'm still weighing between RESA and CPAR. Baka mag toss coin nalang ako" biro ko sa kanila kasi hindi pa rin talaga ako makadecide.

"Ako sa RESA"

"CPAR"

"RESA"

Nagkanya-kanya na silang sabi nang tanungin ni Alessa si Asher. Isa kasi siya sa pinakamatalino sa batch namin, parehas sila. Crush nga yan dati ni Alessa nung first year kami