Thy Charm, Adler

Chapter 1

AEMI

Every minute that passes is like a hell to me. Waiting isn't really my cup of tea. Bakit ba kasi ako nasangkot sa ganitong sitwasyon?

Ang tunog ng aking school sandals na kanina ko pa tinatapik sa sahig ay naririnig sa buong store na ito. Tanging ang cashier lang ang naririto para asikasuhin ang store. Ngunit dahil nga sa masyado pang maaga, wala pa gaanong mga estudyante ang tumatambay dito. Nakikisabay rin ang tunog ng orasan kada lumilipas ang bawat segundo. At mas lalo akong nainis sa bawat minuto na nasasayang.

Tick tock. Tick tock.

I heard the bell ringed, a sign that someone opened the door. For a moment, a group of students filled the place with laughter. Their voices echoed each corner of the store, which made me irritated.

"Aemi!"

"Guys, ayan na si Aemi oh!"

"Hay nako, napaka-aga as always."

"Akala ko malalate siya kahit saglit lang."

"Ssh! Ingay niyo! Bwisit na sa'tin 'yan."

Naglakad sila patungo sa table kung saan man ako naroon. I remained calm, maintaining the poker bitch face that my classmates feared sometimes. Kaya walang kumakausap sa'kin eh, lol.

Their happy faces turned into serious ones, na para bang pinagkaitan ko sila ng pagkakataon para sumaya.

I adjusted the sleeve of my sweater and checked the time, "3 minutes late." I calmly said. But as I counted my group members, there is someone missing.

"Late si Gia." Angelo spoke.

C'mon, what's new? She's always late anyway.

I don't know what about me makes them follow my commands and most of the time, when it comes to school activities or projects, they will always make me their leader.

Nakaupo na silang anim at nakapalibot sila sa'kin since circular tables ang naririto sa store.

"Since nandito na kayo, aside Gia, I will discuss the plans for our reporting tomorrow at Sir De Villa's class. I know it seemed to early to discuss about this, but since you choose as me your leader, I will do as I please. Am I making myself clear?"

"Yes po." They synchronizedly answered and some of them giggled. I can see by their faces that they're amazed, once again.

Binalewala ko na lang ang reactions nila at kinuha ang notepad ko nasa school bag, kung saan nakalagay ang mga reports, quizzes, activities at iba pa na related sa school namin.

"Grabe naman Aemi, napaka-organize mo talaga sa gamit mo. Sana all." Joy said, one of my groupmates.

"Sa sobrang organized, wala na siyang thrill sa buhay." Mark joked about my 'organized attitude' at may pahampas pa siya sa mesa habang tumatawa.

Tinignan ko na lang siya ng masama at binalewala ang pang-aasar niya sa'kin.

The bell ringed again, and by basing by those footsteps that seems in a hurry, I know whom those feet belongs to.

"Excuse me."

Nakayuko pa siya at pinatabi ang groupmate kong prenteng nakaupo para lang tumabi sa'kin. Halatang kakaligo niya lang dahil basa pa ang buhok niya at hindi niya pa 'yon nasusuklayan.

"Aga mo Gia, ah." Pang-aasar ni Mark.

"Ulol, sa'ting dalawa ikaw Top 1 sa pagkalate no!" Gia hissed.