Ventures of the Sly Cat

02: Pag-aalala

ISLANNA

Stranded sa pagde-decide kung saan ko talagang gusto pumunta, I found myself entering the Eastern Margaritaria Library. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pumasok sa aking isip kung ba't pa ako bumalik sa school kahit nag-cutting na ako. But I know a one thing. This is where my heart beats.

Malawak ang main Library ng Eastern Margaritaria. Sa first floor, doon makikita ang mga iba't ibang klaseng libro na accessible for everyone. May mga tables sa may gilid and may portion doon kung saan for elementary only, na ngayon ay sarado na gawa hanggang alas tres lang ang mga bata. Walang katao tao ngayon dito, pero rinig mula sa aking kinatatayuan ang mga bulungang tila ba tunog ng bubuyog lumalagpas sa aking tenga.

Tumama sa noo ko ang malamig na hangin mula sa aircon kaya natauhan ako at kaagad kong inilagay ang aking bag sa may bag counter na nasa bandang exit ng library. Maingat ko itong pinasok sa loob ng isang shelf, and soon I find it convincingly safe, I unzipped the bag and picked my laptop and headset, before proceeding into the librarian's counter, to get a stay slip.

"Good afternoon po Ma'am," I greeted. Ma'am Laxamana, the assistant librarian, turned to me. My eyes glistened in amusement as I witnessed how superb her skill is in typing while not looking at the monitor. "Are you here to borrow some books, or to get a stay slip?"

"The latter po," sagot ko. Itinigil niya ang ginagawa and slid her swivel chair papunta sa gilid. She then picked a stay slip na agad ibinigay sa counter.

"Just write the date, time you enter, vice-versa, and your student number," aniya, at pinagpatuloy ang kanyang ginagawa.

I simply nodded, at sinimulang fill-up-an ang slip.

When I finished the entrance side, nagpaalam ako kay Ma'am Laxamana. She waved at me as acknowledgement para mapa-smile ako ng lowkey at tahimik na umakyat. Usap-usapan among the senior and juniors, na kapag alas-tres na ng hapon ay marami raw mga college students ang nag-aaral dito.

Kaya, kapag gumawa ka ng ingay, gugustuhin mo daw ilibing ng buhay. Dahil on the spot ay papatayin ka nila ng tingin na mapang-kutya.

Speaking of rumors... As soon I reached the second level of the library, nanlaki ang aking mga mata sa aking nadatnan.

"Miss, anong ginagawa mo dito?" Muntik na akong magmura when someone pulled the hem of my jacket. Luckily, I covered my mouth in time. "Mayroong ongoing na thesis research ginagawa ang mga taga Western Collette. Kaya bawal kang mag-stay dito."

Dahan dahan kong nilingon ang taong humigit sa akin jacket when a guy, wearing a macaroon dashed polo shirt, partnered with black slacks welcomed my gaze. A hint of familiarity rose in his face as soon our eyes met, "Wait anong gina~" he didn't finish his sentence when the Senior High's Council President, Aleks appeared out of nowhere. Aleks seemed unaware of my presence when he approached the guy who I hated the most.

Why of all places, dito ko pa siya makikita?

"Malapit na ba kayo matapos?" tanong niya na huminto sa aking tabi. Tiim bagang akong tumingin sa aking katabi na ngumiti, "Akala ko exclusive sa Colletean ang floor na ito?" he arrogantly asked before meeting my blank gaze. I shook my head and sighed, before I showed them my newly signed stay slip, "Do not worry, pres. I have a stay slip and I do not intend to bring whatever distractions that I could do," I assured, with a sarcastic smile

Heck, bumalik ako sa school para mag-advance study for the next week's exam. Pero sa sitwasyong hinarang ako ng dalawang student president, si Kuya Aleks, at Kuya Theo... Sobrang kamalasan naman ang sinalo mo ngayon, Islanna.

"Sorry, if it sounds rude. Please. Immediately go to the third floor," Kuya Aleks broke the tension as he gave way. But what relieves me most is when Kuya Theo departs from the scene. Having him around would bring a real disturbance, especially since he and I still have things to sort out.