Illicit

Prologue

Francisco dragged his feet across the walkway, his whole being feeling heavy.

His first year in college is about to end at dapat ay ginhawa na ang nararamdaman niya sa mga oras na ito dahil kakatapos lang nila ng finals kahapon, but it seems like the week of all nighters and constant pressure drained the life out of him. He wasn't even left with energy to celebrate the semester ending.

He knows exactly why he's doing this and he fucking regrets it. Kasalanan naman nga niya. Curse him and his unfiltered mouth—sana ay nasa dorm siya ngayon gumagayak para sa inuman nilang magbarkada, but instead here they are, whinging their way to BGPOP. Kanina pa nagrereklamo si Matmat na kung bakit sa dinamidami nila sa klase ay sila ang napili para sa event na ito.

"Putangina kasi ni Frankie, eh!" Reklamo nito. "Kung hindi mo inaway si tandang Santos, edi sana dorm na tayo ngayon gumagayak papuntang Makati." Kiko only rolled his eyes, kung hindi suhol si Matmat ay sana hindi niya na nasagot si Mr. Santos.

"Gago mo din," dagdag ni Laila. "May pacheer-cheer ka pang nalalaman." Irish laughed beside them.

"Oh, ano, Irish? Tawa lang ambag mo diyan?" Tanong ni Matmat sa kaibigan na siyang dahilan kung bakit siya hinigit ni Kiko sa leeg para mapalapit sa'kanya.

"Ang ingay mo, alam mo 'yon?" Matmat laughed as Frankie continued to mess up his hair.

Their university is holding a week long event to celebrate the year ending, but instead of feeling refreshed and happy, parang gusto na lang sakalin ni Frankie ang kung sino mang nakaisip that this was a good idea. It wasn't. Who would want to stay another week in school, knowing that they didn't really have to anymore? Bring forth anyone that was happy celebrating this, kakausapin lang ni Frankie.

They were on their way to a mini debate event sa loob ng BGPOP. Sa pagkakaalam niya ay may mga kalaban sila galing ibang department. It wasn't really a formal event, as far as he knows they're just going to hold it in one of the small halls with some org student officials as the panelists. There would just be one teacher present to officiate the whole thing.

Sabi ng tandang Santos, sa talas daw ng tabas ng bibig ni Francisco, baka siya ang maging dahilan kung bakit mananalo ang department nila sa event. He can bring his friends, the old professor told him, tutal magaling naman daw ang mga ito na manggatong sa'kanya. He rolled his eyes, he hopes he never has to cross paths with him again.

"Babagsak ba tayo ni Santos pag hindi tayo tumuloy?" Matmat asked as they reached the building, nakasimangot pa din. Frankie felt sorry for dragging his friends to his mess, but he felt thankful that none of them really bailed on him.

"Malapit ka na ngang bumagsak sa'kanya, kailangan mo 'to pangbawi sa recitation mo," Irish told Matmat. The latter just rolled his eyes, hindi na nagreklamo dahil alam niyang totoo ang sinabi ng kaibigan.

"Frankie's actually the one that doesn't really need this. Perfect niya prelims kay Santos eh, tapos flying colours lahat ng quizzes." Laila said, looking back at Matmat and Frankie. Nauuna silang maglakad ni Irish.

"Bilib ka na naman kay Kie!" Matmat grinned at her. Mas lalong pang nang-asar si Matmat nang umirap si Laila. "Iba talaga kamandag mo, ser." Harot niya sa kaibigan na unti-unting lumuluwag ang pagkaka-akbay sa'kanya. Frankie laughed along with Matmat.

"Limot limot din pag may—" Hindi na natapos ni Laila ang pagsasalita dahil biglaang may tumakbo sa gilid niya na halos ikadapa ng dalaga.

"Hoy!" Hiyaw agad ni Frankie, his hand already holding Laila's elbow supporting her. Bastos!

"Tangina, ano 'yon?" Matmat spat, may inis sa boses. He stood closer to his friends, his whole demeanour protective now.

"Sorry!" Sigaw ng lalaki habang tumatakbo pa din, may isa pang kasama. The two boys cut in line for the elevator para makahabol sa kasamahan nilang naghihintay na doon sa pila. The boy waiting in line looked at them sternly, parang Tatay na nagagalit sa mga anak niya.