Sevilla's Home

Chapter 1

Homer's Prank

"Villaciete, three points for the win!"

My still dreamy thoughts seemed to float on the air when I heard the roar of the students coming from the gymnasium.

I guess, the college of Engineering won again. Wala namang bago. The College of Engineering, being the champion in the basketball game, is already a common scenario since the best players almost belong to them. I wonder if they'd still be the champion next year?

Homer Villaciete, the team captain and one of the best players, will be graduating next year. Baka hindi na ito makakapaglaro dahil siguradong magiging busy na siya kasama ang mga kaibigan nitong pambato rin ng department nila.

I slowly stretched my arms upward while letting out a muffled yawn, not wanting to catch the attention of the student assistants nor the teacher librarian. I wiped the tears forming at the edges of my eyes before finger-combing my now growing bob-cut-hair.

I am tying my short hair with a black rubber band when I saw, from the large arched window of the library, the students happily exiting the gymnasium. Malamang, mga engineering students din sila. Some were sporting disappointed look but most of the students look gay.

Well, that's also a common scenario. Dahil laging champion ang College of Engineering sa basketball ay natural na maraming supporters ang mga ito na galing sa iba pang department. Kahit nga ang mga high school students na kagaya ko ay sa kanila rin bumubuntot tuwing mga ganitong event.

It's already six o'clock according to my watch and the sun is starting to set but I did not bother to stand from my seat to go home yet. Masyadong maraming estudyanteng palabas pa at ayaw ko namang makipagbalyahan sa mga ito dahil masyado pang masakit ang katawan ko sa bugbog na natamo ko noong isang araw. That girl is also a monster, I must say. Now, I needed to wear a sweatshirt despite the warm weather because my bruises are already visible.

It was thirty minutes past six when I finally got up and started walking out of the library. Napangiwi ako nang mapansing wala na pala akong kasama roon. Kanina ay may mga kasama pa akong mga estudyante--they're the smart students who do not seem to care about the event. Masyado yatang napahaba ang pamamahinga ko!

"Hi, I'll get my bag." Nakangiting bati ko sa student assistant na nakayukyok sa counter, she's reading a thick book on her lap. Bakas ang gulat at pagtataka nito ng tapunan niya ako ng tingin.

"K-Kanina ka pa rito? Akala ko wala nang naiwan--anong nangyari sa mukha mo?" Salubong ang kilay nito habang nakaturo sa sariling mukha.

"I overslept...wala 'to, pasa lang." Natatawang sabi ko sabay turo sa sulok kung saan ako nanggaling bago kinapa ang aking panga, thinking that she's referring to the bruise I have on that part of my face.

Tumitig pa muna ito sa mukha ko at halos magsalubong ang mga kilay bago sinundan ng tingin ang pwestong tinuro ko.

It is the farthest corner na hindi masyadong nadadaanan at napupuntahan ng mga estudyante since the books there are old. Doon ang paborito kong pwesto dahil walang gumagambala sa akin tuwing natutulog ako.

Yes, I always spend my vacant time in the library not because I am one of the smart students of St. Gabriel University but because it is the only place where I can sleep comfortably, air-conditioned kasi. It is my favorite part of the University aside from the taekwondo club.

"Mabuti at nagising ka na, maaga kaming magsasara ngayon." Anito bago tumayo at dinampot ang nag-iisang bag na nasa shelf sa likuran niya saka inabot sa akin. She also got my library card at ibinalik sa akin. "Congrats... "

"Thanks. Ingat." I said in a friendly tone. Tipid na tango at alanganing ngiti lang ang isinagot nito sa akin bago ako tuluyang lumabas sa library. I ignored how her gaze followed me until I reached the door.