Melpomene

[8] Beware The Ides Of March (Part 2)

ROSE DE GUZMAN
[8]

"I still can't believe that Ma'am Diana paired you with God," Damian said to me. Today, we're having a lunch at the cafeteria with Laurel. Ngayon lang kasi nag-match ang vacant periods namin kasi hindi sumipot si Miss Lacson.

Damian decided to eat a rice meal, tapsilog, while Laurel bought some salad. Hindi pa naman ako masyadong gutom kaya bumili lang ako ng sandwich sa cafeteria.

"Hindi rin ako makapaniwala na close sila ni God," dagdag ni Laurel habang kumakain ng Caesar's salad niya. "I still don't trust him, Rose. Uhmm... scratch that. I don't trust Del Valle's."

"Laurel, I'll be fine. Ilang beses ko bang kailangan sabihin na hindi katulad ni Goddess si God," I replied, taking a bite from my sandwich. Hindi ko talaga maintindihan bakit laging may duda si Laurel kay God. He's far from different than her sister.

"I won't be like this if I don't know how big is at stake with your performance. Aaminin ko, at first, parang na-excite ako kasi feeling ko ipapahiya ni God ang sarili niya. Pero Rose, need I remind you that you're also going to do your Harmony assignment in the Talent Show," diin niya. Inubos niya muna ang kinakain niya bago nagpatuloy.

"If I know better, the Del Valle's will use this chance to ruin you again. Especially, that the Harmony assignment is video-ed," Laurel said. To which I replied, "I think you're overreacting. Goddess isn't in campus anymore."

Tinuro niya ako gamit ang hawak niyang tinidor at sinabi, "Which is a perfect plan! Wala nga siya rito sa Melpomene pero andito pa rin sina Belle at Regina. I bet they have a plan to ruin you at magagawa lang nila 'yon kapag naging partner kayo ni God."

"Ma'am Diana paired us! It's just a coincidence!" I countered. Laurel folded her arms and said, "How sure are you? Maybe he intentionally hit you with a ball para lang mag-sabay kayong pumasok sa Special Talents, knowing that Ma'am Diana would pair you up."

I sighed in defeat. Tumingin ako kay Damian sa tabi ko at sinabi, "Damian, help please?"

"I actually agree with Laurel," sagot ni Damian habang tinaas ang kamay niya na parang sumusuko. "Ang weird lang kasi na naging mabait bigla si God sa'yo. I mean, it took Zuko 3 seasons for his character redemption."

"I'll be fine, okay? Naiintindihan ko kung bakit kayo concerned pero God is harmless," sabi ko sa kanila. "True, medyo mabilis nga ang pagiging mabait niya sa akin pero kasi we settled it through a conversation."

If you just understand where he's coming from, you won't think that he's capable of hurting me, intentionally. I thought to myself. But I respect him and it's not my story to tell.

"I'll buy some milktea muna. Do you guys want some?" Damian said, standing up and carrying his empty plate. Umiling kami ni Laurel at umalis na si Damian para bumili ng milktea.