Above Heavens

Ninth Glitch

V A U G H N

"That’s enough.” I handed the vernier caliper to Rai. Kanina pa siya gigil na gigil sa ginagawa niyang paglalagari sa bakal. Baka maubos pa 'yon at tuluyang wala siyang maipasa.

We’re here at the campus machine workshop area. It’s almost 5:00 PM, meaning our class will be dismissed a few minutes from now. Medyo maingay dahil sa dulong bahagi ay may ibang klase na nagwe-welding. Rai's measuring now the iron using the vernier caliper.

“Shit sakto!” Napapalakpak pa si Rai sa tuwa.

Nauna akong natapos sa kanya. I can guarantee that my measurements were exact. It’s not that easy though. If the measurements are not accurate, may minus ten kaagad. Evil.

“Let’s go. Pa-check na natin.” Pag-aaya ko. Sakto namang dumaan ang prof namin sa gilid namin. Magkatabi naman ang pwesto namin ni Rai.

“Sino pang tapos diyan?" Our young male professor asmed.

Rai and I raised a hand. He’s now facing us. Ngumiti pa ito na parang napapa-wow. Palibhasa ay bata pa. Brusko rin ang pangangatawan. It looks like he’s spending too much time in the gym.

“Luis kayo ni Reyes? Aba.” Nangingiti niyang siniyasat ang mga gawa namin at sinukat din ito.

“Sir, may minus po?” Rai’s really a brave soul.

“Wow, very good. You guys did well.”

Napa-'yes' pa si Rai. He offered me a high-five but I ignored it. I lost most of my energy today. Simula pa kaninang makita ko si Dad.

“Ano tol uwi ka na? Kain muna tayo kakapagod eh.”

Nakalabas na kami ngayon sa machine area. My three roommates' class every Monday is until 7:30 PM. They were classmates. Kaya hindi na nagluluto sa dorm ng hapunan kapag ganito. Masyadong late at ako lang ang kikilos. Ang swerte naman pala nila.

“Where?” I want to eat too. I’m already drain. Ang init sa loob ng machine area. And probably I'll buy some take out food in case hunger will visit me again.

“Do’n sa tapsilugan sa may tabi ng dialysis center.” Tumuro pa siya sa malayo.

I’m not familiar. I let Rai lead the way. Malayo-layo raw dito sa university. We rode the trike.
Tipikal na karinderya ang bihis nito. Marami ring tao, karamihan ay estudyante. They are too loud.

We both ordered tapsilog. It’s their bestseller. Tapsilugan nga eh.

“Ano masarap ba?” Rai is enjoying every bit.

“Yeah. Pero mas masarap 'pag libre mo.”

He laughed even if I’m not joking. I can't completely say that he’s my friend. We’re classmates since first year. He approached me first. Siya lang naman din ang kausap ko sa room. Of course, casual talks are necessary to my other classmates. I mean, siya lagi ang kasama ko. He consider me as a friend but the feeling is not mutual.

“Brad kamukha mo!” Bulalas ng kasama ko kaua napatigil ako sa pag-inom. I moved my eyes on the direction he pointed using his index finger.

“Ayon oh! Sa mga nagtitinda ng buko!”

Pilit kong hinanap ang sinasabi niya.

“Ayan tuloy wala na! Ang bagal mo eh tol!" Napailing pa siya sa pagka-dismaya.

I sighed, thinking if it was him. Hinanda ko na ang sarili ko. One of these days, I know I will meet him.

Nag-take out ako ng apat. The other one is for me. I informed my roommates if they want to order too. Nag-reply naman kaagad 'yong isa. Pabor sa kanila para pag-uwi kakain na lang at 'di na pupunta sa kung saan.