If I have Nothing (Absinthe Series 5)

Kabanata 14

Kabanata 14

If I Have Nothing

No one knew about my engagement to Rhett except my family. I talked with the Vasilievs too, them apologizing for locking me up in this kind of set up. The engagement doesn't really change anything, it's just that knowing Rhett's my fiance, just changes something between us.

I know he wasn't comfortable too. Kahit pa man noon hindi na kami komportable sa isa't isa, and now with this engagement, we have to be civil with each other. At least for the preparation of our wedding.

"Syd, ikaw na lang mamaya ang magreport sa Chem!" my classmate approached me carrying his laptop. Nakita ko doon ang ginawa nilang presentation para sa group report namin sa Chemistry.

"Yeah, sure." I drawled lazily. I kept browsing on my phone about premed courses in college. Nawala na sa aking isipan na kumuha ng nursing considering that a lot of students had been taking it.

I ended up with two choices, either taking Medical Technology or Forensic Science, pero walang inooffer ang UDM na ganoong mga course, but they seem interesting.

Nang matapos ako sa ginagawa ay hiniram ko ang laptop ng kaklase ko para matingnan ang ginawa nilang presentation. I made some points for my report and then went back to reviewing it.

Walang masyadong ginawa sa school, it may seem weird but I find it boring now. Parang paulit-ulit na lang ang routine at wala akong makitang bago. I liked the experiments in Chemistry but I want to experience more from that field. Ang sabi ay mas maraming kaganapan kapag nasa Grade 12 na kaya hindi ako makapaghintay.

Nang lumabas ako sa aming classroom matapos magpaalam kay Marriam ay nakita ko si Rhett at nakatambay malapit sa railing.  Dala niya ang kaniyang guitar case at drawing tube para sa mga blueprint at written plates.

Natigilan ako saglit at kumunot ang noo. Hindi naman siya palaging nagagawi dito, unless he's with my brother.

Lumapit ako sa kaniya. When he noticed my approaching figure, he straightened up. Mas lalo niyang inayos ang strap ng case sa kaniyang balikat.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. Nakita ko ang iilang pagsulyap sa amin ng ibang estudyante sa kabilang room. He's popular, alright. Dagdagan pa na hindi naman normal na makakita ng katulad niya sa aming department. College guys always steer clear away from the senior high school areas. They always meet up with their lovers outside of school. Doon sila nagkalat.

"You didn't read my messages?" aniya at sinulyapan ang aking bulsa. I immediately got my phone from my pocket and checked for it. Nakita kong may unknown number doon na ilang text ang nagawang iimbak sa aking inbox.

"I was in class," I explained, "Hindi rin ako nagbabasa ng text kapag nasa klase. Is this your number?" Ipinakita ko sa kaniya ang number na nakuha ko.

Lumapit siya nang bahagya at tiningnan iyon. His brow then arched before nodding. My lips protruded a bit before I clicked on the add to contact button. I typed his name before I saved his number.

"Mom told me to fetch you. We'll have dinner at the house." Napatingin agad ako sa kaniyang nang sabihin niya iyon.

"Really?" I asked. Kung ganoon naman pala ay pwede naman akong icontact ni Tita Aleah.

"Is this about our set up?" bulong ko dahil may biglang dumaan sa gilid namin.

"Yes." Inilahad niya sa akin ang itim na drawing tube. Tiningnan ko lamang iyon bago ibinalik sa kaniya ang tingin. "What am I gonna do with that?"

"Hold it for me, or do you want to carry my guitar?"

I shrugged. Kinuha ko ang drawing tube. Nauna na siyang maglakad pababa ng hagdan. May iilang napapatingin sa kaniya habang nasa likuran niya ako at nakasunod.