SCHNADENFREUDE: Rockstars and Revenge

12- Sweetness Overload

I spent the rest of the weekend serving her needs. Hindi siya mapakali at hawak ng hawak sa tummy niya. I don't want her getting paranoid.

"Kaya pala, kahit ilang beses nating gawin ng walang condom...walang nabubuo."

"Don't say that, baby..." Halik ko sakanya. Our days are silent, we're talking about her condition and from time to time ay nalulungkot siya.

I also call our mansion chef at magpapadala siya ng food supply every other day doon to monitor Sophie's diet program. We're taking this seriously, we need to downsize the cysts in her ovaries para hindi na kailanganin ang magpa opera.

Yinakap ko siya ng mahigpit at hinalikan ng paulit ulit. I have to go now because presentation ko bukas sa panel.

"Nail it for me."

"I'll do everything for you." I kiss her lips. "After my thesis, we'll celebrate. Kunin natin saglit si Boris. Okay?"

"I love you, Freude. So much." Yakap niya sa akin, puta, in times like this ay ayaw kong bumibitaw.

It's my thesis defense today, para idefend ang introduction and methodology ko. We have a lot of subjects this semester pero sa awa naman ni Lord, mataas ang grades ko.

"Valbuena, ikaw na na daw."

Huminga ako ng malalim at pumasok na sa room, there's three professionals inside and one student who will give me critique. Si Katherine iyon and she gives me a wide smile.

"Goodmorning, the name is Duke Schnadenfreude P. Valbuena and I am here to present my introduction and methodolgy." Confident kong sabi. "Shall we begin?"

After thirty minutes, lumabas na ako ng room at inayos ang necktie ko. Hindi naman ako gaanong kinabahan and I see my friends waiting for me.

"Kamusta? Balita?"

"Panalo, pre." Ngiti ko. Thesis title defended! Makulit na ginulo ni Jerick ang buhok ko at pangiti ngiti naman si Seth. They're both waiting for me at pinag pustahan pa nila ata kung papasa ako o hindi!

Kath joins our little group. "Aba, thesis title defended ang tatlo! Celebrate tayo?"

"Let's go, saan niyo ba gusto?" Seth asks and opens the door of his car. Pinatunog ko na rin ang akin at makikisakay na lang sa akin si Jerick.

"Sm Manila tayo!" Kath excitedly opens the passenger seat pero hinarang siya ni Jerick.

"Dito ako, Kath!"

"Saan ako?!" Nagmamaktol niyang sabi.

Seth clears his throat. Makahulugan siyang tumingin sa akin bago kay Katherine. "Kath, dito ka na. Ako nalang samahan mo, huwag ka na diyan."

Kumain lang kami sa The Old Spaghetti House para medyo tipid dahil libre ni Seth. Magkatabi kami ni Kath at kaharao namin ang dalawa.

"Oh, shit!" Tumapon ang isang meatball sa puting pants niya at dinumihan iyon. Kinuha ko kaagad ang tissue at binigay sakanya.

"Anong plano niyo this december?"

"Wala. Spend christmas with family." Sabi ko. She leans to me and when I look at her, she snaps us a photo at madami iyon. Tinuloy ko ang pagkain dahil gutom talaga ako.

Lumibot din kami at manonood pa sana ng movie pero alanganin ang oras. May kanya kanya din nama kaming gagawin.

"Sayang! Ikaw, Freude, you have plans for tonight? Kahit tayo nalang mag movie!"

Tumawa ako. "Can't go tonight, Kath. I'm busy."

"Pero..." Ngumuso siya. "Your thesis is defended. Why are you still busy?"