The Taste Of Vengeance

Chapter 20

I put my phone back in my bag after replying to Range. I saw him raise his head after reading something from his phone. That was probably my reply to him. He stood up and welcomed me. He gently held my arm when I got close.

Ganito ang nakagawian namin simula nang magsimula ang college. We took different course kaya hindi na kami magkasama sa mga klase. Silang tatlo ni Rianne at Christian ay Business Administration ang course. I took Tourism while Kate took MedTech.

"Hindi mo kasabay si Rianne ngayon?" he asked.

I looked at my wrist watch to check the time. I still have forty minutes before my first class.

"Mamaya pa pasok," I answered. "I told you already na hindi mo kailangan pumasok ng maaga para sakin," I added. Kabisado ko ang schedule niya at dalawang oras pa bago ang unang klase niya.

He just shrugged and made me sit beside him. Kinuha niya ang bag ko at pinatong sa lamesa. Tahimik ang paligid dahil wala naman masyadong estudyante ang nasa labas. The sound of dried leaves being blown by the wind sounded satisfying to my ears.

"Okay lang. Minsan na lang kita makasama, e. Panirang college 'yan," he playfully said which made me smile.

"We still see each other everyday."

"Yeah," he sounded sarcastic. "Mga five minutes a day, ganon. Pero hindi ako nagrereklamo ah."

I bit my lips, hiding my smile. " Hindi ka pa nagrereklamo sa lagay na 'yan ah?"

"Hindi pa talaga." He laughed. "Nag-breakfast ka na ba?"

I shook my head. "Not yet. Kain tayo?" aya ko. For sure, he hasn't eaten breakfast yet because he came to school early para makita ako.

"Tara," he said and stood up. He carried my bag na mabilis ko rin kinuha kaya nilahad na lang niya ang kamay sa akin.

We went to the cafeteria inside the college building. Kumpara sa building namin noong Senior High ay mas malaki ito at mas marami ang canteen.

Bukod sa isang grupo ng magkakaibigan ay wala nang ibang tao sa cafeteria pagpasok namin. I got a table for us while Range ordered. Kita ko pa ang paglingon ng grupo ng magkakaibigan sa kanya nang madaan ito sa lamesa nila.

I checked my phone while waiting for Range. Kumunot ang noo ko nang mabasa ang kakapasok lang na message sa group chat namin.

Princess Gomez:

Wala daw prof sa first subject mamaya. Sir did not give any activity kaya hindi na siguro required pumasok.

I don't know if I should feel happy or irritated. Okay na sana pero sana ay sinabi nang mas maaga para nalaman namin agad. I suddenly felt guilty because Range came here early dahil maaga ang klase ko tapos wala naman pala ang prof namin.

"Why are you frowning?" Range asked and pulled the chair beside me. Nilagay niya ang pagkain namin sa lamesa.

I tilted my head to look at him. "Wala daw prof namin sa first subject. Sana pala hindi na lang ako pumasok ng maaga para hindi ka na rin pumunta ng maaga dito sa school."

He laughed like I said something funny. "Sus, iyan lang pala. That's fine. At least we have more time together. Mamaya pa pasok ko."

"You really should use your time to rest. Pwede naman magikita na lang tayo kapag walang pasok."

Umiling siya na para bang ayaw na ayaw niya sa sinabi ko. "You said you study during your free days. Anong klaseng manliligaw ako kung hahadlang ako sa pag aaral mo?" aniya at tumawa.

"Pwede naman tayong sabay mag aral," I suggested. Nagu-guilty talaga ako na pumapasok pa siya ng maaga para lang makita ako. Sa hapon kasi ay bihirang magtapat ang free time namin at kailangan kong umuwi ng maaga kaya hindi ko na siya nahihintay.