I'm In Love With HIM

Chapter 21: Knight In Shining Armor

BLUE

“Ano ba naman ‘to! These papers seem to be useless,” I uttered to myself.

I’m currently reading the papers that Ms. Perez from Crimson University gave to us. I’m now on the third page at parang wala naman akong nakikitang clues na nagli-link kay Maiko Ferrer into Genesis. Wala din siyang mga records na nagtuturo sa kanya sa kanyang mga masasamang gawain. He seems to be a perfect criminal. A flawless culprit who leave no clues that may lead to him in a crime scene.

I already flipped three pages pero puro mga good records lang niya ang nandoon. Some of it are his connection to the Student Council, being a promising basketball player, his participation on last year’s Mr. and Ms. Crimson High, and many more. In short, those papers are just full of nice praises for him.

KRRRT!

Narinig kong kumulo na ang tiyan ko tanda ng aking pagkagutom. That’s why I decided to leave those papers on the table and went to the kitchen. Wala pa naman akong napalang importanteng impormasyon tungkol sa kanya so far.

I open the fridge and saw nothing to eat. Wala akong nakikitang pagkain na pwede kong gawing hapunan. All I see are bottled water, banana cakes and soy milks. Alangan naman kakain lang ako ng cake for dinner, di ba?

I was left with no choice. I must go to the cafeteria para kumain. The examination week is coming kaya dapat kong palakasin ang katawan for the week-long preparation. Ayokong magka-migraine sa kaka-memorize ng mga terms para sa paparating na exam.

I then quickly change my school uniform into my casual clothes at kinuha ang aking phone at wallet. Niligpit ko na lang din ang papers na tungkol sa Maiko Ferrer na ‘yon at ibinalik sa drawer. Pagkatapos ay lumabas na ako ng kwarto at tinahak ang daan patungong elevator.

***

Hindi na masyadong populated ang cafeteria kasi mag-aalas-otso na ng gabi. Kaya marami ng vacant tables akong nakikita. Dumiretso na ako sa counter at umorder ako ng spicy rice noodle at pink milk. Doon na rin ako umupo sa usual seat namin kapag kumakain kami tuwing tanghali.

This is my scenario everytime I eat my dinner here in the cafeteria. Alone. I choose not to bother texting Valeriano or Bianca just to join me. Hindi din naman kasi sila nagtetext sa akin kung kumakain sila dito. So para fair, hindi na lang din ako nagpapasama sa kanila. Hindi kasi ako ‘yong taong nagbibigay perwisyo sa mga taong nasa aking paligid.

I looked around the faces of the students here inside the cafeteria. There are familiar faces but most of them are not. Maybe they came from different strands. Hindi din naman kasi ako lumalabas ng classroom ko. Kaya bihira lang din ako makakasalamuha ng ibang mga estudyante.

“Heto na ang spicy rice noodle at pink milk mo hijo,” pukaw sa akin ng nasa mid-30s na vendor dito sa cafeteria.

Nilapag niya ang dala niyang tray na may laman ng aking inorder na pagkain.

“Salamat po manang,” masigla kong pasalamat sa kaniya.

“Walang anuman hijo,”she replied, flashing a smile on me. ‘Yong ngiti na makikita mo ang nawawala niyang isang ngipin. She turned her back to me and went back to her place.

May nagsidatingan ding mga estudyante na parang galing pang laro or something. Para kasi silang naliligo sa sarili nilang pawis. Also, their shirts are all wet with their own sweats. Maybe they had their practices since the Intramurals is quite approaching.

I returned my attention back to the food in my front. Minabuti ko nang galawin ito bago pa lumamig. I was on my third spoon when I sensed someone is standing in my front. Nakayuko lang kasi ako the whole time na kumakain ako.