Barcelona Escapade

Chapter Twenty-Five: Together

Chapter Twenty-Five
Together

I went to a lot of adjustments after settling to Laguna for the rest of my engineering academic years. Iyon ang nasa plano ni Mamá. I only don't know if she's getting me back to study in Manila kapag hindi nagwork-out 'yong sa amin ni Jayren. I wish she won't though, because that would mean hassle for me and Eros again.

I eventually made few friends in the block section I am included. Si Jayden ang madalas kong kasama dahil siya ang unang kilala ko rito. Nagkataong may dormmate siya na kabilang sa klase namin. When we were asked to go in groups of three, nakilala ko 'yong kaibigan niyang 'yon.

As for Imogen, I tried to remain distant even when we're the only girls in the class. I somehow got a welcome of how reckless she could be. Hindi ko naman siya sinisisi sa nangyari dahil pabor din kay Jayden at ginusto niya 'yon.

But that's the first, last and only thing I'd ever tolerate about her. At least, she didn't seem affected dahil nagkaroon din siya ng mga kaibigan sa block.

"Plates mo," sabi ni Jayden sa tabi ko.

I blinked and got to my senses. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa gawa ko hanggang sa mapansin ang bote ng tubig sa gilid. It was eliciting moist at muntik nang mabasa ang dulo ng papel ko kung hindi pa inilayo ni Hiro, iyong dormmate ni Jayden, na nasa tabi ko. I chose to hang around with Jayden and his friend after class, in the library, to finish plates that have to be passed tomorrow.

"Thanks," pasalamat ko.

Nagkabikit-balikat si Hiro at pareho silang bumalik sa ginagawa nila. They're half-way done with their works too but here was I spacing out. Napailing ako at bumalik din sa gawain katulad nila.

Jayden is as focused as Hiro. No wonder, they easily got along well. Ever since the breakup of Hailey and Jayden, madalas na ulit tahimik si Jayden.

If that's his coping mechanism when people are around, I wonder how he's like when he's alone. Sinigurado ko namang tinatanong ko siya palagi kung okay lang siya. Physically, he is. He doesn't even look wearyand exhausted. He's just calm and composed.

"Kayo lang ni Jayden sa dorm niyo, Hiro?" I tried to ask.

Tinaasan niya ako ng tingin at tumigil saglit. Pati si Jayden ay napalingon sa'kin. I shrugged at him.

I just want to make sure Jayden's having back support. He maybe is the one behind the breakup itself but that doesn't mean he's not hurting. The thing with guys is they don't show too much sentimentality because their nature is perceived to be masculine and masculinity, as marked by society, has to be a tough ideal. A reason why a man can't fully express themselves; why they can't open up the way they might wanted to.

And that stigma, must be broken. Anyone should always feel free to be strong and emotional at times, regardless of the gender. And for Jayden, I wish he opens up to him.

"Yeah," sagot ni Hiro.

I nodded in relief. "Maybe I should sometimes stop by to review with you guys?"

From the three weeks I have been spending here, Jayden and Hiro have shown exemplary academic behavior. I am not surprised of Jayden, he's always like that back in Manila. Si Hiro, na kakikilala ko pa lang, mukhang deboto rin ng pag-aaral.

If I were to blend with block mates, I would go with them. Maliban kasi kay Eros, pag-aaral din ang kailangan kong pagtuonan ng pansin.

Hiro looked up to me and stopped drawing.

"I don't really bring women in dorm, but it's fine," he said. Sinulyapan niya si Jayden ng saglit "Are you his girlfriend?"

Umawang ang labi ko at mabilis na napailing.