His Imperfect Halo (COMPLETED)

Chapter 14

I THOUGHT, this would just be a normal day like how it usually worked, but no. Kakaapak ko pa lamang sa university ay mga pagbati na ang natanggap ko. I was greeted with warm hellos from random people. Their smiles were genuine, a stark contrast to how they used to avoid me automatically in the past. This was a refreshing change, but I was liking it.

Naglalakad na ako papuntang room dahil nag lunch na ako sa bahay. Yes, sa bahay namin. I just wanted to eat something made by my own mom. I was a bit tired of eating the same dishes everyday.

"Francine!"

Isang baritonong sigaw ang narinig ko sa likod dahilan para mapalingon ako. And it was Dean, habang ngiting-ngiti at palapit nang palapit sa akin.

"Dean, why - oh..." Naestatwa ako sa kinatatayuan ko nang bigla ako nitong yakapin. I hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to hug him back or not.

"I'm so proud," aniya at bumitaw na sa pagkakayakap.

I awkwardly smiled. "Thank you... po."

"I'm sorry I couldn't come yesterday. Marami akong appointments kahapon. But as the Dean of this university, I'm incredibly proud of you. As a matter of fact, I thought you weren't gonna make it, but you proved me wrong. Congratulations," sunod-sunod niyang usal at inilahad ang kamay. Tinanggap ko kaagad ito at tipid na ngumiti.

"It's an honor, I guess..." I replied, chuckling nervously. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko.

"Ayun lang, hija. I saw you walking by and thought that I must say that to you. Go to your class now, you're going to be late. Bye, Ms. South-West." Tinapik-tapik niya ako sa balikat tsaka nilagpasan.

I cursed you real hard in my mind back then. I was also sorry I did that, dean.

I took a deep breath and turned around. I was about to walk, but I stopped when I saw Kenzo walking closer to me. His eyebrows furrowed, and I knew he was about to confront me.

"Kenzo, before you react, let me expl—"

"'Wag na. Oh," putol niya at inilahad sa akin ang pera na ibinigay ko sa pamilya nila kahapon.

Kahit mahirap ay pinakatitigan ko ang seryoso niyang mukha. "Kenzo, gusto ko 'to, okay? Besides, I talked to nanay and she already approved this. So take it, please."

"Pakiusap, kunin mo na, Francine," he pleaded, as if not hearing my words. Ramdam ko na rin ang pagtitimpi nito.

Ilang segundo ang lumipas at nakatitig lamang ako sa nangungusap niyang mga mata. Hanggang sa sunod-sunod akong umiling. "No," pagmamatigas ko. "What's the big deal anyway? Not to brag, but... barya lang sa'kin 'yan, Kenzo. It's nothing. Kaya kunin mo na, itabi mo, I don't know... pang-baon mo, ilagay mo sa bank account mo, ipunin—"

"Francine," pagputol niya kaya napatigil agad ako't napatingin sa seryoso niyang mukha. "Hindi ko kailangan ng pera mo. Sapat na 'yung isang beses noong nilibre mo kami ni DJ. Pero ito." Itinaas niya ang perang hawak. "Sobra-sobra na. Kaya kong mag-ipon ng ganito kalaki nang walang katulong, not even you. Kunin mo na," walang emosyon niyang sambit na bahagyang nagpapikit sa akin at nagpayuko.

I sighed and faced him again. "Kenzo, I just want to help—" I didn't get a chance to finish my sentence as he clicked his tongue, grabbed my arm, and forced me to hold the money. I didn't have any choice but to hold it.

With that, he walked away, leaving me torn and unsure of how to respond. I was about to follow him when someone grabbed both my shoulders from behind.

"Francine, nandidito ka pa pala. Come on, male-late na tayo," si Ashley. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at hinila na ako sa kabilang direksyon, pero ang mga mata ko ay nasa kanya pa rin. Hanggang sa kumaliwa ito at hindi ko na naaninag pa.