Thy Worth

CHAPTER 8 | Betrayed

Zachary Brylle Romero

Nag-ronda ako sa university para ma-check ang daloy ng mga activities sa 3rd day ng aming Foundation Week Celebration.  So far ay okay naman ang lahat.  Everything went as planned.  Pagkaalis ko sa Movie House ay dumiretso ako sa University Student Council Office.

"Wow. You're really the Student Council President Zach. Apaka efficient naman. How to be you Mr. Pres?" biro sa akin ni Reeve nang pumasok ako. 

Yumuko ako para makita ang print sa suot kong shirt. Napangiti ako. I'm wearing our couple shirt na binili namin ni Via nung isang araw.

Speaking of Via, kumusta na kaya ang girlfriend ko?  I scanned my wristwatch for the time.  Quarter to 2pm.  Alam kong may Friendship Game sila with the Varsity Team from a nearby private school at 2pm. 

"Reeve, may gagawin ka pa ba? Tara sa court. Manood tayo ng laro."

"Aba si Mr.  President. Supportive boyfriend.  Sige na nga.  Samahan na kita.  Trey tara!"

Bukod kay Trey at Reeve, sumama rin ang ilang kasamahan naming babae.

"Dude, this no. 10 is a real hottie" turo ng isang lalaki sa screen ng kaniyang cell phone.

Dumungaw naman ang kasama nitong lalaki. "I don't know her."

"Nah, you should watch her play dude. You'll probably forget about Nicole."

"Let's see" kibit-balikat nitong sabi.

"At ito pa dude.  She's also hot in bed."

Rinig na rinig ko ang pag-uusap ng dalawang lalaking estudyanteng kasabay namin sa pathway patungong court. 

They were both busy looking at the guy's cellphone thay they didn't seem to notice us. 

Tumikhim ako kaya natahimik sila at naunang maglakad.
 

Nakita kong nag-i-stretching na ang Team nina Via sa gilid ng court. Pumito si Coach Ronnie at kaniya-kaniya sila ng takbo sa kanilang bag upang uminom ng tubig.

I waved at her. Lumapit siya sa akin. I signaled her to stop when she stood before me. Lumuhod ako para itali ang shoelace niya. 

Rinig ko ang pasimpleng kantyawan ng mga kasama ko sa likod.  Aware din ako sa mga matang nakatingin sa akin. Siyempre I'm not just a pretty face.  I'm the Student Council's President. Even my shirt is screaming about it.

I don't enjoy the attention they often give me. But I became used to it since it comes with the position I was entrusted with. 

I know Via also shares the same feeling.  She doesn't like the spotlight too. But being given the attention is already a given since she's my girlfriend. 

I heard someone mention my name so I turned to give them a wave. 

Via let an awkward smile. I crossed the distance between us to give her a kiss on the forehead.

I know I'm pulling off a public display of affection but I don't give a damn. I love Via and I'm not ashamed to tell it to the world. 

Hindi si Via ang first girlfriend ko.  I was once in a relationship too when I started college. 

Being a Freshman in a College of Architectures was a lot of work. Mas naging busy ako nung magsimula na akong magkainteres sa politics sa university.  I had a demanding schedule. Chloie, my then girlfriend started to nag at me and me having no time for her.