Visions of the Sea

Chapter 3

*** As Catedrahes ***

Bumalik ako nang madaling araw sa bahay para makapagbihis at pumunta sa eskwelahan.

My parents are still asleep but I made a decision to just leave them a note na aalis ako.

The car ride takes so long and I can't sleep again from all the thinking while looking out the window—staring at the cars passing by. The road is a lot peaceful if it's early in the morning. Wala ring traffic and the travel time is definitely about two hours to get to Sta. Caro.

My class starts at 8 and it's safe to leave at that time to make sure I have enough left to get ready for the day.

Naalala ko naman ang nangyari kagabi, napatampal ako ng noo ko sa hiya. How can someone be so clumsy?

But my outfit looked stylish last night. I felt like a businesswoman. That reminds me, kailangan kong ibalik 'to sa kanya pagkatapos malabhan.

The way I felt about him that evening was peculiar. I couldn't wrap my head around it.

My thoughts immediately go into thin air when Mang Ben's voice come from the driver's seat.

"Hija, narito na tayo."

Marahan akong tumango kay Mang Ben at tahimik na pumasok sa bahay. I greeted Manang Louisa and went upstairs to get ready. I remove my pumps at iniwan na lang muna sa sahig bago kinuha ang towel at pumasok sa banyo para maligo.

I get out after a few minutes and pick my uniform in my closet. Pagkatapos kong mag-ayos ay bumaba na kaagad ako upang mag-agahan. It's now 6:37 in the morning.

"Kamusta, anak? Masaya ba kagabi?" Manang's voice really soothes me.

Tinagilid niya ang kanyang ulo ng maramdamang tulala akong kumakain.

"Anong nangyari?" may bahid ng pag-aalala sa kanyang tono. Napatalon ako ng konti.

"A-ah... wala po. Opo, masaya naman."

"Magsabi ka sa akin kapag may bumabagabag sa'yo. Sige na. Kumain ka pa."

Ngumiti ako sa kanya at tumango. Pagkatapos kong kumain ay nagpaalam ako at pumasok na sa sasakyan papunta sa eskwelahan. Magti-tricycle nalang ako mamaya para makapagpahinga si Mang Ben. We had to travel at such an early morning that I don't think he had enough sleep.

Nang pumasok ako sa classroom ay nakita ko si Venn at Nairobi na nag-uusap sa gilid malapit sa glass window. They noticed that I have arrived at binati ako.

"Congratulations on your mom's operation. It's really a big deal. Narinig ko kanina kay Mama while we're on a phone call. They couldn't come at the dinner dahil nasa Colombia sila. I couldn't come because I had skating practice," utas ni Venn.

"Thanks. It's okay. There weren't that many people there either," tipid kong sagot bago umupo sa aking upuan.

"Wala ka 'ata sa mood. 'Anyare?" pang-uusisa ni Venn.

"Wala. Masama lang ang pakiramdam ko dahil gabi na natapos yung pagsasalo."

Kunot-noo akong tiningnan ni Venn. "Asan ka ba kagabi?"

"Brisbank. The Langham. The celebration was there kaya sinundo ako ni Mang Ben kahapon."

"Oh. Kasama ba sina Governor?"

"Oo."

"Kasama ang kanilang anak?"

"Malamang, Venn," si Robi.

Natigilan ako bigla sa sinabi ni Venn. A brief flashback passed through my mind before I shake it all off.

"O...o?" Why did I answer like I wasn't sure if he was indeed there?