Be With You

Chapter 2

My last class for today will end at 6 PM and after that, I will be going back to the club room to do the script reading with my co- actors.

I was at the cafeteria to buy some snacks when I received a message saying that we will not be having our next class. For that, I bought my foods and bring it to the club room.

"Napa-aga ka,ah? Wala kayong next class?" A senior asked me. I just nod as an answer. Inalok ko na rin siya ng pagkain pero tinanggihan niya dahil busog pa raw siya.

"Si Kuya Dren, anong oras daw siya pupunta?" I opened a conversation to kill time.

" Mga 5 ang dismissal nila. Quarter na, so, baka papunta na rin yun maya-maya," sagot niya.

"Nabasa mo na ba yang script?"

Tumango ako, pero binasa pa rin uli.

"Kailan nga pala ang presentation?"

"A week from now. Wala pang exact date, pero by next week daw. Waiting pa for the update."

I stopped talking and continue to read the script.

Ten minutes had passed when the door opened and Kuya Dren entered the room.

"Maaga kami dinismiss ni Prof. Himala!" Dumiretso siya sa pwesto niya kung nasaan ang original copy ng script na siya mismo ang nagsusulat. He's our writer, he's in his last year, same course as mine.

"Nandito na ba yung ibang actors?" He asked while scanning the script. Another senior answer a no. May hinihintay pa pala kami, sabagay, maaga pa Naman sa call time.

"Leon, nabasa mo na ba yung buong script?"

"Yes, Kuya. Rereading na lang,"sagot ko.

"Okay, so bale, inform ko muna kayo na wala pang exact date ang presentation natin, but I'm sure it's within next week so better be prepared. Hindi naman tayo aabutin ng gabing- gabi if makikipagcooperate ang lahat." He said, giving stress to the word 'if'.

Ng dumating na ang ibang members ng club ay nagsimula na ang script reading namin.

We finished at almost 6:45 PM dahil may mga idinagdag pang reminders si Kuya Dren.

I picked up my ringing phone and check the caller's ID, it was my sister.

"Ye-"

"Kuya! Asan kaba? I've been waiting for you here sa parking lot. Di pa ba tapos ang class mo? You're supposed to be dismissed by six, right?"

I just let her nagged while I'm silently saying goodbye to my clubmates.

"Papunta na ako," was all I can say then hunged up.

When I arrives at the parking, I saw my sister stomping her feet, pouting, and crossed arms on her chest. But there's another person that caught my attention.

My sister is with a guy!

This little kid! I told her to not entertain any guy, but look at her acting all cute in front of a guy.

My strides are bigger to reach her as fast as I could. My eyes were fixed to that guy while nearing them.

"Leon! Thank God you're here na. Heyy--"

"Anong ginagawa mo sakan--"

Cat got my tongue when I saw the guy's face. He's full of thick make-up. I almost didn't recognize him as a man. But then, his uniform is still as it is.

"Leon! Ano ba? Nasasaktan si Apple," saway sakin ng kapatid ko at hinila ako palayo sa lalaking yun.

"You can go na, Apple. Nandito na yung kaibigan ko. Thanks sa pagsama sa 'paghintay'," she said it like spitting it at my face. Kumaway naman palayo yung kaibigan niya.

"Kaibigan pala, huh?" I turned to her and asked. She crossed her arms and arched her eyebrows.

"Diba yun ang gusto mo? Na walang makaka-alam na magkapatid tayo? So in front of my friends, you are my friend too." She smiled mockingly.

"But, don't change our topic. Ba't ang tagal mo naman, Kuya?" She again stomped her feet.

"I was in my clubroom, okay? We're having a presentation next week so we have to practice. Now, get in the car," I commanded.

I sighed and then get inside the car.

"How was your club orientation? May mga lalaki bang binabastos ka?" I asked, concerned.

Umiling naman siya at saka pumihit paharap sa akin.

" The boys in my club are so fun to be with, Kuya. Madali silang makaclose kasi pare-pareho ang views namin about dancing. Excited na nga ako para sa first assessment namin." Parang kinikilig na ani niya. My sister is one of the new members of the dance club. Ayoko sana siyang payagan dahil when it comes bro dancing, there will be times na kailangan Ng skinship with your partner, and I don't like it when it comes to my sister. I'm one hella protective brother, I admit.

But then, I saw her passion in dancing. I can really tell that she really likes what she's doing, so I choose to let her do what she wants. Ayoko namang isipin niyang masyado akong control freak.

After a few minutes of driving, nakarating din kami sa bahay.

"Gianna, please tell Manang na padalhan na lang ako ng pagkain sa kwar--who are you chatting with?"

She took a short glance at me then back at her phone. " It's my partner for the first assessment sa Friday. We're discussing of the song choice." She answered.

"Your partner, is it a boy or a girl?" I asked, trying not to sound rude.

"You're  at it again kuya. Yes, he's a boy. But, he can be trusted,okay? He won't cause
harm. I swear." She then tapped my shoulder and went out calling for Manang.

I just sighed and massage the bridge of my nose. I just don't want her to cry.