Unforgotten Tale

CHAPTER 9

IN A RELATIONSHIP

Pagkatapos naming kumain ay pumanhik na kami sa aming silid. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko sisimulang sabihin sa kanya. Umupo siya sa higaan niya at tumitig saakin. Walang nangahas na magsalita sa amin. Ngunit hindi nagtagal ay binasag din ni Melissa ang katahimikan.

"What's with you and Joaquin? I already told you not to get close to him." Hindi ko naman siya lalapitan kung wala akong kailangan sa kanya. I need his help, so I don't have a choice. "Are you two a thing?" Dugtong pa niya. What? Bigla akong na mula sa sinabi niya. Me and Joaquin? There is no way. That will never happen. Mas masungit pa nga siya sa babaeng nireregla o naglilihi.

"Oh, hindi ka makasagot at namumula ka pa." Napabunghalit na ako sa pagtawa. Kumunot naman ang mga noo niya. Pinigilan ko ang aking pagtawa kasi nga seryoso ang mga sandaling ito.

"Okay, first of all me and Joaquin is not a thing. I just need his help about something." Bukas ang pagtataka sa kanyang mukha. I'm still having second thought whether to tell her or not. I can't keep it a secret to her though. Lalo pa at muhang matagal pa bago ako makaalis dito.

"I'm from the mortal world." I told her straight. Napataas ang dalawa niyang kilay, siya naman ang tumawa ngayon. "You don't believe me, aren't you?" Tawa parin siya ng tawa. I just scratch my head.

"Wait..hahaha.. I don't know that you're a joker." Tinignan ko lang siya at hindi ngmuti para malaman niyang hindi ako nagbibiro. Napatigil naman siya sa pagtawa at bigla nalang sumeryoso ang mukha. "Are you for real?" Tumango tango naman ako. Bigla na lang siyang lumapit sa akin at pinakatitigan ako. "W-what happened? Paano ka napunta rito? That's impossible."

"Hindi rin naman ako makapaniwala noong napunta ako rito. Akala ko nga nananaginip lang ako. But, it's real. I was looking for a book when I found a strange book. I read what's written and the next thing I know is that I'm here." Nakatitig lamang siya at mukhang pino-process pa lahat ng sinabi ko.

"I really can't believe it. Like, for real? Akala namin wala ng lagusan." Yeah, that's what you guys keep on telling.

"But, wait. Why do you need the help of Joaquin? Sinabi mo ba sa kanya na galing a sa mortal world?" Napakagat ako sa aking labi at nag buntong hininga. Now I don't know what to say. Hindi ko naman pwedeng sabihin na nakita ko doon si Joaquin.

"I..ahm. It's not about that. I need a job and I asked him if he knows one." Yeah, that's it. Napuno naman ng pagtataka ang kanyang mukha. It's a lame excuse but I can't just tell her. There are suspicions in her eyes.

"Why would you ask for a job from Joaquin? You could've told me and we'll find one. Why do you need a job by the way?" Okay, what now?

"Wala naman kasi akong pera. The school provides everything that we need from clothings to food but of course I need money for the requirements that we need in our study. Last time you paid for everything." It's partly true. I need money, It's just that I didn't ask for it on Joaquin.

"It's okay. Don't make a big deal out of it. I have extra money and It can cover both of us." Napangiti naman ako sa sinabi niya. "Of course it's a big deal. Your parents are working for it and I can't just share with it. I'll find a job and pay you." Nginitian ko naman siya.

"Don't bother na nga. But if you really need a job then we'll look for it. But seriously, he'll just call you in the middle of the night?" Hindi parin pala siya tapos sa tapos sa mga tanong niya.

"Yeah, nagulat nga ako eh. He just told me that there are no vacancies for the job I'm asking." Lies. Humiga naman siya sa aking kama. "Enough with it. Will you tell me stories about the mortal world?" Tinabihan ko siya. "Sure!"

We're almost late with our class. Paano ba naman kasi ang dami niyang tanong tungkol sa mortal world. Our class for today is charms. Mr.Fredric instructed us on what to do on the ingredients that we bought. So, we're going to make 'dream potion' out of those ingredients.

"Since I already told you the procedures and the exact amount that you need you may start. But take note, it doesn't mean that I told you the exact things you need to do, you'd be complaisant. You are not going to make a simple dream potion, when it turns purple you did the right thing. Be careful." What does he mean by 'it's not just a simple dream potion?' Nagkibit balikat nalang ako.

Nagulat ako dahil bigla nalang bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si Joaquin. Nice, I thought he's not going to class again. 'Yun nga lang late na naman. "Proceed to your station." Narinig kong sinabi sa kanya ni Mr.Frederic. Hindi ko na sila pinansin at nagsimula na sa paggawa ng potion.

Melissa nudged me and I looked at her in a 'what do you need look.' I nginuso niya naman si Joaquin. Nakita kong nakatitig ito sa akin. Pinagtaasan ko naman siya ng kilay at umirap. Ipinagpatuloy ko na ang aking ginagawa.

We've been here for an hour pero hindi pa rin gumagana. Kahit isa sa amin ay wala paring nakagagawa. Joaquin caught my attention when he went on the table of Mr.Fredric. Inabot niya rito ang phial glass na may lamang purple liquid. Wait, did he do it? How? I literally followed the instructions our professor told us but nothing happened. Tapos siya na late at hindi narinig ang instructions nagawa niya? Unbelievable. All of the eyes are on him. Our professor grades it and gives it back to him.

Naglakad na siya patungong pinto pero bago lumabas ay tumingin muna siya saakin. Nakataas ang kanang kilay at naka ngisi. Arg! Napaka yabang.

Okay, this is my last ingredients. Ilang beses ko na itong inulit kaso hindi ko parin magawa. Laging itim na kulay ang lumalabas saakin. 'Yung kay Melissa nga kanina eh sumabog. I really hope this will work or else I'm doomed. I crossed my fingers and breath.

It took me almost two hours in order for me to make the potion. So when I finished it I didn't control my excitement. "Yay!" I exclaimed at nagtinginan naman sila sa akin. Pangatlo palang kasi ako sa mga nakagagawa nito. The previous one was a guy I don't know who.

"How did you do it?" Melissa asked. In all honesty I don't know. I was just so frustrated that I poured all my frustrations into it. Then suddenly I made it. "I really don't know. I just followed the instructions. Just concentrate. You can do it." Pampapalakas ko sa loob niya. Sumimangot naman siya at umirap. Hindi ko nalamang pinansin ang pag irap niya. I know she's also frustrated like me. I poured the potion on my phial and let our professor check it. "See you later." I mouthed to Melissa before going out of the room. Tumango lang naman siya.

I need to talk to the head mistress.