Unforgotten Tale

CHAPTER 11

LEAPING TOADSTOOL

We're waiting for the professor for our first class today which is astronomy, when suddenly someone sat on the vacant chair beside me. I thought it's Melissa because she told me she'll just go to the bathroom. Akala ko nakabalik na siya pero hindi pala, paglingon ko kasi 'yung asungot kahapon ang tumabi sa akin. Inirapan ko nalang siya at hindi pinansin.

"Ang sungit naman." Pag kausap niya sa akin. "Maganda ba sa mortal world?" Bulong niya pa pero hindi ko talaga pinansin. Ang dami niyang tinatanong pero kahit isa doon ay wala akong sinagot.Nadadagdagan na naman ang sakit ng ulo ko. Isang tipid magsalita at isang napaka daldal.

Hindi pa nagtagal ay dumating na si Melissa. Bakas ang pagtataka sa mukha niya pero nagkibit balikat lang ako. Umupo nalang si Melissa sa may likuran ko kasi mukha namang walang balak umalis ang katabi ko.

Pagkatapos ng klase ay umalis ako kaagad. For sure that guy will pester me again. Can't he notice that I don't wanna talk about it?

We just finished our first and second class, we'll just have our lunch. As usual Juaquin didn't attend his classes again. We both have the same classes that's why I know. Is he not worried to have failing grades? Hindi ko narin nakita 'yung asungot. Ang hilig naman ata nilang lumiban ng klase. Ako nga na hindi naman magtatagal dito ay nag-aaral parin ng mabuti. I'm enjoying everything.

After we had our lunch we proceeded to our last class for today. It's herbology. We'll learn how to take good care of plants, what they are used for and so on. We're already at the greenhouse. I was shocked because the girl from last time in the girls lounge is here and she's with Juaquin. They are talking about something I don't know because they are far from me. I just shrugged my shoulders.

It's our first time to have this class that's why I'm not yet aware who my classmates are. I didn't expect that she'd be one though. Pake alam ko ba? Siniko naman ako ni Melissa ang she gave me those knowing looks.

"Uy!" Biglang may kumalabit sakin mula sa liuran. Hindi ko na pinansin at alam ko na kung sino. Lumapit na ako sa mga halaman. Sumunod naman silang dalawa saakin.

"I'm Archer by the way." May nagtatanong? She lent his hand to Melissa. "Melissa," Sagot naman ng kaibigan ko and she took his hands.

"And you're?" Pagtatanong niya naman sa akin. Hindi ko na naman napigilan ang mapa irap sa kanya. Ngayon niya lang talaga naisipang magpakilala?

"Aurora," I answered out of courtesy. Ngumiti naman siya at pinagtuunan ng pansin ang halaman na nasa harap namin.

"What's happening?" Pabulong na pagtatanong sa akin ni Melissa. I just mouthed later.

The class started and Ms.Fran started teaching us. "The plant in front of you is a leaping toadstool." Namangha naman ako. So this is what a leaping toadstool looks like in reality, it's really small, the cap is in red color and has white scales there's also a ring in its body.

"First thing that you need to know in growing a leaping toadstool is to make sure that they have enough space. Why? You'll know later. There should also be enough sunlight and moisture. Believe me they will search for those themselves if you won't provide them the things they need." What does she exactly mean by that? She continued her discussion and I just listened.

"For your activity today, you need to pluck one." She said. That's so easy. She gave us our gloves for protection and as we were about to pluck them they suddenly leaped. Great! That's why they are called leaping toadstool. How can I forget?

Nagkanya kanya kaming habol sa mga toadstool. May roong mga sumisigaw dahil nadapa sila at hindi nila mahuli mayroon din namang mga nagmumura, really? Natawa nalang ako. The toadstools are so naughty. Dahil sa kagustuhan kong makahuli ng isang toadstool ay 'di ko na napansin na may makakabungguan pala ako.

"Shit." He cussed. Paano ba naman kasi nagkauntugan ang mga noo namin. "Really, woman?" Ang arte niya talaga. Ako nga hindi nagreklamo. Nilampasan ko nalang siya at sinubukan ulit huliin ang mushroom.

"There you go," I said when I finally caught one. I'm just smiling, sobrang saya kasi. I never thought that I would ever experience this. Masaya rin kasi lahat kami ay nakahuli.

"Galing," Sabi naman ni archer, nginitian ko naman siya. Inalis niya ang ugat noon at umalis para ilagay sa glass container. Susunod na rin dapat ako ng may magsalita sa tabi ko.

"I told you not to be near him." Ano na namang pinagsasabi niya?

"Who? Archer?" I asked him. Sino pa ba kasi ang sasabihan niya noon? "Why would I? He's a bit annoying but he's nice." Ginulo niya naman bigla ang buhok ko. I don't know, but at that moment my heart skipped a bit. What the fuck?

"Ang tigas ng ulo mo," Sabi niya lang at umalis na. Sinundan ko naman siya ng tingin. Why am I feeling this way? Nakatulala lang ako ng marahan na itulak ni Melissa ang balikat ko.

"Tulala ka riyan?" Tanong niya sa akin. Umiling naman ako at kumuha na rin ng glass container para doon ilagay ang leaping toadstool.

"So, It's fun right?" Tanong sa amin ni Ms.Fran. I admit it is. "You'll make use of that on your next potion making. I already talked about it with your professor. The potion is the one that I will grade. See you next time and I hope you enjoyed it." Pagtatapos niya sa klase namin.

Nasa hallway na kami pabalik sa dorm ng humarang sa amin ang babae.I don't know her name but she's the same girl that Joaquin's talking to a while ago. Tumingin siya sa akin at pagkatapos ay kay Melissa.

"Ghad! You are so gullible." Sabi niya sa akin. Umirap at umalis na. Ano bang problema niya? At anong ibig niyang iparating?