Chapter 22

I was busy writing on my binder when someone put a pen on it. Tumingala naman ako. Saka ko nakita si Sir Yves sa mismong harapan ko.

Lumingon ako sa paligid. My blockmates are busy doing our tasks that's why they aren't noticing him in front of me.

“Sir..”

“You left that yesterday at the waiting shed,” seryosong sabi niya sa akin at tinuro ang pen. “Hindi ko na naibigay. Umalis ka kaagad.”

He looked at me once again before he went to his table. He didn't even let me speak. I sighed and looked at the pen that came from him. This is maybe the pen that I dropped when I was searching for my phone. Nakalimutan kong kuhanin sa kamay niya.

“I thought you're not close?"

Umirap ang mata ko nang marinig ko na naman si Rebecca. “We're not, alright? Binigay niya lang ang pen ko 'cause I dropped it last time.”

God! I can't believe I have to explain this to her!

“Hmmm. Whatever.”

Hinayaan ko na lang ang babaeng katabi ko na mag-isip ng gusto niyang isipin. Sir Yves didn't suppose to attend his classes today but Sir Jameson is sick according to him. He'll be our professor in Ethics and also in Finance but that's only for temporary. As long as wala pa si Sir Jameson, papasok din siya sa Finance class aside from Ethics. It makes me sick.

It only means that we'll see each other more often now. And why the hell am I being so affected, huh?

It's normal! He's your professor, Alindra! Malamang, magkikita at magkikita kayo!

I really have to get these thoughts away from my mind. That's why when it's already lunch time, I immediately called Rylan even if I know that he's busy at this hour. Ngayon lang naman ako tatawag!

“Ry,” I softly called his name when he finally answered.

“Yes, my love? I'm sorry. Ngayon ko lang nasagot ang call. I was at the comfort room.” Malalim ang boses niya nang sumagot.

Napatingin ako sa paligid ko. I'm almost at the end of the university where in there are a lot of Narra trees that are standing proud and tall around me. Mahangin dahil doon.

I panicked when a group of professors passed almost beside my direction. I thought Sir Yves isn't there but I also saw Sir Psalm with him. Sabay silang naglalakad patungo sa left wing ng university kasama ng iba pang professors.

“Alindra? Still there?” Rylan brought back my senses when he spoke.

"Uh, I'm just planning to.. what if you take me out for dinner?” I said when I saw that Sir Yves glanced at me for a while.

Tumalikod na lang ako at humarap sa mga puno.

“Of course, sure. Where do you want to eat? I'm really sorry. Busy ako these past few days at hindi kita na-d-date---”

“It's alright,” namamaos kong sagot sa kaniya. “I'm already fine in a fast food chain..”

He chuckled. “You sure? I want to take you on my favorite restaurant.”

“I'm sure of that, Ry. Let's try that resto next time. Sige na, I know you're busy..”

I already ended the call. I turned to look at my back. I sighed in relief when they're already on the left wing at hindi na ako makikita ni Sir Yves. Hindi ko alam. I just don't know why I have this indescribable feeling whenever I feel his presence.. whenever he's close to me. Whenever he is...

I stopped from what I'm thinking. I really should be focusing on my studies instead of thinking about him. I'm just getting more problematic! Wala namang mangyayaring maganda kapag ganoon!

Just freak it, Alindra!

. . .

The wind blew hard as I got closer to the sea in front of me. Malamig ang hangin na yumakap sa buong katawan ko. Wala akong ibang nakikita kung hindi ang kahabaan ng isla at karagatan.

Despite of that, I feel so calm and relaxed.

I just stopped when someone grabbed my arm and slapped my face so hard. I saw that she's a woman.. a very familiar woman even with her blurred face.

“Tigilan mo na ang kalokohan mo, Alindra! Stay away from him!”

Her voice is also too familiar pero hindi ako sumasagot. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hinahayaan ko lang siyang gawin iyon sa akin. I just stand there — crying in front of her. I can't do anything but to stare at her. Ni hindi ko alam kung ano ang sinasabi niya.

Nagulat naman ako nang maya-maya ay umiyak din siya saka lumuhod sa harapan ko. Sumasabay ang tunog ng pag-iyak niya sa mga alon sa dagat.

“I-I'm begging you.. please. I love him. I can't leave him. Please, 'wag mong sabihin,” she added and cried again.

Another batch of tears came out from my eyes before I looked away. She kept on pleading and crying at hindi ko iyon mapigilan. Hindi ko alam kung kilala ko siya.

The next thing I knew, after she begged for the last time and almost kissed my feet — everything went blurry.

“Alindra, ‘wag!”

Malabo sa mga mata ko ang lahat pero may naririnig akong sigaw ng lalaki at babae. Iba-iba. They're stopping from whatever I'm doing.

“Umalis ka na!”

Bigla akong napabangon sa hinihigaan. I'm panting. I had a very bad dream. I rubbed my eyes as I looked around. I didn't know that I napped while I was studying earlier.

I closed my eyes tightly as I remembered my dream that I had just a while ago. It was very vague at unti-unti ko na ring nakakalimutan simula nang magising ako. Naalala ko lang, nasa isla ako at may babaeng kausap. May lalaki rin na tumatawag sa akin pero malabo rin ang mukha niya.

I went inside the bathroom to wash my face. I don't know what's really going on these days. Actually, I had dreamt about it many times already. Noong una ay noong nakaraang taon pa. Pero laging ganoon ang napapaginipan ko.

I pulled my hair because of frustration. I look so stressed when i saw myself at the mirror.

“Just.. don't freaking mind it, Alindra! It's not helping you!”

I want to slap my face hard so I'll wake up from all of these nonsense things that I'm experiencing and thinking in the past few days. Should I blame that freaking professor — Sir Yves? Simula nang dumating siya, nagulo na ang lahat! Kahit wala siyang ginagawa, malaki ang epekto niya sa akin! Even if I already reminded myself to just forget about it and don't be affected! Wala! Hindi ko magawa!

And I freaking hate it!

Natigilan na lang ako sa pag-iisip nang marinig ko ang pagtunog ng doorbell. I immediately went in front of the door to check who it is. Nakita ko naman si Mom sa camera na naka-attach sa doorbell.

I wonder.. what is she doing here? Don't tell me, hindi pa rin siya sanay na wala ako kaya lagi niya akong chine-check here?

I sighed as I opened the door. “Hi, Mom! Come in!”

She gave me a kiss on my cheeks when she got inside. Napansin kong naka-formal attire siya ngayon at may dala pang handbag. Looks like she came from a meeting at dumiretso lang dito para tingnan ako.

“Do you still have foods here? Should we go to the grocery?” tanong niya habang nililibot ang tingin sa unit ko. “I should've brought Yaya..”

“Mom,” I sighed. “Kaya nga ako nag-move here para hindi na ako mag-depend on you and also to our maids. And what's the point of moving here if you're always checking me?”

Nakita ko namang umupo siya sa couch at nilapag sa coffee table ang handbag. “Look at you now! Nagpapaka-independent ka na. You don't need us anymore. You're growing up so fast. Can you blame me for always visiting you here? Na-mi-miss lang kita sa mansion, darling..”

“Lexy is also here. Halos katabi lang ng unit ko. I'm thinking na sinabi mo kay Tita Imelda na dito na lang mag-stay si Lexy for the meantime so you have an eye here..”

I'm really thinking about it ever since I saw them talking last time. I know my mother very well. Hindi niya ako hahayaang tumira dito nang wala akong bantay. The best examples are my cousin — Lexy and Tita Lauren.

“Of course not! Lexy just wants to stay here in Manila for good instead na pumunta siya ng Vegas!”

Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako. “Oh, where are you going, Mom? Hindi ka na magtatagal? I'll order you your favorite biscuits and coffee,” I said when she went straight to the door.

“No, thanks. Hindi na rin ako magtatagal 'cause I remember, I saw Rylan at the office a while ago and he said that you'll have a dinner date tonight so he'll fetch you here,” she told me and smiled a bit. “Enjoy the rest of the night with him, sweetheart. I'll go ahead..”

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang maalala ko ang usapan namin ni Rylan. Hindi na ako nagpaalam pa kay Mom.

I looked at the wall clock and it's already past 6 PM. I immediately went inside my room to prepare. I decided to just wear a black evening dress that I'll pair with my silver clutch bag but then —  I remembered that I told him to eat on a fast food chain and not on a fancy restaurant so I quickly changed.

I'm not really in the mood to go out but since I already called him earlier and he's also looking forward to this date — I obliged myself to meet him at the lobby. I'm only wearing a black hoodie and denim jeans. Ayaw ko nang magsuot ng kahit ano pa.

“Ano? You're good? Alis na tayo?” tanong ni Rylan pagkatapos niya akong halikan.

I weakly smiled. “Yeah. Let's go..”

We're now heading to the parking lot para makaalis na kami. It's a good that he didn't complain about my clothes. I don't know why I became suddenly lazy.

“So.. how's your day?” Rylan asked when we got inside his new car.

“It's tiring,” I sighed as I leaned closer to the chair. “First week pa lang of being a college student but it's already stressful. Especially that I'm taking up business..”

“Hindi ka naman ba pinilit nina Tita sa Business Ad? Or gusto mo talaga ‘yan?”

“Hindi nila ako pinilit but I have no other choice. At para na rin makatulong sa pag-manage ng resort..”

Nakita ko namang napangiti siya roon. “Why don't we visit your resort next time? I believe, mayro'n kayo sa South and also sa West. I've been there before.. kami ni Rachel sa Puricia Grittonia..”

My forehead creased upon hearing that. “Puricia Grittonia? It's familiar but I've never been there before.”

“No. You've been..”

He told me something but I didn't hear it because of his ringing phone. Tumingin naman siya sa akin — probably asking for permission to answer the incoming call.

Bumuntong-hininga lang ako saka tumango. Sinagot naman niya ang tawag.

“Yes? Just cancel it. Pupunta na lang ako tomorrow morning. Hindi naman. Yeah. Alright..”

After a few moments, he finally ended the call. He looked at me after that. Nakatigil din pansamantala ang kotse niya.

“I'm sorry. Ngayon lang ako nagkaro'n ng time sa ‘yo, may tumatawag pa,” he guiltily uttered.

“It's fine, Ry. It's business. Ganiyan din naman sina Mom and Dad. I'm used to it.” I assured him with a smile. It's not really a big deal for me.

Lumilipad ang isip ko sa kung saan.

Ngumiti rin siya. “I'll make it up to you..”

He held my other hand when he started to drive again. Natawa naman ako.

“Hey, you're driving!”

He just chuckled and turned on the stereo. I stared at him for a while. I don't really love him despite of the relationship that we have now but somehow, he's making me feel better. Rylan is really such a nice guy. Pero kung ano man ang nararamdaman ko sa kaniya ngayon, I'm very sure that it's not love.

Hindi ko alam pero parang may mali na nangyayari lahat ng 'to. It feels so wrong that we're together now at may relasyon kaming dalawa.

Almost everything feels so freaking wrong when it's actually right!

“Ano? Let's go?”

Nagulat na lang ako nang makitang nasa labas na pala si Rylan at hinihintay na lang akong bumaba.

“Uh, y-yes. Sorry,” sagot ko saka nagmamadaling bumaba. I didn't bother to hold his hand when he offered it.

“Are you okay? Are you sick? Kanina ka pa tulala..”

Umiling naman ako kaagad saka sumagot, “no, wala. I was just spacing out.”

Pumasok na ako sa fast food resto para sundan na rin niya ako.

“I only want steak and fries,” I answered when he asked my order.

Napansin kong maraming tao sa loob kahit weekdays. The screams from the kids are so annoying but I just chose to ignore it. Good thing that there are still vacant tables inside.

Kaagad namang pumunta si Rylan sa counter nang makahanap kami ng table. He even gave me a quick kiss on my lips. Nagulat naman ako nang maya-maya, dumating na kaagad ang order namin.

I suddenly became hungry when I saw our foods on the table. Rylan, then sat on the chair in front of me. Kumunot naman ang noo ko nang may makitang lalaki na tumitingin sa akin.

“Who's that?” I asked to myself. Malayo ang table niya sa amin pero napapansin ko pa rin ang pagtingin niya.

“Huh? Sino?”

Umiling naman ako kaagad. “It's nothing. Let's just eat. Nagugutom na ako.” I chuckled a bit.

He gave me utensils and some tissues. Napangiti pa ako nang iabot niya sa akin ang drink.

“I love their chicken here,” sabi niya nang magsimulang kumain. “Ang tagal kong hindi nakakain dito. Next time naman, I'll bring you to the most romantic restaurant here in Manila. I'll make a reservation for us..”

I nodded my head while eating the steak. I'm about to answer him when his phone rang. Again, he looked at me.

“Go ahead.” I smiled even if I'm now a bit pissed.

He immediately stood up to answer the call. I lost my appetite but I have to finish my food. Nagulat naman ako nang lumapit na sa akin ang lalaking tinitingnan ako kanina.

“What's wrong, mister?” I asked when he's just in front of me — staring like I'm the most beautiful woman here.

“Ma'am Alindra? Kayo ba ‘yan? Ang ganda niyo pa rin..”

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko. I looked at his appearance. He has this slightly curled brown hair. He also has fair skin. He's not familiar but he knows me, too.

“Wait, do I know you?”

Magsasalita pa sana siya nang lumapit bigla si Rylan sa table namin. He looks annoyed that he didn't notice the guy that I was talking to.

“Our secretary called. May emergency raw sa office. She said that I need to be there immediately,” he told me as he sighed sharply.

“At this hour?”

“Yeah. Dad's not there kaya---”

“Then, you should go now,” I cut him off and sipped on my drink. “I'll be fine here. Go now, Ry. It's more important..”

“But you're the most important.” Now, he looks so guilty.

“Maiinis lang ako sa ‘yo kapag hindi ka pa pumunta ngayon..”

Kaagad naman siyang tumayo saka hinalikan ako saka noo. “Sorry. I promise next time, I won't be busy anymore. I'll bring you to my favorite resto..”

“Just do it, Ry.” I smiled, weakly.

He just nodded and smiled, too after he kissed me again. I looked at him while he's walking away from me. Now, I totally lost my appetite. Ayaw ko nang kumain. I'm getting more pissed but it's actually fine that he left kaysa naman magpanggap ako na maganda ang mood ko ngayon.

Natigilan naman ako nang mapansing nasa tabi ko pa pala ang lalaki. I sighed and looked away. “Umalis na ang boyfriend ko. Ngayon sabihin mo sa akin.. of course, you know me. It's obvious. But do I know you? Have we met before? Napansin kong kanina mo pa ako tinitingnan..”

Tumingin naman ako sa kaniya nang hindi siya sumagot. Tumaas pa ang kilay ko.

“Hindi.. hindi mo ako kilala,” sagot niya. “But I suggest na pumunta ka sa Puricia Grittonia. Maganda ro'n. Magugustuhan mo..”

I blinked many times when I heard that place again. I know that we have properties there but I didn't go there before. Ang alam ko lang, hometown iyon nina Dad. I just shrugged when he quickly left after he said that.

It's getting more weird now. Mas lalo tuloy akong napapaisip sa mga sinabi niya.

What's really going on?

... ... ...