Chapter 25

Weeks have quickly passed. Hindi na ulit kami nagkausap ni Sir Yves. The last time that we had talked was when we were inside his office. That's a good thing, though. Lalo pa at may pamilya na siya. May boyfriend din ako.

Plus the fact that he's a professor and I'm his student. It's really a good thing that we lost our connection. Hindi ko siya nakikita sa condo. Also in our university. Sir Jameson is back after a few weeks of being sick and now Sir Yves is absent for the past few days.

I don't know the reason and I don't want to know.

Hindi sa hinahanap siya ng mata ko. I'm just concerned dahil ma-l-late kami sa lessons. There's also no substitute for him yet.

I don't want to see him, too 'cause he's really bothering me. It's not that I'm assuming things like he's trying to hit on me or something more than that. 'Yon ang pinapakita niya sa akin. Especially the way he stares at me during our class. It's unexplainable because it seems like he's hypnotizing me and his gazes are very familiar.

Ang mga titig niya.. parang tumatagos pa sa kaluluwa ko.

“Lindra! Sabi ko what's your order!”

I just stopped from thinking when I heard Milan's voice. I realized that we're currently here at the cafeteria at o-order na sila ng foods.

“Just ham sandwich and apple juice,” sabi ko at lumingon-lingon sa paligid.

“Kanina ka pa tinatanong niyan ni Milan, gaga ka!” Natatawang sabi ni Erica na kasama rin pala namin. I didn't notice her a while ago. “Kanina ka pa tulala saka parang may hinahanap. Anong mayro'n---”

I rolled my eyes at her. “Come on, Erica. Maganda na ang umaga ko. Don't ruin it.”

She chuckled again. “Kung hinahanap mo 'yong professor na sinasabi mo no'ng nakaraan.. nag-file daw ng leave sabi ng isa kong tropa.”

“He filed a leave? And the reason?" tanong ko. Mas lumapit pa ako sa kaniya. I'm almost beside her dahil nasa counter si Milan at wala sa kaniyang upuan.

“Hindi ko alam. Oh, bakit ka interesado?” Nakangisi pa siya.

“I'm not! I'm just curious. Ilang araw na siyang walang class sa amin..”

Naningkit naman ang mata niya sa akin at parang may iniisip na kakaiba. Ang tagal dumating ni Milan! Erica is pissing me off!

“Tandaan mo.. may boyfriend ka, Alindra. Lagot ka kay Rachel kapag ginago mo Kuya niyan. Tingnan mo lang.”

Natigilan ako sa sinabi niya. Although, I don't have any plans to cheat on Rylan with that professor, I became nervous with what Erica said for some unknown reasons.

Nakakainis! Kahit wala ang lalaking 'yon, ginugulo pa rin ako!

Inirapan ko naman si Erica. “The hell are you saying? That professor is just surely playing with me---”

“Gaga ka, ingay mo!” Nanlalaki ang mata ni Erica pero natatawa. “Ay so nilalandi ka talaga no'n? Sige nga, sabayan mo trip no'n. Ano, deal?”

“I'm too busy, Erica. Kalokohan lang ‘yan,” I lazily told her.

“Lalandiin mo lang pabalik! 'Wag ka lang papahalata! Baka malaman ni Kuya Rylan at Rachel!”

She even laughed loudly that made me more irritated. Umiling-iling na lang ako sa kabaliwan niya.

Oh my God! I think I need Milan right now just to get rid of my crazy friend — Erica. I mean, yes they're all crazy but Erica is the craziest! Nahawa na rin yata ako sa kanila!

“Hey, girls! Si Rachel!” Speaking of Milan.

She handed me her phone and I saw that Rachel is requesting for a video call. I immediately answered it.

“Hi! Kumusta na kayo diyan? I miss you guys so much!” I noticed that Rachel is inside the boutique. “I'm with my co-models here oh!”

Pinakita niya sa amin ang mga kasama niya. They're all gorgeous at ang iba pa roon ay sikat pa sa America. I suddenly want to follow Rachel there.. only if I can.

“We're fine here,” tipid kong sagot saka ngumiti nang kaunti.

Inagaw naman ni Erica ang phone at iniharap sa kaniya. “Hoy, 'te. Itong si Alindra yata may balak sabihin..”

”Oh, what's that?”

My eyes grew wider after Erica said that. Kaagad naman akong lumapit sa kaniya para magpakita kay Rachel.

“I-It's nothing,” I answered and shook my head. “Your brother and I just went on a date last time. Binisita ko rin ang Dad mo. Good thing that he finally recovered.”

Nagkatinginan kami ni Erica. Masama ko siyang tiningnan. Oh no. Of course, she won't tell about it to Rachel. I know that she's crazy but not to the point that she'll ruin our friendship.

I'm confident. Kinakabahan lang ako.

“Oo nga eh. Worried kami ni Mommy rito no'ng inatake si Daddy. Buti na lang pala, nandiyan si Kuya,” nakangiting sabi ni Rachel. Maya't-maya rin ang pakikipag-usap niya sa mga kasama.

Her skin became fairer than before.

Napansin kong nilapag na ni Milan ang orders namin. Kinakausap pa rin kami ni Rachel about random stuffs. Kinukuwento niya rin ang kanilang California tour last time.

“Of course, maraming hot!” she giggled. ”Nakaka-miss mag-boy hunting with you! Si Kuya kasi eh! He should let you go!”

Natawa naman ako sa sinabi niya. “You're crazy. Baka magalit pa ang Kuya mo..”

“He won't! Pero magagalit ako kapag pinagpalit mo si Kuya ha!”

I awkwardly laughed after that. Erica and I both looked at each other. Inirapan ko naman siya. Rachel already ended the call after she said goodbye to us. Magsusukat pa raw sila ng damit for an upcoming event there.

I suddenly miss our bondings together..

. . .

“Anak, have you ever met a person.. that is stranger to you but familiar at the same time?”

Natigil ako sa paglalagay ng mayonnaise sa vegetable salad nang biglang magsalita si Mom. She requested for this when she got here. Naabutan ko siyang naghihintay sa labas ng unit ko kanina.

I suddenly remembered Sir Yves upon hearing those words from her. But should I tell her the truth?

Tiningnan ko si Mom at bumuntong-hininga. “Yes, Mom. Actually.. a lot of times already.”

I noticed that she became suddenly interested. Tumayo pa siya at tumapat sa akin.

“A lot of times?” Nakakunot ang noo niya. “Did they ask your name? Saan sila nanggaling? Were they bothering you or something?”

“Of course, they asked my name but I don't know where they came from. I'm not that interested sa kanila. Wait, saan 'to nanggagaling, Mom?”

Uminom siya sa wine na hindi ko napansing kinuha niya pala. “I think you better stay in our mansion again..”

“W-What? Wait, Mom.. we already agreed---”

“It's too dangerous for you to stay here alone!” Nagulat ako sa biglang pagtaas ng boses niya. “Hindi kami.. sanay ng Daddy mo na hindi ka kasama sa mansion. It's safer for you to stay with us kaysa naman dito na mag-isa ka.”

I frustratedly sighed. “But Mom, Tita Lauren and Lexy is also here in this building! You're just paranoid! I'm safe here!”

Binitawan naman niya ang wine glass at lumapit sa akin. She looks more calm now unlike a while ago. ”I just want the best for you, Alindra..”

“This is the best for me, Mom. Gusto ko lang hindi mag-depend sa inyo. Look at me now. I can wash the dishes, do the laundry and clean my room!”

She just stared at me while slightly leaning on the counter. She seems very worried nang malaman niya ang sinabi ko kanina. Lexy probably told my mother about the things that I said to her last time that's why Mom is acting weird today.

“Just don't go anywhere and be safe. 'Wag kang makikipagkilala kahit kanino..”

I sighed and nodded. “Just lock the door when you leave.”

Pumasok na ako sa room ko. I became upset about that. She's not usually paranoid. Before, she always lets me have more friends. Pinapayagan niya rin akong mag-night out although I often escape from them just to go at the bar. My mother is strict but she's not really like this — that she'll stop me from getting more friends.

She even wants me to stay in the mansion again!

Hinayaan ko munang mag-stay si Mom sa labas hanggang sa kumatok siya. I don't want to get up and open the door to face her.

“Alindra, hija. I'll go now. Take care huh?”

I didn't respond. I just closed my eyes as thoughts ran into my mind. Maybe I should unwind sometimes after the semi finals pero masyado pang malayo iyon. I just really want these negative and fucked up thoughts away from my mind.

Pakiramdam ko.. may kulang pa rin. May mali palagi pero wala naman!

Nagulat naman ako nang biglang mag-ring ang phone ko. An unregistered number is calling me.

“Hello? Who's this?” bungad ko nang masagot ang tawag.

I waited for the other line's response but I didn't hear any. I'm just hearing sighs and some unrecognizable sounds.

“Erica? Are you pranking me? Nagpapahinga ako!”

Kumunot naman ang noo ko nang biglang mamatay ang tawag. Maybe it's just Erica who called me.

I don't know why I suddenly thought of my professor. Pero nagtataka akong hindi ako nakaramdam ng inis nang bigla siyang maalala. Dahan-dahan kong binuksan ang pinto para makalabas at silipin ang kaniyang unit.

I think he's not there yet. I don't know where he is. I suddenly want to feel his annoying presence right now. Naalala ko bigla ang katawan niya nang makapasok sa unit niya. I leaned on the door while imagining his figure. He's hot, alright. He's not that bulky but not also skinny. Sakto lang para..

Oh my God! Ano ba 'tong nangyayari sa akin?

You already have a boyfriend, Alindra! Ano ba?!

On the next day, I think I'm still lucky 'cause Sir Yves didn't attend his subject yet. Ayon sa mga ilang kakilala, naka-leave pa rin daw ang lalaking 'yon. As if I care. I shouldn't really care.

Nagtaka naman ako nang maraming tao ang nakaharang sa hallway. It seems like there's an important announcement that I don't know yet.

“What's with the commotion?” nakataas ang kilay kong tanong kay Josh nang makita siya.

He's looking at the papers on the wall. Inayos ko naman ang pagkakahawak sa mga libro bago ko lapitan ang mga 'yon.

“We'll visit the Camper's Sanctuary next week. It's required bago mag-semi finals.” Nagkibit-balikat pa siya. “Sabi nila maganda raw do'n. Hindi ko lang alam kung bakit kailangan pang mag-camp. It's very highschool, you know..”

I looked at the pictures of the place that he's saying. I know that place. We've been there before and the landscapes there are absolutely wonderful. Hindi lang 'yon ordinaryong campsite. There are some wild animals around according to the texts behind the pictures and it's dangerous pero may limitation naman ang pwede puntahan ng mga campers. It's a bit far from the city, too.

I'm now thrilled because of the place.

“Tuwang-tuwa ka yata? May mga mababangis na hayop nga raw oh!” Josh's lips are slightly twitched.

“Well, it excites me more. Knowing na pwedeng may unexpected na mangyari while we're at the campsite..”

Ngumiwi ulit sa akin si Josh. “Ganda mo sana eh..”

I just rolled my eyes at him after that. I really love challenges. Maybe I should prepare the stuffs later that I'll bring to the campsite. Hindi ko alam kung anong saktong dahilan kung bakit tuwang-tuwa ako sa idea na mag-c-camping kami.

When it's finally dismissal and Sir Yves didn't really show up to us that I don't really care — Erica and Milan invited me to go to the nearest coffee shop. Mag-re-review daw sila. Pumunta naman ako kaagad dahil minsan lang mag-review ang dalawa.

“What's up? Bakit naisipan niyong mag-review today?” I smirked as I sipped on my vanilla latte when I got it.

I laughed after seeing Erica's frustrated face. Ganoon din si Milan. They're trying hard to read and flip the pages of the thick book that they're holding.

“Bwisit kasi 'yong matanda naming professor! 'Yong terror! 'Yong panot!” she even described their professor. I think it's Sir Ramirez. “Lagi kaming tinatanong pagtapos ng lesson niya! 'Pag hindi nakasagot, namamahiya ang gago!”

Nilakihan ko siya ng mata dahil baka may marinig sa kaniya. Napapatingin pa sa amin ang ibang customer sa sobrang ingay niya.

“This is so mahirap! Hindi ko ma-memorize lahat!” Milan complained.

“Thank God, he's not one of our professors..”

“Pasalamat ka talaga! Nakakainis 'yang si Panot eh!”

Natawa ako sa reaction ni Erica. She looks like a really mad man because of her boyish moves.

Tinaasan ko naman siya ng kilay nang tumigil siya sa binabasa at tumingin sa akin. “What?”

“Balita ko wala pa rin daw.” Tumaas-taas pa ang kilay niya. I don't know what she's saying at first but based on the way she looks — I'm sure that she's referring to Sir Yves. “'Pag nilandi ka pa niyan, sunggaban mo na!”

“Hi, girls! Anong pinag-uusapan niyo?”

Nanlaki ang mga mata namin nang biglang dumating si Rylan. Milan didn't notice him because she's still busy reading their textbook.

Naiilang na ngumiti naman si Erica. “Ay, wala! Pinag-uusapan lang namin na kapag may lumandi sa kaniya, 'wag niyang pansinin kasi may boyfriend na siya. 'Di ba, 'te?”

Pinanlakihan pa niya ako ng mata. “Yeah right. As if lalandi ako sa iba..”

“Malay mo sa professor,” Erica said in a low voice. I glared at her because of that. Hindi naman 'yon narinig ni Rylan.

She really didn't stop from pissing me off especially when I told her about Sir Yves! And her reaction! Freak, nakakainis! Erica is forcing me to flirt with my professor and seduce him dahil katulad ko, gusto rin niya ng thrill!

“Sit down, Ry. What do you want?” sabi ko kay Rylan. “Bakit ka pala nandito? You don't have a work?”

Naupo naman siya sa tabi namin.

“Oh! Hi, Kuya Ry! You're here pala!”

Rylan just smiled at her and looked at me. “Actually, may meeting pa ako by 2 PM. I just went here to bring you snacks. May nagsabi sa aking nandito ka raw..”

Napalingon naman ako sa gilid ko nang may mapansin. The walls of the coffee shop are transparent so I can clearly see the people outside. I thought it was Sir Yves that I saw a while ago but I remembered that he's still not here yet at baka namalik-mata lang ako. Lumilipad na naman ang isip ko na hindi ko na magawang pansinin pa si Rylan at mga sinasabi niya.

“Stop flirting with my boyfriend..”

I'm completely shocked when someone whispered right on my ear. Napansin 'yon ni Rylan kaya kaagad siyang tumayo.

“Hey, ano ‘yon?” He looks worried while looking at me.

Nilingon ko naman ang babae. Nakatingin pa rin siya sa akin kahit naglalakad na papunta sa counter.

“May binulong lang siya. It's nothing important,” I assured them with a smile. Lalo na kay Erica na nagiging war freak na naman.

She almost asked the girl why she did that. Mabuti at napigilan namin dahil kung ano pa ang masabi niya. I can't blame them for acting like that. I was so shocked, too! Masama pa ang tingin niya sa akin!

What did she say? That I should stop flirting with her boyfriend? Could that be Sir Yves' girlfriend? But she's also a student. Hindi naman pwede 'yon!

I looked at the girl but she's not around anymore. Now, I'm bothered even more.

... ... ...