"Anne, may assignment ka na sa literature?" tanong ko. We have two hours vacant before another class resumes, and it's a good thing since I almost forgot to do my assignment.

"Yes, gusto mong mangopya?" Natawa ako sa tnaong niya. I immediately copied her assignment in secrecy because my classmates are so judgmental. They will definitely question my intelligence if they see me copying others' work. Did they even know the difference between being smart and hardworking? Anyway, I just sit in the corner of the room and focus on rephrasing my best friend's work. This is the hidden technique that most students use when in a desperate situation. I managed to finish my homework immediately.

Tinatawanan naman ako ni Anne dahil sa ginawa ko.

"Hey, why do you look so blooming today?" hirit niya. Himala. Hindi yata siya busy ngayon at may oras kaming magchikahan.

"What do you mean by blooming? I felt so haggard today since I did illegal, copying of your work."

"That's not illegal because I gave you my permission to do so."

Napangiti ako. "You're such an angel."

"I know, right? But really, you seem so different today. May hindi ba ako alam kung bakit parang mukha kang masaya at glowing? Come one, what is it?" She smiles, looking excited about what I was about to say.

Bigla kong naalala 'yong pag-uusap namin ni Jhon Rey at hindi ko na naiwasang mapangiting muli. "Look! Ngumingiti ka na naman!"

I scratched the back of my ear. "Wala naman. It was just Jhon Rey invited me to his birthday party," I announced.

Her expression changes. "Really? He did? And what did you say? Umoo ka?"

"Oo. Okay lang naman 'di ba? Na pumunta ako?"

Nagkaroon ako ng pag-aalangan sa naging reaksyon at mga tanong niya.

"Hmm... nasa sa iyo naman. You said you were invited, mas makabubuti ngang pumunta ka, but let me remind you what you told me before: that you were going to ignore him after the sociology project. And since it was canceled, that must be a sign from the universe that you should start ignoring him now so you can live peacefully without thinking about your father when he learned about this... Hindi ka ba natatakot sa papa mo?"

"Natatakot but this might be the last, Anne. Besides, my things are still in his unit, and I should also use this opportunity to get the things I left."

"Huwag mo na akong kumbinsihin. I know who you are, Sheen. You're just using that as an excuse. Gusto mo talagang pumunta, 'no? Pero duda ako sa sinasabi mong last na 'to dahil kapag ikaw na-fall, hindi ka na titigil."

"Then, should I not go?"

"You already have your answer, bakit mo pa ako tiantanong? Kahit sabihin kong huwag, pupunta ka pa rin. Siguro nga okay lang since ikakasal ka na rin naman sa ex mo. Baka nga mas mabuting sulitin mo na," saad niya. "Kailan ba?"

"This weekend," I responded.

"I see." Tumango-tango siya. "Sana lang ay hindi malaman ng dad mo ang tungkol dito at sana walang mangyaring masama. If coming to that party will make you at ease, then so be it. Who knows? If he can change your fate and sabotage your wedding," nakangisi niyang sabi. Mas lalo ko tuloy gustong pumunta kay Jhon Rey pero alam ko namang kahit gustuhin niyang tulungan ako, hindi niya ako matutulungan pagdating dito.

"No one can change my fate without my father's permission."

Remembering my marriage suddenly made me feel bad. Every time I get to remember my ending being with the guy I don't like, it feels like I'm dying.

Anne and I both looked at each other when Jhon Rey arrived in the room. Agad akong nawalan ng hininga. Pinag-uusapan palang namin siya pero para siyang may pakiramdam, na naririnig ako sa tuwing kailangan ko ng tulong.

Wala talagang makakatalo sa dating niya. Malakas. Kayang patahimikin ang buong klase sa bawat paghakbang ng kaniyang mga paa.

"Speaking of the devil, go back to your seat para naman mawala 'yang pagkalugmok mo."

Gusto kong matawa pero paano? Inaamin ko, napapasaya ako ni Jhon Rey sa mga dahilang hindi ko alam. Sandali palang kaming nagkakasama, isang beses na nagdampi ang mga labi, nakita ang katawan ng isa't isa pero hindi ko pa rin masabi na kilala ko na siya. Considering that the sociology project that was supposed to be the reason or way for us to be closer to each other got interrupted.

I almost slapped myself, especially when I heard that in my mind. I thought I wanted all of this fantasy to stop; why do I still seem to regret it?

I sighed, trying to bring myself back to reality. Hindi ko na talaga maintindihan ang sarili ko. Alam kong magagalit sa akin ang ama ko kapag ipinagpatuloy ko pa pero hindi ko naman mapigilan ang sarili kong lumapit pa kay Jhon Rey na para bang mayroon sa loob ko na humihila sa kaniya.

Isang malaking buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan ko. Alright, Sheen. This is going to be the last time. Kaya pigilan mo na ang sarili mo. I will let you attend that birthday party, but that would be the last, and you will never ever try to interact with him again, okay? By the time your father finds out you're still getting close to him, you might not only be unable to see him but the whole world.

"Sheen, have you done your assignment in literature yet?" tanong ni Jhon Rey na hindi ko inaasahan.

"Huh? May assignment ba tayo sa literature?" maang-maangan kong tanong kahit na katatapos ko lang gawin ang literature assignment ko na kinopya ko kay Anne. What the hell is this? Why did I say that?

I saw Anne looking at me. "H-hindi pa ako nakakagawa."

Jhon Rey nods as he sits beside me. I immediately hid in my bag the assignment I did a while ago.

"Really? Then, do you want us to work together? I've been a bit busy at home, so I haven't been able to do mine."

"M-me too," I proclaimed. I saw how Anne Marie rolled her eyes while shaking her head. Sorry, girl. I should grab this opportunity. This might be the last.

And there we did our assignment together. I am convinced that I am really crazy because what I wrote earlier is what I'm writing again. Mabuti na lang at naalala ko pa 'yong mga sagot na kinopya ko kanina kay Anne. It seems like being smart and hardworking work together now.

Napatigil ako nang makita ko si Jhunnel na nakatingin sa amin. Nasa tapat siya ng upuan kung saan kasalukuyang nakaupo si Jhon Rey, sa tabi ko.

"That's my seat," Jhunel claimed.

"That's where Professor Magalona made him sit," I interrupted.

"But he's not our professor in the next class, so technically, I'm the one sitting there," saad niya.

Tumayo si Jhon Rey sa pag-aakala kong lilipat na siya pero inalis niya lang 'yong upuang katabi ko at ipinalit ang upuan niyang kanina ay nasa likod ko. "Okay na?" tanong ni Jhon Rey na ikinabanas ni Jhunel.

"Tang ina." I was surprised when Jhunel pushed him. "Ginagago mo ba ako?" Nag-aaway na naman ba sila?

Jhon Rey just grinned and fixed his clothes. "Depende. Gago ka ba?" banat niya.

Both of their faces showed annoyance, so I decided to stop them. Ayoko nang magkaroon na naman ng malaking gulo at mapatawag kami sa guidance councilor.

"Tama na... Jhon Rey, maybe you should go back to your seat first," utos ko. Mabuti naman at sinunod niya ako at hindi na nagprotesta pa. Hindi ko gustong madamay na naman siya sa gulo na ako ang dahilan.

I just sat down. I saw Anne's reaction as if she was wondering what happened and why the two were fighting. I just shrugged.

I took a deep breath and turned to Jhon Rey to check on him. Nakatitig lang siya at muntik na akong mawalan ng hininga dahil sa paraan ng pagtitig sa akin nang matagal.

"Galit ka ba?" tanong ko nang makasabay ko si Jhon Rey sa paglalakad papunta sa cafeteria. It was lunchtime, and then, Anne disappeared from my sight again, kaya naman itong si Jhon Rey ang kasama ko.

"No," deretsong sagot niya na mas malamig pa sa yelo. Nanlamig kaagad ako.

"Then, why are you being like this? You're not looking me in the eyes. Is there something wrong that I did?"

He didn't answer until we got our food. We sat at the empty table.

"Is it because I made you move to the seat behind me?" pangungulit kong tanong na hindi niya pa rin sinagot.

I sighed and put down my food. "I won't eat until you talk to me." I tried, to see if he cares about me, but he doesn't seem to.

"Then don't eat."

Napalunok ako at sandaling napatitig sa kaniya. Iiling-iling akong nakaramdam ng gutom. Kung ayaw niya akong kausapin, hindi ko na siya pipilitin. Kakain na lang ako.

I started eating in front of him. I drank water after eating my food quickly.

I looked at him and saw him staring at me as if he couldn't believe that I finished my food without a bug. "Why?" I snapped.

"Nothing." He also drank his water and stood up. Is he having tantrums? Why the hell is he acting this way? Sinundan ko siya.

Nagulat na lang ako nang may biglang humablot ng kamay ko at hinila ako palayo kay Jhon Rey. Hinatak niya ako papunta sa likod ng cafeteria.

I was shocked when I saw Jhunel in front of me. My eyebrows met out of annoyance.

Ano na naman bang kailangan niya?