˚ ༘✎┊Kabanata 2ˎˊ˗⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

─── Astonishing Efforts

Veritable quietude scene succeeding from the celestial scintillate conversant to the gloomy skies.

What was that? rather, Who was that?

Agad kong kinuha ang airpods ko, at muling pinakinggan ito. Pa-ulit ulit ko itong pinakikinggan. Zilch changed. It was all-entirety similar.

Mismatch and contradictory thoughts ruled my mind. Some of which is, He is part of the group who renovates our home, and badly needed the papers for it. 

"You're really judgemental na, Sapphire!" at humiga.

Sunlight went upon my gaze as I opened my eyes. Hinawi ko ang aking blinds and forthwith- a yellow almost like orange hues completed the blazing sun. I was giddily exuberant about the day.

"Good Morning, Nanay!" I greeted as I walked into the dining room.

I looked unto Nanay Denis, I always call her Nanay, kasi bukod kay Mommy Beth siya ang tumayong Nanay ko.

"Good Morning, Sapphire! Kain ka na," Nanay smiled habang naghahain ng pagkain.

"Sorry po, Nanay, I didn't cook today," agad na naalala ko.

"Ikaw talaga, Sapphire. 'Di mo ito obligasyon," Nanay assured me.

"'Tsaka baka mamaya tanggalan ako ng trabaho ni Donato!" Nanay and I laughed.

Speaking of Papa... "Nanay, saan po si Papa?" I asked anticipating he'll drop by.

"Wala ang Papa mo Sapphire, pumunta siya dito kaninang umaga mga alas kwatro, mag a-alis sais na, oh," Nanay responded while looking at her watch.

"Okay, po, Nanay," I said as I tasted another desolation.

"Ah! wala pala si Manong Ram at Roel. Si Boyet na muna mag hahatid sa'yo," dagdag ni Nanay. Tumingala siya sa akin at nakita agad ang matamlay kong mga mata.

"Wag ka mag alala Sapph, nag iwan ang Papa mo sa office niya nang mga pasalubong," wika niya habang hinahagod ang likod ko.

I smiled. I don't want Nanay to stress over me. 

My eyes traveled outwards. My eyes had a glimpse of students walking- and that hit me, They weren't like me. They were poor, impecunious to even pay for a ride.

See? Sapphire, your papa's working hard for your warmth and comfortability. My profound notions were put to an end when our car stopped in an instant.

"Sorry, Sapph, traffic..." Manong Boyet apologized.

"Okay lang, Manong..." I politely smiled.

Without any means of the scheme, I saw two girls walking on a rigid pavement.

"Ate Charm, beke naman bagalan mo naman, sakit na kaya ng paa ko..." she crouched to see her foot with a cut.

"Sabi ko naman sa'yo h'wag gastusin ang pera, 'yan tuloy..." umupo si Charm at may sinabi, pagkatapos binuhat ang ading niya.

In a lightning, a bright bulb popped in my mind. "Manong Boyet pwede po bang pakitabi ang sasakyan? Tulungan natin 'yung dalawa."

Tinabi naman agad ito ni Manong Boyet.

I rolled the window. "Hello! kailangan niyo po ba tulong?" I asked.

"Opo, ate!" agad na sambit nung mas bata.

"Okay, lang po kami. Salamat po." Charm smiled slowly before another step was taken.

"Ate Sapphire?! 'Yung model ate, oh!" kulit niya sa kapatid sabay turo sa akin.

"Ako po si Vivienne, Ma'am!" ani nung mas bata.

I stepped outside after mentioning the word 'Ma'am'. I loathe the locution of 'Ma'am'; kasi for all I know, respects shouldn't be given based on the status of a person, instead of on how they act, a solitary or not, pero I shouldn't just judge them, I never experienced a poverty-stricken life.

"I'm Althaia," I waved. Anticipation was present in my eyes- not wanting to be known.

"Charm," ani n'ya at kinamayan ang kamay ko.

"Ate kayo po 'yung model 'di ba? May Althaia din po 'yung pangalan n'ya!"

"Viv!" pangaral ni Ate Charm.

"Okay lang," I swiftly smiled, "Opo, ako po 'yung model... Pa'no mo nalaman?" curiosity revolved my mind.

Nagkwento s'ya nang nagkwento. Vivienne is verbose when it comes to her blatherings- like Louisse.

"Ate Sapphire, pa'no po kayo nag model? Gusto ko din po sana maging tulad ninyo, kaya lang singer naman," nakapalumbabang sabi ni Vivienne.

"You have to take every opportunity as much as possible. Auditions, Castings, everything!" paunang bungad ko.

"Wear simple clothes when auditioning, like white t-shirt and jeans... Pwe-pwede kitang pahiraman nito!" I smiled.

I gave Vivienne some insight and erudition when auditioning. She caught up pretty fast- a vehement girl. I also told her that it is hard to be a singer but that does not stop her to be one.

"Magkikita po ba tayo muli?" tanong ko, habang nilalagyan ng betadine ang sugat ni Vivienne.

"Hindi na ate! Lilipat na po kasi kami..." nakasimangot na tugon ni Vivienne.

Kumaway sila nang makababa sila nang sasakyan.

"Salamat ulit, Sapphire!" ngumingiting kumaway si Charm.

"Thank you po, ate! Ba-bye! Sana magkita po tayo muli!" sabi ni Vivienne habang kumakaway.

"Thank you, Manong Boyet!" pagpapasalamat ko ng makarating sa school, "Ingat sa pag dra-drive!" pagpapaalala ko.

Napatigil ako sa pagbaba at napabaling kay Manong. "Manong Boyet, bumili po ako ng Vitamins kahapon, narinig ko kasi kay Manang Elda na nanghihina po kayo..." 

"Ah! Oo nga pala... Nakalapag po sa lamesa 'yon," dagdag ko at bumaba na.

"Hi, Manong Guard! Mamaya po magdadala ako ng pagkain! Medyo napadami ang pi-nack na lunch ni Nanay!" ngumiti ako. 'Di nagatubiling nagpasalamat si Manong Guard.

I greeted some teachers walking by... "Morning po, Miss divine!"

"Good morning, Ms. Merritt," walang pakialam na wika ni Miss Divine.

Humakbang ako at nag greet pa ng ibang administators ng school... "Ah, Ms. Merritt!" tawag sa'kin na nagpabaling sa kanya uli. "Is it ok for you to bring this upstairs? Room of Mister Roi," utos ni Miss.

I looked at my watch, 'di pa naman ako late.

"-And make sure makakapunta ito sa kanya nang maayos," dagdag nito.

"Sure po, Miss," I reassured.

I sauntered. I waved my hands to Louisse- a femininity and mist waft to my nostrils. I omitted our classroom, and Louisse being Louisse- another creasing forehead was shown to express her hopelessly muddle.

"Hoy gaga! Saan ka pupunta doon room natin, oh?" tawa ni Louisse, agad n'ya akong inakabayan.

"May inutos, si Miss Divine," I showed my smile sabay lahad ng mga papeles.

"Samahan mo ako... kung okay lang..." I pouted. "Please?" I beseeched.

"Shunga! Ano ako alalay mo?" humagalpak ang tawa nito sa mahabang pasilyo. 

She heaved for a pregnant pause. "Teka sa'n ba 'yan? her frame of mind changes into an elation.

"Sa Room ni Mister Roi. 10-Explorers," I mumbled.

"Shuta! May gwapo d'on! Sama mo na'ko!" pagmamakaawa n'ya. She even endevoured to peek at the papers agad ko itong nilayo.

"Akala ko ba... "Gaga kang bata ka! Grade 10 palang tayo!"" I said as I mimicked her.

"Oo na!" humalukipkip siya.

"Pero sama pa rin ako, please..." she displayed her puppy eyes.

"You know that I'll never say no to you..." I smiled when I saw her pouting. 

Louisse entered the classroom with reliance on her charms. While I was busy traveling my eyes around, I never saw any remark of Mister Roi.

"Louisse wala naman si Mister Ro-" My mouth stopped nung inangat ko ang mata ko sa tabi ko. Louisse was not on my side.

"Looking for someone?" she tilted her head.

A beautiful blue and purple highlights complemented her jet black straight almost like wavy hair. She applied a gloss on her pink and rosy sarcastic lips. She crossed her arms, and that's when I noticed she was very fair- a snow hypopigmented skin, converse to my morena skin. An intimidating presence was surrounding her.

"S-Si... Mister R-Roi sana," utal utal kong sabi.

"Don't stutter I won't eat you," She said in a daunting tone. 

"Oh sorry! Didn't mean to offend you! My name is Miracle," she smiled sweetly.

I nodded when I realized she's the girl everyone loathes. 

"Sapphire," I returned a smile to her. 

She then tilted her head to examine me, from the eyes to smiles to every inch and bit of me. She sarcastically smiled and her tongue clicked.

She changed her sarcastic smile to a normal one, "Are you looking for Mister? He's absent for today. I think... He has like a seminar ata, you can give it though to our substitute prof.

"Oh, okay! Sino ba sub-prof niyo?" I asked carefully.

"Si Mister Alvarez," she untied her wrapped arms to look at her extortionate watch. 

"You are gonna be late, I can help you. Ibibigay ko kay Mister Alvarez as soon as he attends our class," she said reassuring me.

Her angelic eyes drove my hands to give it to her. I ran away from her to look for Louisse. 

"Uh... Hey! I am really sorry for the disturbance, but Louisse and I have to go..." I apologize to the guy Louisse was talking with.

"Keith, I'll go ahead," she said smiling.

"So... Who's that?" mangha kong tanong. 

"Enebe kenekeleg eke," pabebeng sagot niya.

Kaagad kong kinurot ang tagiliran niya.

"Hmm... It's really nice na may gusto ka, but I don't think It's right to have one at this age," I lightly scolded her.

"'Tsaka halos lahat ng mga lalaki 'di matino..." I licked my lips at the realization.

"Oo na... type ko kasi yung mga nag gi-gitara tulad niya," asik niya.

"I'm not in any place to say this... but I don't like him for you, Louisse. I feel negative vibes off of him," I honestly pin-pointed.

Tumango naman si Louisse, "Gaga! 'di ko naintindihan lahat ng sinabi mo! ba't ka ba kasi nag english?" tawa n'ya, "Char!"

"Okay! 'pag ikaw sinagot mo 'yan and nag break ka'yo, 'di ka magkakaroon ng jowa hanggang college mo! Sinusumpa 'ko 'yan!" pagbabala na may halong biro sa aking kaibigan.

A big shadow of a man grabbed my bag from me- flabbergast feeling. Louisse screamed for help.

"Tulo-" agad naman itong tinakpan ng lalaki.

"Gago, Seus! Akala ko naman ninakawan na si Sapphire!"

"Eh, tinutulungan ko lang!" pag de-depensa naman ni Seus.

I giggled- radiating a positive feeling, "Para kayong mga bata!" I chuckled under my breath.

"Good morning, Class!" Our prof briskly greeted us.

"Good morning, Mrs. Dorothy!" we responded.

A rested my chin on my fist. My eyes caught a glimpse of the scenery outside the casement-panorama of a halcyon Nueva Vizcaya. Chirping birds reposed on Brobdingnagian greens. Blazing fire sun hitting the horizons- scintillating hot weather. 

"Make sure to retain and understand your lines! I have high hopes in each and every single person here..." she pointed us.

Damien raised his hand, "Mrs. Dorothy, pa'no pag tulad kong hayop? Wala na po bang high hopes?" He laughed at nakipag high five-an pa kina Seus.

A reverberating laugh surrounded our big classroom. I laughed quietly.

"Class!" a warning and reiteration tone. Agad namang humingi nang paumanhin si Damien.

 "Again, I have high hopes being you are one of the best sections here. A graduating group of students in the near future. I expect you to be more than prepared since this will be part of your Performance Task understand?!" Mrs. Dorothy squealed.

I was always busy because of academic works- in the quotidian. I felt drained almost capitulating.

The horizons of the sun made me sweat. It was a normal hot day here in Nueva Vizcaya, which I'm still progressing about in its incompatible. 

"Louisse, may pamaypay ka?" I asked when I was done writing my notes.

"Gagi, ano akala mo sa akin Girl Scout?" she complained.

"Gayahin mo si Sunny, Sapph, naka short hair," Louisse suggested.

"Para magmukha kang si Dora," Jessa joked. I gave my warning eyes to Jessa.

"Hoy! Ikaw ha! Gaga! 'Di naman!" Louisse stood up for Sunny.

"Ang cute kaya! 'tsaka mas mahaba buhok niya kaysa kay Dora!" Napakapamewang niyang sinabi kay Jessa.

"Easy, I'm just kidding," Jessa laughed.

"Hindi magandang biro 'yan, Jessa..." sambit ko.

I never got to ask again when our professor moved the PowerPoint presentation.

"May pang pusod kayo ng buhok? Pwede pahiram?" I requested.

"Pero kung wala... it's okay..." I shrugged my shoulders.

"Wala talaga bes!" kalkal ni Louisse sa bag n'ya.

"Nope, I don't have hair ties. I think nasa locker?" Jessa showed her bag to me.

"Amara," a deep familiar serenity voice. 

"What?" I glared at him. 

"Tingin ka sa banda ni Louisse," He chuckled lightly.

"Amara, Wala akong pantali sa buhok mo... kaya ito nalang panyo ko," baritonong saad n'ya. I felt his deep breaths beneath my ears. He lightly ribboned it, I think he's not familiar with tieing a girl's hair.

Humarap ako sa kanya, nang natapos niyang itinali ang buhok ko. A smile beamed my lips, buti nalang walang kababalaghang ginawa! I think we should celebrate that! 

"Thank you," pagpapasalamat ko. 

"Ano ulit? Miss Amara pa ulit kahit sa tenga ko lang," He lifted his ears to my soft lips. Agad nawala ang kumikinang na mga ngiti ko.

"Hoy! Gagi, parang tanga ka talaga Seus!" saad n'ya nang makita kami ni Seus.

"Hoy, cute kong pinsan," asik naman ni Seus.

"Oh?"

"Parang lang naman!" sabay tawa ni Seus.

I couldn't help to smile once again.

"Hoy, Seus! Ikaw ha! Iniinis mo nanaman ako! Kawawang Louisse!" Louisse hugged herself.

"Susumbong kita kay Tita Chandra at Tito Zeus, sige ka!" she pointed tempestuously at Seus.

"Louisse, Pabayaan mo na 'yang cousin mo. Not worth your time," nakapalumbabang ani Jessa.

"One condition!" she clapped, "I-libre mo ako ng tatlong milktea!" she smiled in an imbecile way.

"Ayan nanaman! Milktea again! You Louisse, ha! You have to lose fats and those milkteas aren't helping!" sipat ni Jessa kay Louisse.

"Hoy, Gagi! Ano ka gym instructor ko?" tawa ni Louisse.

"You are so papansin Louisse!" Jessa irritatingly said. 

Buti nalang at nasa likod kami, kung hindi kanina pa kami napagalitan.

Busily, I opened my locker and arranged my books inside. I blushed when I overheard a deep resounding laugh. 

"Gwapo naman nung tawa," mahina kong sambit.

I looked around- It was from Seus and his friends, with every stare I gave, he returned it. Instantaneously I waved, a ghost smile embraced his rosy lips. He bid goodbyes sa kanyang mga kaibigan. Lumapit ito sa kanyang sariling locker at may inilabas; I took my fixed eyes off of him after that. 

I was about to close my locker; when Seus with a crescent-of-moon smile, with eyes spellbinding that could not ever juxtapose a dreamland. His chiseled jaw and cheekbones were portraiture of an artisan- impeccable as stars lucid and luminous in a gloom. All heed on him- tantalizing the beauty of his face- a whiff of a strong man's fragrance but still with a tint of sweet. I was taken aback when he called me by my name.

"Amara," Seus bestowed me a noteworthy and eerie box. 

"What's inside?" I tilted my head.

"Buksan mo para malaman mo," He winked cutely. 

"Para sa'yo 'yan," He smiled, proudly.

"At... h'wag mo idadala sa classroom, ha? Lalo na 'yang box," and left me, smile still in his face.

My heart is affixed to presents. It may be as lavish as the fluff of clouds or as affordable as a mere stone, beholden from a from with good grace I will take it and treasure it for centuries.

I was like a kid in a candy store when I opened it. A shocking expression hugged my coruscating eyes- one step ahead of my inklings. They were elastic headbands, hair clips, and distinct hair accessories. 

My hands grabbed one and wore it; I twirled when I saw a reflection of mine, "It looks so beautiful on me!" 

With the dashing sprint- I couldn't help but show a broad smile of unfeigned delight; not realizing I was inside our classroom. My eyes dilated when I realized Seus was staring at me- like all my untold secrets are on my face. He walked to me, to me! I hesitantly fixed my hair- halting in every touch. In his Messy hair, he's wearing his school uniform. It was perfectly hugging him until his broad shoulders- the polo looked small in that portion.

He made a close distance, it was not far but not close- I caught myself panicking. Seconds came, no words came from him, I heaved for a deep breath. Agad tumugma ang aming mga mata.

"I-I love the gift," I smiled at him.

"S'yempre ako gumawa. Seus lang sakalam!" He responded. I giggled quietly.

"Ganda 'no?" he smirked, I nodded in an instant.

"Pero mas maganda ang sumusuot." 

As the weeks went by, I just caught myself on the spur of the moment- headbands on my head. It was not something I would do, surprisingly it changed.

"Good day class!" Mister Alvarez shouted.

Mister Alvarez is known for his recits- petrified students almost. 

"Good day, Mister Alvarez!" we greeted back.

"Mister, may recitation ba?" agad na tanong ni Damien.

"Yes," he sighed, "We'll be having some recitation," Mister Alvarez happily smiled at our frantic reactions.

"Ampucha! 'Di ako nagreview!" pabulong na sabi ni Louisse.

"Hoy, pinsan! tulungan mo naman me kahit dito lang. Amp! ba't kasi ngayon!" pagmamakaawa ni Louisse kay Seus. 

"Louisse, you are good at math kaya!" Jessa protested.

"Hindi um-attend si Seus sa review ng Math, kaya paniguradong wala siyang maisasagot," Tumawang saad ni Andre. Bumaling ako kay Seus na seryoso ang mukha.

"Kasalanan mo 'to Seus! Kung anu-ano kasi pinapagawa mo sa'kin kahapon!" humalukipkip si Louisse. 

Mister Alvarez unveiled a bowl that's full of paper, "No coaching!" 

Damien approached Mister Alvarez, "Mister, 'eto na po lahat ng index cards."

Mister Alvarez flickered the index papers, he raised an eyebrow, "Where's your index, Mr. Caden?"

He turned his face to us making a funny face after that he faced our prof, "Ay, hehe," he scratched his head at ibinigay ang idex card n'ya.

"Mister, may bonus po ba kapag nasagutan?" tanong ni Damien.

"Yes. No minus kapag hindi nasagutan," he crossed his arms and leaned over the table.

He shuffled the papers and read the question, "Who is Pythagoras?"

"Ako nalang, Mister!" pagmamakaawa ng iba.

"Mister, I volunteer!" 

He shook his head and picked an index card, "Ms. Andres."

Sunny unwillingly stood up, "Mister, Pythagoras of Samos, is a famous Greek philosopher. He is known for his pythagorean theorem," Sunny answered directly pero nakikita na nahihiya siya.

"Hmm... can I add a question?" he seemed unsatisfied from Sunny's answer. Sunny nodded.

"How did Pythagoras die?" his tongue clicked.

"The cause of his death remains to be a mystery, Mister."

"I'll take that," he tilted his head, "you may now sit down," he paused uplifting the index card, "Ms. Andres."

"Next, Mr. Vergara." My classmates clapped out of happiness.

"Go, Seus!" tili ng mga babae.

"Mister, bigay n'yo sa'kanya pinakamahirap!"

He once again shook his head, "I'm not picking the hardest question. I'm fair."

He flew his eyes to Seus, "but I expect Mr. Vergara to answer this question better than anyone, for you'll be representing our school."

"What do you call a 100-sided polygon?"

Humagalpak ang tawa ni Andre but it was put to an end when he answered it.

"A 100-sided polygon can be called either Hecatontagon or Hectogon," walang pag alinlangang sagot ni Seus.

Napanganga ako ng husto. I couldn't even keep up with the reactions from my classmates' because all my eyes were on him. 

"How can he answer that? It is not even part of our topic! Never had I heard about that!" saad ko sa sarili.

"Another question," sabat ni Mister Alvarez sa sigaw ng mga kaklase. Again Mister Alvarez being an aggrieved professor.

"What is the sum of all hectogon's interior angles?"

My classmates opened their laptops to search for the answer when Seus fearlessly answered.

"17640 degrees, Mister," he answered in a sanguine way.

"Hoy! Gagi! Ba't tumalino ka?!" agad na tanong ni Louisse nang makabalik sa upuan si Seus. Agad nagkaguluhan ang buong klase at lumapit kay Seus; Mister Alvarez requested them to go back to their chairs.

"Dati pa kaya! Seus lang ang malakas!" pagmamalaki ni Seus.

"Tungeks. Baka may kodigo ka or something!" 'di makapaniwalang sabi ni Louisse.

Nagulat ako ng tawagin ako.

"Ms. Merritt," tawag ni Mister Alvarez. He lifted his head to look for me.

"Go, Sapphie!" bulong na suporta ng aking kaibigan.

I stood up at s'ya'y agad nagulat sa katangkadan ko.

"Hmm... Have you ever thought of being a model? You should also join the intrams," ngiti n'ya.

I smiled, "I am, Mister Alvarez," sagot ko.

"Which one? Intrams and model?" he asked carefully. 

"Both po. I was a model before, and I'm joining the intramurals..." 

He paused, "When was the first Electronic Calculator created?"

I knew the answer, but just didn't know what it was particularly, "1950s ba? baka naman 1980s?" wika ko sa sarili.

"What was that, Ms. Merritt?"  

"Mister, I think It was created in the 1960s," I spoke.

"You think?" Mister Alvarez mocked me, "Are you sure?"

"I stand by my answer, Mister," I smiled veraciously.

In the end, I got it correct.

After that, Damien talked to our next prof to give us some time to finish the unfinished businesses, luckily she agreed. Some of my classmates were drowsed in their chairs, while some were busy doing their schoolwork. It was nice to have that once in a while.

"Hoy, ML tayo Seus! Kung ayaw mo pwede naman COD!" Louisse danced cutely infront of him.

"'Di na ako pabuhat, promise!" Louisse remarked.

"Next time, cute kong pinsan," ani niya, mukhang may ginagawa.

"Ngayon ka lang tumanggi ha?" pumunta si Louisse sa likod ni Seus, "Ba't ano ba ginagawa mo?" asik niya habang kinukulit si Seus.

"Drawing? Matagal na 'yan, ah? Ba't ngayon ka lang ulit nag da-drawing?" Louisse questioned.

"Sino 'yan? Baka ako 'yan?" Louisse kept talking.

"Nope! It's not you! Sexy, eh!" Jessa mocked Louisse.

"Gagi sexy naman ako!" sabi ni Louisse habang pinalo-palo si Jessa.

"Ok, ok! Sexy ka na, but that's definitely not you," Jessa speculated.

Our class for the day was adjourned. And just like that weeks came, time really waits for no one.

I closed the car's door at dali-daling kinuha ang pungan. 

"Oh, mukhang stressed ka ata Sapphire?" Manong Ram asked, he turned his distraught eyes to me.

"I didn't thought mahirap din pala dito sa Vizcaya mag aral, Manong..." I sighed.

"But, I don't want to add up from your problems..." I frowned.

"Hindi kailanman naging problema ka sa'min, Sapph... We'll listen okay?" they assured me.

I started to talk. "Mathematics was the hardest one. They also made us memorize a lot of things. I almost don't have time to help Nanay to cook and to chat with you. Baka magtampo na po kayo. Sorry talaga, Manong..." I said in a disheartened tone.

"Wala na ding K-Drama time!" I added.

"'Wag ka mag alala, at 'wag ka mag Sorry, wala kang kasalanan..." 

"Don't pressure yourself, Sapph. Grades do matter, but you know what matters the most?" he lifted my chin, I smiled in a chary way.

"Ikaw. You matter, your health matters," Manong Ram benevolently bopped my nose. 

"H'wag ka mag alala, Sapph, bumili kami ng kewk-kwek, oh!" Mang Roel cheered me up.

"Thank you po, for being so considerate, I really appreciate it!" I full-heartedly said.

"Class! We'll be picking our Miss Intramurals! First, mag suggest na muna kayo, then we'll randomly pick one of them," Miss Sam declared.

My classmates began suggesting. "Miss, si Sunny po!" Damien jokingly suggested. My classmates began approving his suggestion. Tumango-tango naman si Miss.

I looked at Sunny- in a secrete way, she's covering herself with a book. She's obviously uncomfortable with the attention.

"Oo nga, Miss!" asik ni Louisse ng makitang nahihiya na siya.

I supported too. Jessa did also, which made me do a surprised look.

"Amara, naiintindihan mo lesson natin? Narining ko kasi kay Louisse na 'di ka gasino magaling sa math," bulong ni Seus sa kalagitnaan ng pagsasagot sa activity.

"No, thank you. I don't need help," I said maintaining my focus on the problem given unto us.

  Pero nawala ng bula ang pagtanggi ko no'ng humingi ako ng tulong. 

"Seus, I need help," I blushed from the discomfiture.

"Sige," then he taught me the problem. 

"Finally!" A loud shriek came from me. 

"Ms. Merritt? What was that shout for? So unnecessary!" Mister Alvarez yelled.

"Because of that, I'll be giving you something to answer," Mister Alvarez shooked his head into his disappointment.

I felt relieved 'cause Seus taught me the problem given. But hesitated when He asked me something that I didn't know or any idea of!

"Why is 9 a 'magic' number?"

"Is that number used by a magician or like something?" I asked myself.

I just stood there. Tumingin sa itaas, kunyari nagiisip ng sagot. A long stretch of silence began. Mister Alvarez tapped the table slowly.

"Mister, Ako nalang po sasagot. I'm sorry, It was really my fault. I was talking to her. I'll answer the question given to her... If it's okay," Seus formally smiled. I steadily turned my head to him, he softly smiled at me, full of rueful. 

Napatingin si Mister Alvarez sa'kin at bumalik kay Seus. Tinignan niya ako nang mariin at napagpasiyahang paupuin ako, "You may sit Ms. Merritt, don't do it again," Tumango ako at ngumiti.

"Mister, 9 is considered as a 'magic' number because if you multiply a number by 9 and all the digits of the new number together, the sum will always be and will add up to 9," Seus answered.

I felt sorry and astonished at the same time. He didn't have to save me, besides it was my mistake. But what I liked the most was when he helped me without making me feel like I was the most dull-witted and dunce-like person. 

"Asungot! Masyado ka nang matalino!" Andre exclaimed.

"Oo, Seus lang malakas," sabi niya habang pinapakita ang biceps niya.

"Gagi! walang muscles!" tawa ni Louisse. 

"Louisse, mayroon kaya!" sabat nung isa kong kaklase. I nodded from her response.

"Pa-picture na kayo sa'kin! Tag n'yo'ko, ta's lagyan n'yo ng hashtag na Seus lang sakalam!" My classmates ran to him in a prompt matter.

"Let's go out na! Tapos na class, eh! I want to practice my Makeup sa bahay!" Jessa ranted.

"Shuta! Umuulan!" sigaw ni Louisse nang makalabas kami ng classroom.

"May payong ako dito..." sabi naman ni Owen, our classmate.

"Sabay tayo?" tanong niya sa amin. I don't know whom he was pertaining to, because I was busy looking unto my bag. Fishing for my phone to dial Mang Roel, baka kasi maulanan siya...

"Tara na Saphire! baka mas lumakas ulan!" sabi ni Owen na siyang nagpaangat ng tingin sa'kin.

"Thank you, I really appreciate it... pero I can handle myself," I reassured him.

"Sige, Ikaw, Jessa?" baling ni Owen kay Jessa.

"Sure, why not," mabilis na sagot ni Jessa kay Owen.

"Ingat kang malandi ka!" sigaw ni Louisse habang kumakaway.

"Oh," sabay abot ni Seus ng hoodie niya.

"Dalawa 'yan para sa inyong dalawa,"

"Salamat, pre!" ngiti ni Louisse, "Tapos ka na makipag picture?" 

"Ampuch-" he stopped when he saw me staring at him, "Basta sila ang nagpapicture sa'kin! hindi ako!"

"Yie! Salamat Pinsan! Dahil dito 'di na kita isusumbong!" Louisse grinned.

"Hoy, cute kong pinsan, wala akong pakialam kung isusumbong mo ako. 'Tsaka wala ka namang isusumbong! Ako kaya favorite!" Seus bragged.

"Hoy! Bobo! 'di kaya! Baka si Alielle 'yun!" sabat naman ni Louisse.

Alielle? Maybe It's Seus' sister...

"Thank you," I thanked him as soon as I wore the hoodie, but I didn't think he heard it kasi medyo malakas-lakas ang ulan. 

His hoodie has his smell of him- manly yet sweet and soft. The color of the hoodie also is the same color as my headband, as if it was planned.

"Thank you," I uttered once more.

"Thank yo-" I stopped when I saw him smiling.

Agad akong tumingkad at pinindot ang kanyang matangos na ilong. I even pinched him.

"Go beshie!" pabebeng sabi ni Louisse. Seus glared at Louisse.

"Aray! Sakit mo naman!" Seus late reply to my pinches. It didn't look like he's hurt though.

"-magmahal" tuloy ni Seus.

"Tanga! Gagi! Ang korni mo!" sabat ni Louisse.

"Kaya ba dalawa ang hoodie mo ay para sa iba't ibang babae?" Louisse mocked Seus dahil sa dalawa-dalawa niyang dalang hoodie. 

"Mamaya pagkatapos kong hiramin 'to, 'tong hoodie na 'to ay suot-suot na nang malalandi mong mga babae," umirap si Louisse.

"'Di ah! Mabait na ako!" 

"Nye! nye! nye!" Louisse wailed more.

"Tatawagan ko lang si Aeacus, nang matahimik ka na Louisse."

"Gago! Kahit tawagin mo pa si Kuya, 'di ako titigil" at inilabas ang dila. 

"Teka! Hold up! Sandali! Maghintay! Wai-" Louisse was cutted.

"Get to the point, Loui, bunso," He crossed his arms together, it rested on his chest.

 "Susunduin niya ako?" tanong ni Louisse. Seus nodded as a response.

"Teka! baka mamaya kasama niya si Sunny..." ngumuso si Louisse at sinabing, "Sana all." 

I think 'yun yung kuya ni Seus, Si Aeacus. Their names are very unique, I must say.

I saw Louisse asking Sunny kung kasama n'ya si Kuya Aeacus.

"Ay kingina! Kasama naman pala ni Aeacus si Sunny!" natatarantang sabi ni Louisse.

"Are you okay, Louisse? Ano bang mayroon sa kanila?" tanong ko.

"Third wheeler bhie."

"Sila?" gulat kong tanong. I'm stupefied- Vergara's are austere. Rigidly puritanical.

"S'yempre!" sagot ni Louisse, agad nagangat kami ni Seus ng mata kay Louisse, "Hindi," sabay tawa nito.

"Pero ang cute nila!" pagkatapos akong tignan ni Louisse, bumaling siya kay Seus.

"Wag mo ako isusumbong kay Aeacus ha?" ngising aso ni Louisse.

Dumating ang sasakyan ni Aeacus, I didn't see Sunny inside kasi tinted ang sasakyan.

"Punta na ako Sapph! Ba-bye!" 

"Bye! Ingat! Love you!" I waved my goodbye.

"Gaga!" sigaw niya pabalik.

"Mauna na din ako," tipid na ngiti ang ibinigay ko.

I was about to take another step when he held my wrist. I couldn't move, but It wasn't tight.

"Wala din ba akong Ingat o kaya-"

"I love you?" he said crouching, looking directly into my eyes.

"Ano ka?!" I exclaimed.

"Tao."

I, once again, pinched him.

"'Di joke lang!"

"Sa'n ka pala?" tanong n'ya, "Gusto mo i-hatid na kita?" dagdag nito. I immediately turned him down. 

He held my chin and said softly, "Kung gan'on... Magiingat ka."

〰〰〰〰『𖤣𖥧𖡼..✎ ..𖡼𖥧𖤣』〰〰〰〰

With love, Sofia