Chapter 25

Naging routine ko na tuwing may session kami ni Bennett na sa pagpunta sa condo niya ay mag-commute na lang ako at pagkatapos naman ay saka niya ako ihahatid. I believe it will be inconvenient for him na sunduin pa ako sa dorm ko so I could be with him sa condo niya. At wala namang problema sa akin 'yon. Isa na rin naman iyon sa napagkasunduan namin saka hindi rin naman nalalayo ang condo niya. Isang sakay lang, makararating na agad ako.

Kumatok naman ako sa pinto matapos kong marating ang unit niya. Just a quick moment, Bennett flashed before my eyes. He showed a little smile on his face and invited me in. I tried to be pleasant and look nice kahit na hindi maganda iyong nangyari nitong weekend. But I'm just trying to be a good compliant sa kanya and I guess... it's not bad at all.

Alas y dies ang napagkasunduan namin ni Bennett na sisimulan ang session namin today. Napaaaga rin ako ng fifteen minutes pero mas okay na 'yon kaysa naman paghintayin ko pa siya. Siya na nga itong nag-request na agahan namin, ako pa ba itong pahuhuli.

"Are you all set?" he asked, scanning the stuff I put down on the table. Nakatanggap naman siya ng tango sa akin which means we're all set and ready to start our session.

"Oo nga pala, we've never talked about it last week. Anong result ng quiz mo? Did our first two session helped you?"

He nodded aggressively. "Yes, yes. I must say, that helps a lot." He said, touching his chin. "I've got a passing score, I did not get perfect, but I still made it. A lot of them actually made some mistakes on a few questions then only a few answered it right and one of them was me."

"Nice, nice!" I patted his shoulder and he looked at it like it was a weird gesture. Binawi ko rin naman kaagad ang kamay ko at kinuha ang hawak kong libro.

I also have to study the lessons he missed so I guess 'yong binabayad niya nga sa akin ay worth it—or sa tingin ko dahil both of us took an effort to it. He's passing his quiz and exams so I'm proud that what I'm doing is kinda effective for him.

"Oh, okay, let's get back to it na. Hanggang tanghali lang tayo, right?"

He creased his forehead. "You mean by noon?"

I nodded. "Yes, by noon nga."

"Sure, not a problem. I guess we'll be quick this time."

Hindi na nga kami nagpatumpik-tumpik pa kung hindi ay nagsimula na kami sa tutorial namin. Just like before, hindi naman ako nahihirapang ituro sa kanya 'yong mga lesson. Siya pa nga iyong nagtatama sa akin sa ibang parts kapag nagkakamali ako. He knows that I'm not really familiar with his subjects kaya inaaral ko rin 'yon. I'm allotting my free time para basahin at aralin din 'yong mga subject niya, I even watched some youtube tutorial videos para mas mabahagi ko sa kanya 'yong nararapat na information.

I'm honestly proud of how it turned out the last time. Kahit naman siguro hindi na niya need ng tutorial, he will still be able to pass their quiz. Alam kong matalino itong si Bennett. I know he's just doing this to help me—ewan ko, pero baka at some point, iyon din ang punto ng pagtulong niya sa akin. I just accepted this work because the money helps.

Iyon naman talaga ng sinugal ko rito and I know he knows it, too.

"Parang hindi mo naman na ako need, Bennett. Alam mo na naman tinuturo ko sa 'yo, e."

Natawa naman siya ng bahagya. "I only know a little, but I still need your help. Ayaw mo na ba? Sawa ka na ba? We've only been doing this for two weeks, ayaw mo na?"

Agad naman akong umiling sa tanong niya.

"No! Wala naman akong sinabing gano'n, e. Echos ka, Bennington!"

He chuckled. "Well, I thought you're already over with it."

"Hindi 'no... aaminin ko naman na I really need this job din, so hindi naman ako magsasawang gawin ito. And if it helps me, it helps you, too so patas na rin, 'di ba?"

He nodded his head. "Yup, I agree. I bet we'll have more interesting sessions in the future."

"I'm already looking forward to it! Lalo na sa mga passed quizzes and exams mo! Make me proud!"

"I'll do that," he assured. "I won't fail you, Sel."

"That's what I would like to hear from you and I'm sure you know that I won't also fail you to teach you everything I know. We've both benefiting from this stuff and we shared equal efforts to this so, yeah... I'm happy na ikaw ang ka-partner ko ngayon dito."

He didn't respond but only pressed his lips together. Hindi ko na naman hinintay 'yong sagot niya sa akin, but I know that's a normal respond from someone who's going through some stuff. At hindi ko naman siya pipiliting magkwento kung ayaw naman niya. I know he doesn't want to talk about it so I won't ever nudge it to him. Baka kung ano pa ang maging tingin niya sa akin at akalaing chismosa pa ng taon.

We continued our session and it's funny when I have to have a few seconds para ma-gets ulit 'yong tinuturo ko sa kanya. When I'm glancing at him kapag nangyayari 'yon, he's smiling and I'm a little embarrassed because of it.

A few hours later, we finished our session by noon and I immediately packed up my stuff para maghandang umalis.

"Hey, Sel, would you like to stay for lunch?" he asked. May hawak siyang phone and I think he's ready to order para magpadeliver ng lunch.

Napakagat ako sa ibabang labi ko at napailing ako "No, but thank you for the offer, Bennett."

"Oh, I see... may pupuntahan ka ba ngayon?"

Dahan-dahan akong tumango bilang sagot sa kanya. "Sorry, maybe next time. Saka always ka namang may pakain tuwing may session natin so sa susunod na lang ulit. May pupuntahan lang talaga ako this time."

"Alright, I understand." Binalik niya 'yong phone niya sa loob ng pants niya.

"What about you?"

"Nah, I still have some leftovers last night. Iinitin ko na lang."

"Oh... okay..."

"Should I drive you to—" Hindi na natapos ni Bennett ang sasabihin niya nang biglang may kumatok sa pinto.

He immediately attended who's behind the door and when he opened it, he was surprised to see Archie there. Pagtataka pa ang bumakas sa mukha nito kasi for sure, hindi naman niya inaasahan na pupunta si Archie sa condo niya ng walang pasabi.

"Oh... uh... Archie?"

"Bennett! Nice to see you, bud!" Niyakap pa nito ang kaibigan at tinapik-tapik ang likod. Takang-taka pa rin naman si Bennett, but I know what's Archie doing in here. "How are you going?"

"I'm going good, thanks, Arch... but, do you need something here or what? You didn't say you'll be here today."

"Uh, yes, my bad, but I'm here for Isel." Their attention shifted in my direction. Archie's smiling while Bennett's scrunching his face might still be confused about what is happening.

"Ah, for what?" Bennett asked Archie, but then he looks back at me. "Is this what you were talking about, Sel?"

Tumango na lamang ako sa kanya. "Yes..."

"What did you guys talked about?" Archie wondered. "But, yeah, I invited Isel to my condo. Her friends will be there as well and we'll just have fun. Do you want to come with us, bud? There's still room for you!"

I'm anticipating for his response, but I know he'll decline it.

He shook his head. "No, but thank you, Arch. May kailangan din ako puntahan mamayang hapon. But enjoy, I hope you guys have a lot of fun today."

"Thanks, bud. But if hindi ka matuloy sa pupuntahan mo, you know where my condo is so join us there. I'm not sure how long they will stay there, but give me a call, alright?"

Tango na lamang ang binatong sagot ni Bennett.

"We should be get going now, magluluto pa si Isel sa condo." Archie grinned.

Tumapon muli ang tingin sa akin ni Bennett and I don't know what to show to him. Hindi ko rin naman kasi alam kung pa'no sasabihin sa kanya na sa condo nga ng kaibigan niya ako pupunta and I hope he doesn't think bad about it. Wala rin naman kaming gagawing masama and we're only going to cook there and I guess spend some time together watching a movie.

"Bye, Bennett. See you sa next session."

"Oh, yes, I just have to remind you that we'll need to add a little time to our session next week. Just to prepare for my upcoming national pageant if that's okay."

I nodded and smiled. "Of course, go lang."

"Cool! Bye, guys... and have fun."

I passed by Bennett when I walked out of the door. Sinilip ko lang ang mukha niya nang mapadaan ako and I just found out that he's also looking at me kaya mabilis kong binawi ang tingin ko. When we finally walked out of the door and Bennett waved to us and shut the door, I immediately nudged Archie on his side.

Napalakas ata 'yon kasi umaray siya at hinimas niya ang tagiliran niya.

"What was that for?" He scoffed.

"Ang daldal mo kasi!" Irap ko pa. "Sabi ko kasi maghintay ka na lang sa sasakyan mo o kaya naman sa lobby na lang. Pwede ka namang tumawag na lang. Nakahihiya tuloy kay Bennett."

"Ba't ka naman mahihiya? Ano bang ginawa mo?"

"Wala naman... pero kasi nag-offer siya ng lunch pero sinabi ko sa kanya na aalis ako at may pupuntahan ako. Hindi ko naman sinabing sa condo mo ako pupunta. Gusto kitang ipalamon sa lupa sa ginawa mo kanina."

Natawa na lang din naman ito at pinalibot ang braso sa balikat ko. "Ayos lang 'yan. Wala naman dapat pagselosan si Bennett sa atin, 'di ba?"

"Wala nga," tipid kong sagot.

"So, what's the worry?" he questioned, but I didn't respond to it anymore. Kinuha na lamang niya ang bag na hawak ko. He carried it all throughout nang makarating kami sa sasakyan niya.

Sa harapan niya ako pinaupo katabi niya sa driver's seat. Napansin ko naman 'yong grocery bags sa likod.

"Namili ka na ba?"

"Yup. Bago ako pumunta rito, dumaan muna ako sa grocery. I've bought some chips, soft drinks, juices, at makalilimutan ko ba ang mga fish ball, quail eggs, kikiam, squid ball, and oh! I also bought macaroni pasta. I can cook us macaroni and cheese. The boys love my mac and cheese do I guess you'll have to try it as well."

"Sure, galingan mo, a!"

"Ako pa ba?" Ngisi pa nito sa akin.

He started driving his car. Hindi naman daw malayo 'yong condo niya kaya mabilis din kaming nakarating do'n. When we get there, ang sabi ko ay tutulungan ko na siya sa pagbubuhat ng mga bags pero 'wag na raw at siya na lang daw kaya hinayaan ko na. Tessa, Dolly, and Serron will be coming later kaya uunahan na namin ang paglukuto kaya sakto sa pagdating nila ay kakain na lang din.

Hindi an rin naman kami nag-aksaya ng oras na nagsimula na kaming magluto. I've prepared the quail eggs and boiled them. Gano'n din ang ginawa ni Archie sa pagpapalambot ng macaroni. Habang hinihintay kong maluto ang quail eggs ay hinanda ko na ang iba pang recipe sa pagluluto ng kwek-kwek. On the other hand, I started frying the fish balls, squid balls, at iyong iba pa.

While we're still in the middle of our cooking, biglang dumating sina Serron, Dolly, at Tessa kaya nakigulo na sila sa pag-aasikaso sa amin.

Archie and I still lead in the kitchen while they all stayed in the living room at kung ano-anong pinaggagawa nila ro'n. When the quail eggs finished boiling, sinimulan ko na itong balatan at ilagay sa mixture na pinaggagawa ko. Archie then continued making his mac and cheese. Sabik na sabik naman siyang ipatikim sa amin 'yon.

"So, I just wanna know, Isel," ani Archie at patuloy sa paghalo ng kanyang niluluto. "How's Bennett? Did he mention anything about Cinema or about their relationship?"

Umiling naman ako. "Wala. Wala siayng binanggit ni isang patungkol kay Cinema. And I don't think he's moving on from it, pero ayaw niya lang talagang pag-usapan. Syempre naman mahirap para sa kanya na tanggapin 'yon. He's been with her for the past few years tapos malalaman mo na lang na nag-cheat iyong long time girlfriend mo and knowing it was so bad. Nakaaawa si Bennett sa totoo lang, hindi ko rin naman siya masisisi. And I also felt bad about Cinema, but I guess it's a hard lesson for her. Ikaw, may bago ka bang info tungkol do'n?"

"Wala rin, e." Buntonghininga pa nito. "But I've tried reaching out to her pero hindi niya sinasagot 'yong tawag ko so I guess she doesn't really want to talk to anyone. Hindi rin naman siya pumapasok because she's suspended. I also felt bad for her, but it was her choice to do it, though. If she's in the right mind, she wouldn't ever do that knowing the fact that she's in a relationship with Bennington."

"Nag-break up tapos nagkabalikan ba sila? I mean, may mga ganap bang gano'n?"

"A lot of times." He chuckled. "Though this was just all about Cinema. Hindi naman sa pang-aano, but she's a little toxic if you know what I mean..."

"Right... though hindi ko man siya masyadong kilala, but the way she treated mo no'ng magkasasabay kaming pumunta sa Laguna, it was good until she became salty to me. Ewan ko. Wala naman akong problema sa kanya."

"Yeah, that's the problem with her... she wants to make it all about herself."

Maya-maya lang ay dumating si Serron sa kusina at inakbayan kaming dalawa ni Archie.

"So, anong chika, guys? Sobrang busy natin, a?"

Inirapan ko naman siya. "Duh? Wait ka lang din do'n! Matatapos na rin naman 'yong niluluto namin."

"Sige nga, patikim muna kung masarap!" Aniya at kukunin pa sana iyong kahahain ko lang mula sa pagkapiprito. Pinalo ko naman 'yong kamay niya saka ko siya sinuway. "Ikaw na lang, Archie! Patikim ako." Hagikgik naman nito at saka ko siya tinulak pabalik sa living room.

Tinapos na rin naman namin ni Archie ang pagluluto at hinanda iyon. Tinawag naman namin 'yong tatlo na sumama na sa amin sa lamesa. Archie's expecting Bennett to come and join us pero sa tingin ko he won't be coming here. Nagustuhan naman nila ang niluto kong kwek-kwek and Archie really loved it. Na-inlove rin naman kami sa niluto niyang mac and cheese. It was so cheesy and creamy kaya bet na bet din ni Serron.

Hindi rin naman namin naubos ang mga niluto namin kaya ginawa naming snack sa panonood ng movie sa living room. Pilit naman akong itinatabi ng tatlo kay Archie pero ako na 'yong lumalayo kasi masyado silang issue. Bet na bet din naman ni Archie at tawa lang nang tawa. Cute niya pero hindi ko pwedeng makalimutan na may ta-trabahuin pa kaming project instead of this thing.

In the next few weeks, same routine lang din naman ang ginagawa ko. Magkaroroon kami ng group discussion ng mga kagrupo ko sa project namin and we're actually doing good dahil sa ilang pagpapacheck namin sa professor namin, we only get minimal mistakes or revision. Ibigsabihin lang no'n ay maswerte ako sa kagrupo ko at lahat ay nakikipag-cooperate.

Gano'n din naman sa mga session ko with Bennett. From the usual an hour and a half ay biglang naging two hours and a half na dahil nag-request si Bennett na mag-practice raw kami sa upcoming pageant niya. On how he will look, his posture and stance, at lalo na ang question and answer portion. Wala raw kasi siyang time to practice lalo na't natatabunan ng training niya sa basketball ang oras nito. Ilang linggo na lang ay magsisimula na ang championship and it looks like he's over with Cinema.

Just the second week of October, we've heard that Cinema is still a part of their university's cheer squad. Knowing that I'm happy for her, but people never heard anything from her since the scandal erupted last month. She never posted any announcement or statement regarding about it, but there's a lot of chismis around na iyong guy raw for sure ang nagkalat ng video scandal. It was supposed to be private not until it was shared hangga't sa kumalat na ng tuluyan. The guy was kicked out of the university after all.

And just a few days ago, Archie kissed me and Bennett saw that.

***

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Let me know your thoughts! I would appreciate it so much!

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