LORENZO ELRIC GARCHITORENA

CLAD IN a black shirt with a triforce symbol from The Legend of Zelda imprinted on it, plus shorts na hindi ko alam kung matino pa ba (iyon ang una ko kasing nakita ko sa drawer), I swiftly rushed into the veterinary clinic which is few blocks away from the subdivision using my bicycle after our lunch.

Kailangan ko na palang bilhan ng cat food and treats itong si Mr. Ginger, or else, he will throw out his tantrums, especially when he's hungry. At siyempre, habilin lagi sa akin ni Kuya na alagaan ang "anak " niya (at balak niya ata akong gawing yaya).

The weather is quite gloomy today and the rain must be approaching very soon. Malapit na talagang magpalit ng month ang kalendaryo, kaya dumadalas na ang mga pag-ulan. (Gawdeymit, I even forgot my umbrella!)

Upon entering the veterinary clinic, bumungad na sa akin ang iba't ibang dogs and cats with different breeds na nasa kaniya-kaniyang cage na nakalagay sa bintana ng clinic, plus arrangements ng iba't ibang pet supplies and essentials sa mga aisle: from pet shampoo, leashes, supplements, pati na mga damit for dogs. Aside from being a clinic, store din kasi ito for animal care products.

"Hello there!" Tita Mildred greeted me while arranging some stuff sa mga shelf. She's the one of the pet shop's caretakers at nangangasiwa rin sa business.

"Uhm... busy po ba si Doc?" I asked while getting the supplies.

"Oo, katatapos lang naming mag-lunch, so you better check him out," she answered with a smile. "Ako na lang bahalang kumuha ng mga kakailanganin mo. Is it the usual?"

"Hala, Tita... nakakahiya po!" But she still insisted, kaya iyon na at pumasok na ako sa loob ng clinic while still having a guilt.

Medyo gininaw ako pagpasok sa loob, my shirt doesn't ensure 100% cold resistance. Upon entering, I already saw a bespectacled man in his mid-forties sitting on his desk, wearing his gray polo shirt and black slacks. Nakalagay rin sa kaniyang baba ang facemask. Naka-engrave ang pangalang Dr. Angelito Suarez--Veterinarian sa nameplate na nakalagay sa table.

Dr. Angelito, or commonly known as Doc Angel, together with Tita Mildred are family friends, kaya medyo malapit ang ties nina Mama kina Doc; plus he is my kuya's godfather sa binyag.

He greeted me a genuine smile habang umupo ako sa right table na kaharap ng desk niya. Parang ang tagal na noong huli kaming magkita. (that was weeks ago, I guess?)

"Lorenzo, it's good to see you again." That was his opening salvo with a chuckle. But as far as I remember, last week lang noong huli kaming magkita.

The smell of ethyl alcohol and soap lingers within the clinic. There are some medicines na nakalagay sa cabinet, katabi lang ng desk ni Doc.

"Anyway, how's your first week as a college student?" Naka-de quatro ang position niya habang itinanong sa akin iyon with intriguing eyes. I almost coughed with that question. Bigla tuloy nagkaroon ng roasting session sa loob ng clinic. Hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko, dahil as far as I know again... There are no significant events happened in these past few days, as expected.

"Uhm... So far, so good," I shrugged. "I'm hoping that I'll survive the rest of the week." My first week is a total monotone. I would never expect college life to be colorful--with vibrant musical numbers just like you're in a Bollywood film. Hindi naman ako umasa na biglang may alien invasion sa university, may babagsak na asteroid, or kung ano pang mga plot twist na mangyayari sa first day pa lang.

Besides, first week pa lang, ang dami nang pina-re-require sa amin. Kaliwa't kanan na ang projects and activities na dapat ipagawa.

"Those words coming from you..." He smirked, habang nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya. Then he spoke again, "you know, college life is really frustrating." At itinapik niya ang balikat ko.

"Maybe, I'm still adjusting. Hindi ko naman po in-expect na ganito ang college," I explained while fixing my glasses.

"Hijo, just remember that college is the time you use your potential na na-invest mo during your high school years. Dito masusubok ang way of your survival gamit ang potential na magiging weapon mo.

"It's not bad to come out from your shell. Try mo ring lumabas sa iyong comfort zone. Do things you are hesitant to do--make a lot of friends--make the best out of it." My face turned into gloom upon hearing that word from him.

"But how?" I mumbled to myself. Tito Doc has a point there. But how can I be friends with anyone? How can they accept this crappy human being? Hay, ewan ko na lang. Self-acceptance is the key--to accept that I am just a trash for the rest of my life.

Our conversation was interrupted when the door opened and someone came inside.

"Good afternoon po, Doc," the lady with a slightly-curled hair greeted. I hunched that she is in her twenties. Along with her is a Shih Tzu with a light brown-colored fur na nakatali sa leash.

"Good afternoon din sa iyo, Ro," Doc greeted the lass. Mukhang for a check-up ang sadya nila rito lalo na noong pinag-usapan nila ang antibiotics and stuff.

"Oh, hello. How's Tyler?" He started to scratch the dog's head, but when it starts to stare at me, nagkaroon na ako ng anxiety at internal panic attacks. Gah! I don't have any idea on how to handle dogs.

I even almost screamed noong lumapit ito sa  akin... At dinilaan ang legs ko. Which made me scream... Internally.

"Oh, Tyler likes you!" the lady said to me, kaya medyo napangiwi ako habang tinitingnan ang aso na nakatingin sa akin at nakalabas ang dila.

Fine, I have traumatic experience on handling dogs. Noong bata ako ay grabe na ang naramdaman kong takot noong habulin ako ng sangkaterbang aso habang naglalaro noon malapit sa bahay ng pinsan ko. And after that, doon na nabuo ang takot ko sa kanila.

Mas gusto ko nang makarinig ng cat's meow, kaysa sa katakot-takot na tahol ng aso, na kulang na lang at kainin na ako nang buhay.

---

At nakalabas naman ako nang buhay sa clinic ni Doc dala-dala ang supplies na binili ko as I mounted them on the basket attached to my bicycle. But I was about to unlock the chains on my bike when someone averted my attention.

"Hey!" He greeted with generosity as he came near to me. I suddenly feel some awkward and eerie vibe. He's wearing a white polo, navy blue slacks, and a generic varsity jock demeanor. He's well-groomed at mukhang papasok na siya ng school sa kaniyang attire, kaya nahiya ang suot kong basta-basta sa kaniya. I haven't even combed my messy, nest-like hair.

He's my former classmate when we were in our seniors, yet I haven't known his name until now.

"How are you, Lorenzo?" he asked, but I simply averted my gaze to him with such frown. I don't have any interest to mingle with people.

"Yeah, I'm just fine," I answered with a cold-as-an-iceberg tone. But he's just boosting with confidence, which makes me suffocate. Yes, his smile can allure girls, but I am just annoyed with him.

"Saan ka ngayon nag-aaral?"

"Verte," I answered with a bland tone, while unlocking my bicycle from the chains. Based on his uniform, he's now studying at University of San Fernando.

"Oh, good luck sa studies mo, ha! Fine, I gotta go!" He bid his farewell na siyang nagpawala sa aking suffocation.

Right, I remember! He's Jon Salcedo. And when we were in our senior years, he was popular with the girls around the campus--having a tall physique, may pagka-moreno, chinito, and clear skin. He's a total man of every girl's dreams. Jon was also the team captain of the varsity team of our school; a total package, indeed. And I am just the definition of their nightmare; a mere trash in the society. Do I have any option?

"Yeah, life is truly unfair..." I mumbled pagkasakay sa bicycle at nagsimulang mag-pedal pauwi.

-30-