LORENZO ELRIC GARCHITORENA

GUESS WHAT? I would never expect to get hooked from the book I'm reading that I've bought from the bookstore few days ago.

Instead of reviewing for my quiz Philosophy subject, Im just busy at my bed reading the first pages from Cosmos Intertwined a fantasy novel written by a guy named Bren Amiel. It's a miracle na never man lang akong inantok habang binabasa ito (the coffee I'm also drinking also helps, too, I guess?). Napaka-rare lang na ma-hook ako sa pagbabasa ng libro (of course, kasama na roon ang Alpha Thesis Bakunawa ni Rudy Santisteban).

Mukhang naniniwala na ako na wala talagang mga taong hindi hilig ang pagbabasa; I guess hindi pa nila nahahanap ng iba ang librong fit para sa kanila.

It seems it's really worth buying this novel. I'n starting to admire the author's writing style. Ilang oras pa naman bago ang first period namin today kaya pagbabasa muna ang aatupagin ko.

Well, procrastination really runs in my blood.

---

Kahit sa school ay ipinagpatuloy ko pa rin ang pagbabasa as I'm getting intrigued when reaching the end of each chapter. Hindi ko in-expect na sa maikling oras lang ay nakakalahati ko na ang novel. I'm that type of guy na aabutin ng ilang linggo bago matapos ang isang novel na binabasa. Depende pa kung gaano ako kasipag.

I was sitting at the bench near the auditorium where tall trees are standing up and different plants are scattered around the area. Ito na ang favorite kong spot dahil nga maaliwalas at presko rito. Maganda pa ang shade ng mga puno kaya hindi mainit kahit na mga ala-una na ng hapon ang oras. Crowded din naman sa library kaya mas okay kung dito na lang ako.

Mamayang 2 PM pa ang next class kaya uubusin ko na lang ang oras ko rito.

"Naks! Nagbabasa siya!" A familiar voice started to appear from elsewhere--'yong boses na alam mo na kung sino ang nagsasalita. It's a bit manly yet full of energy na para bang puwede nang i-convert ang ingay niya into renewable energy.

I raised my head from the book I'm reading and I saw Onemig standing just beside me. Iyon nga lang ay nanlaki ang mga mata ko pagkakita sa kaniya. Am I really seeing him? I mean, is he that annoying Criminology student? I blinked twice ensuring this is really him. Parang gusto ko tuloy matawa sa hitsura niya, eh.

"What the heck happened to your head?" I asked forcing myself not to laugh. Sorry, I can't help it. Hindi ko na tuloy natanong kung katatapos lang ng klase nila dahil distracted ako sa gupit niya.

"Aray, hindi ba bagay ang gupit ko?" Onemig pleaded while rubbing his now shaved head. Mukhang lawnmower pa nga ang pumutol sa kaniyang buhok. Nai-imagine ko tuloy si Avatar Aang sa hitsura niya ngayon.

"Oo, ako na! Mukha na akong itlog!" His litany continued regarding his haircut. Sa totoo lang ay naninibago pa rin ako sa kaniyang Caesar haircut; it's a little bit weird.

Krillin--oh, I mean Onemig then sat beside me and touched the book I'm reading. Ikinandong niya rin ang chessboard sa kaniyang legs at doon ipinatong ang libro.

"Requirement ng college sa amin, eh," he muttered. "Start na rin kasi ng training namin para sa major subjects kaya dapat ay maging uniform na kaming tingnan."

He heaved a sigh and became a bit serious while talking.
"It's our duty and responsibility na maging huwaran lalo na at kami ang magiging role model ng sangkapulisan, na sadly... hindi ito nasusunod ng mga nakatataas ngayon."

He then suddenly diverted his attention from the novel as he scanned the cover and its few pages.

The cover features the two protagonists falling from the starry sky. It's vivid just like the novel itself.

Onemig then blurted out something after reading the blurb, "May binabasa rin akong novel, detective novel naman siya. Tapos, ang galing din ng mga bida sa pag-solve ng cases na kahit papaano, nakatutulong sa pag-aaral ko ng Forensic Science."

"Ano ang title?" I asked with curiosity.

"Detective Lancelot by Clight Randall."

"Oh, being detective is really in his name," I answered with a gentle smirk.

"Bakit?" Onemig was left puzzled from my remarks.

"Kasi siya si Lance-sleuth." Instead of laughing, his face just suddenly turned sour from my joke.

"Hay, kung magjo-joke na naman, hindi 'yong paiiyakin mo ako." He started to get dramatic thanks to my dry humor. Kahit ako rin ay nakornihan sa joke na iyon.

#RIPHumor

"Better luck next time, Mehn!" Bald Onemig even tapped my shoulder.

"Anyway, suggest ko rin ang DL kasi maganda talaga siya." Here we go again with Onemig's marketing skills.

"Oh, actually nakikita ko rin iyon kapag napupunta ako sa bookstores." I'm also hearing that novel being talked about by my classmates.

"Na-meet ko na rin ang author, sa totoo lang. Graduate din iyon ng DMU," he explained further with such pride. I simply nodded. Buti pa siya at nabibigyan siya ng ganitong chance.

Medyo hesitant lang ako pero baka bigyan ko ito ng chance. I know Onemig has a good taste in books.

I was becoming interested in our conversation when suddenly, his classmates came having the same hairstyle as his. It's true, the birds with the same hairstyle flock together.

"Pre! Ayos ng gupit natin, ah?" pambungad ng isa niyang kaklase.

"Mukha kang pugo, Mehn!" Onemig then commented teasingly. Dahan-dahan pa nga niyang sinapo ang ulo nito.

There are three Criminology students here... And there's me, an invisible guy--a dead air.

I suddenly become a background character sa pag-uusap nilang tatlo. At imbes na magbasa, pinagmasdan ko na lang sila. Onemig is really acting jolly when he's with people. He's easy to get along with others--he's a ray of sunshine--and I am a gloomy cloud who often rains on other's perfect day.

How he can be easily get along with other people around him?

"Lorenzo, una na kami, ah?" paalam niya sa akin bago umalis kasama ng mga kaklase niya.

After he stood up and left, I feel again the void--the lingering loneliness.

---

"Thank you po." Pagkaabot sa bayad sa tricycle driver ay bumaba na ako sa building kung nasaan nakatayo ang veterinary clinic at pet shop nina Doc Angel. Together with me is my cat, Mr. Ginger who I've brought along for the monthly check-up. Dahil bumibigat na ang aking chonky cat, medyo nabigatan ako sa pagdala noong travelling kennel kung saan ay nasa loob siya. It is also for me to buy cat food and other essentials for my feline pal.

I checked Mr. Ginger inside the kennel and as usual, my cat is having its usual grumpy face while sitting inside the kennel. Inayusan pa nga siya ni Ate Gigi at binihisan ng black basketball jersey. I wonder kung kanino nagmana ang pusang ito. Mukhang nahawa na talaga siya sa amo niya dahil lapit nang lapit ito sa kaniya.

Matagal na rin ever since nadalaw ako rito, especially that Ate Gigi is always the one to do some errands. Na-curious tuloy ako sa kung anong superpowers ang mayroon sa aming house helper at nakakayanan niya ang mga pinagagawa sa kaniya.

Na-miss ko rin ang makakuwentuhan si Doc Angel habang inaasikaso niya ang iba't ibang pets na dinadala sa kaniya. Ang dami pa naman noong mga kuwento at advice.

As usual, bumungad sa akin pagpasok ang ilang pets na ginu-groom ng ilang mga staff ng pet shop. May white Persian cat nga akong nakita na tini-trim ang kuko as seen from the glass window. How lucky that these pets are being pampered.

"Lorenzo, ano kailangan natin?" Tita Mildred approached me when I get near the counter.

"Hello po, Tita. Kumusta po kayo?" I asked while roaming around on shelves of different pet essentials, food, and treats.

"We're fine as always," she answered with such glee. "Ang tagal mong hindi nadalaw rito, ah? Busy sa school?"

"Yes po. Been overfeed with different activities." I sighed. I'm getting haggard with our different activities. Wow, nagsalita ang akala mo ay laging busy.

"Okay lang iyan." She diverted her attention to my cat who is inside the kennel. "Oh, hi, Kitty! How are you, too?"

Anyway, the same ba?" Tita Mildred asked as she came out from the counter and started to grab the stuff I need to buy.

"Yes po."

"O siya, pasok ka na. Good thing at si Mr. Ginger ang pasyente ni Doc ngayon."

Pagpasok, bumungad sa akin si Doc Angel na nakaupo sa kaniyang desk at may mga papeles na inaayos.

"Lorenzo, good to see you again!" he greeted upon seeing me while carrying the kennel.

"Hi, Doc!" pagbati ko naman sa kaniya, pagkatapos ay umupo ako sa isa sa mga upuan sa tapat ng desk.

"How's everything?" Doc asked with enthusiasm.

"Uhm... Great." I formed an awkward straight line with my lips.

Binuksan ko ang kennel at inilabas si Mr. Ginger. Pagkatapos ay kinandong ko siya na parang baby. Buti na lang at behaved itong pusa ko at kung hindi ay baka kanina pa tadtad ng kalmot ang mga braso ko.

"Hello, Mr. Ginger!" Doc then rubbed my cat's head. Then he shifted his eyes onto me.

"Compared sa last time na pagkikita natin, you looked a bit vibrant today." Aside from being a veterinarian, Doc may also know a bit of psychology.

Wala rin akong idea sa kung anong "bright" ang sinasabi ni Doc. Sa totoo lang ay mukha akong haggard ngayong araw.

"Mukhang inspired ka, hijo." He then beamed his smile and I can't escape his intriguing eyes.

"Actually..." I sighed in defeat. "Yes," I finally admitted while babying Mr. Ginger.

"Schoolmate ko po, actually." I left an awkward smile. Talking about Jyrah makes me really uncomfortable.

"Oh, interesting..." Doc seemed more enthusiastic na parang nakakita ng something sa kaniyang diagnosis. "Mukhang kinakain ka na talaga ng college."

"Yes po. Ang dami po kasing activities na pinagagawa sa amin. Malapit na rin kasi ang Midterms," I explained to Doc who is eager to listen. I let Mr. Ginger to sit on the floor. Behaved din naman kasi ang pusa ko.

After that, I started to open up to Doc Angel. "I don't know... but I'm gradually breaking my walls to few people." Within these few months, I realized that I meet different people. Hindi ko aakalaing may makakasundo ako at tatanggap sa akin despite my eccentricities. It's like, there's too much life is offering me right now.

Doc Angel started to explain further, "It's okay, hijo. You're welcoming change to yourself. Mas lumalawak ang mundong ginagalawan mo." Wait, am I really doing this? Am I really getting myself surrounded with people?

"Naalala ko pa rin ang sinabi ko noon sa iyo, na sa stage mong iyan, diyan mas nailalabas mo ang potential mo. You're starting to find yourself already."

I sighed again as I shifted to my usual facial expression. Doc Angel really has a point that my potential should serve as my weapon for college life.

Yeah, I know that I'm always procrastinating but I really don't expect college life to be more excruciating. It's no more a stroll in the park and more like a roller-coaster in an amusement park. It's chaotic but I'm still surviving.

It's fulfilling to see myself being like this. Of course, nandoon ang takot sa una, at nakakapagod din sa huli. Pero masaya palang maka-experience ng bago.

But what I fear the most is what if these people around me will leave all of a sudden? What if I'll hurt them or do something terrible that will made them distant to me?

I know, there's a possibility--a high chance. I don't want to hurt myself again.

"Anyway," Doc Angel interrupted. "Mukhang napahaba ang kuwentuhan natin. Kailangan na nating i-check-up si Mr. Ginger." Napasarap tuloy ang kuwentuhan namin at nalimutan ko na ang purpose ko sa pagpunta. I carried my ginger cat and brought him to a small bed near the desk.