Romanov Aleczar Petrov.

Saktong katutunog lang ng bell nang matapos ako sa quiz namin ngayong araw. Finally, classes were done. I wasn't exactly sure with some of my answers, but at this point, I could only care less. Dali-dali kong ipinasa ang mga sagot ko't inilagay sa bag ang mga gamit ko.

Kanina pa ako uwing-uwi dahil halos dalawang araw na rin akong walang maayos na tulog buhat ng sandamakmak na schoolwork at sunud-sunod na trainings ko. Thankfully I have neither training today nor classes tomorrow. Last week ko pa gustong magpahinga't matulog maghapon pero hindi ko magawa dahil sa mga output na kailangan kong tapusin kaagad. May mga propesor kasi kaming ayaw man lang i-extend ang deadline kahit anong paliwanag. Mga hindi makuha sa pagmamakaawa.

Other than my hectic schedule and workload, I still couldn't forget about that Martinez guy. Kada punta ko sa training o kung saan man niya ako makita, napapansin ko siyang nakangiti sa akin. Mas lalo lang din naman akong nabubwisit sa presensiya niya. May balak pa nga sanang bumati kung minsan. Thankfully, I had enough excuses to ignore him or something. Lumipas na ang mga araw, pero ang inis ko sa kaniya, hindi man lang nabawasan kahit katiting.

Hindi ko na maiwasang mapahikab habang inaayos ang suot na hoodie. I zipped it up, put on my headphones, and hoisted my bag on my shoulder. Wala na akong energy pa para makipag-usap sa ibang tao. Gusto ko na lang talagang bumalik sa dorm at matulog hanggang bukas kahit na alas kwatro pa lamang ng hapon.

I put my hands inside my hoodie's pockets and began walking toward the door. Palabas na ako ng silid nang maramdamang may kumalabit sa'kin. I stopped in my tracks and frowned slightly before looking over my shoulder to see. Inalis ko rin ang headphones ko saglit.

"'Sup?" I asked when I saw Tomee, raising both my eyebrows slightly. Hawak na niya ang bag at parang paalis na rin pero mukhang hihintayin niya pa ang iba naming mga kaibigan. Bukod sa ka-team sa badminton ay kaklase ko rin siya.

"Tuloy ba plans natin later with the team?" Tomee asked, subtly moving her hand in a drinking motion. She even smirked at me slightly and tilted her head.

"Dunno, ask the others. I don't think I'm—"

She raised her eyebrow and put both her hands on her hips. Pinutol niya kaagad ang sasabihin ko, "You're coming whether you like it or not. Baka gusto mong bulabugin kita sa dorm mo?" she demanded with a slight pout.

"No, are you insane? Do you wanna kill me? I haven't slept for two days, dumbass," saad ko na mas nakapagpangisi lang sa kaniya. Knowing her, she would surely come to my place just to drag me out. Nagawa na niya ito noon at hindi malabong hindi niya magawa ngayon. "And please, don't look at me like that. Mukha kang... natusok ng bubuyog sa bibig."

"Nah, man, you're coming and that's final. C'mon, isipin mo, ang tagal nang hindi nakagala ng team na tayu-tayo lang at walang strict na coach. Plus, kailan ba umayaw ang captain namin sa ganitong mga kaganapan? Don't worry, I'll pay for your drinks," suhol pa nito saka hinawakan ang braso ko't marahan itong hinila-hila palabas ng classroom. Her gaze was no longer on me but the direction where we were going.

Hinayaan ko na lamang siyang kaladkarin ako kahit na gustong magprotesta ng utak ko. "Fuck you, I can pay for myself. I'm not broke," I mumbled but the usual sharpness on my tone wasn't there.

She gave me a sidelong glance while grinning like a madwoman and wriggling her eyebrows. She even looped her arm around mine, ensuring that I wouldn't get far away from her. "It's settled then. Alam ko namang hindi mo 'ko tatanggihan."

At ayon nga, hindi na niya ako hinayaan pang makapagdesisyon para sa sarili ko. She just kept on tugging me toward the direction of the canteen. Sa hinuha ko'y nandoon din ang iba pang ka-team naming sasama rin sa inuman.

Yep, another drinking session planned by Tomee and Jordan. Last week pa nagyayaya ang mga loko pero dahil nga busy kami, ngayon na lang itinuloy. 'Tangina, inom na inom ang mga kupal. Mukhang marami na namang chismis na baon ang mga ito. Hindi na rin ako magugulat kung oo.

Before we could even enter the canteen, I could already smell the food and hear the noises coming inside. Mabuti na lang at busog pa ako dahil mabango ang amoy at nakatatakam. Baka mapabili ako sa oras kung sakali.

I pushed the door open, letting Tomee in first. Sinundan ko lamang siya dahil hila-hila niya pa rin ako. I looked around, giving the canteen a quick surver and noted some familiar faces. I just nodded at them every time they'd notice me before looking away. Wala rin naman akong ganang makipag-usap ngayon.

Kinaladkad ako ni Tomee patungo sa mga tropa namin na tinanguan ko rin naman. Nakangisi ang mga lokong binati ako. Halatang nasa plano talaga nila ang ipakaladkad ako kay Tomee dahil alam nilang hindi uubra ang pagtanggi ko sa babaeng ito. Sa kabila nito, hindi naman ako nagtanim ng inis o sama ng loob sa kaniya o sa kanila.

Hinayaan ko na silang magsalita dahil ibinalik ko na ulit ang headphones sa mga tainga ko. I put my hands inside my pockets again once Tomee let go of. I stood casually, waiting for them to lead the way. Hindi ko rin naman alam kung kami-kami lang ba o may hinihintay pa kami. Dagdag pa ritong mukhang bagong club ang pupuntahan namin.

Ganoon na lamang ang pagkagulat ko nang marinig na mayroong mahinang napahiyaw sa likuran ko. Kaagad ko 'yong nilingon at bumungad sa akin ang isang babaeng patungo sa direksyon ko. Her eyes were wide, her mouth was slightly agape. She was holding a tray filled with a plate of carbonara, a plate of siomai, a cup of dragon fruit juice, and utensils.

My instincts told me to catch her when I saw that she slipped. I also didn't have a choice, particularly since she was heading my way. It was already too late to step aside or something. So, I did.

I held her arm while my other hand instinctively held her waist. I pulled her closer to me to steady her. Nakapokus lamang sa kaniyang mukha ang mga mata ko. I scanned her face immediately, taking in her reaction to ensure she was fine. I held her like that a bit longer than necessary.

Saka ko naramdaman ang pagkainis nang madama ang basa't lagkit na kumapit sa hoodie ko. It brought me back to reality, making me pull away from the girl. Iglanced down at myself, my face scrunching up in annoyance. I couldn't help but clench my jaw at the sight.

Putangina. Natapunan lang naman ng pagkain at juice niya ang puting hoodie ko. I looked around and noticed that we had attracted other students' attention with this little commotion. My eyes narrowed into slits as I glanced back at the girl, who was still in shock at what had happened.

"S-sorry po, Kuya. I swear it was just an accident." Kaagad niyang kinuha ang panyong nakatago sa bulsa ng palda niya saka ako nilapitan. Nanginginig pa ang mga kamay niya nang akma niya akong hawakan para punasan ang bahaging malapit sa dibdib ko dahil doon halos nakadirekta ang kalat. Her face was a bit red from embarrassment.

"You should've been more careful. Look at what you've done. My white hoodie is now ruined, thanks to you." Hindi ko napigilan pa ang sarili kong sabihin 'yon. Dama ang inis sa tono ng pananalita ko. I had every right to feel this way anyway. Pagod ka na nga, kulang pa sa tulog, tapos ganito pa ang mangyayari.

"I'll pay for it..." presenta niya pa.

I raised my hand to stop her. "No need. I don't need your money," I grumbled. Hindi ko maiwasang hindi ma-stress o ma-badshot dahil sa nangyari. I watched her look down, biting her lower lip nervously.

Inalis ko ang tingin mula sa kaniya at pinasadahan saglit ng tingin ang mga ka-team ko. Tila nasemento sa kinatatayuan naman ang mga ito dahil nanatiling tikom ang mga bibig nila. Halatang hindi pa rin nila napoproseso ang nangyari dahil bakas ang pagkahiya at pagkagulat sa kanilang mga mukha.

Mas lalo lamang naningkit ang mga mata ko nang makita ang isang pamilyar na mukhang kasama nila. Fucking hell, I didn't notice Martinez' presence earlier. Now that I did, I couldn't help but get more irritated. Kusang mas uminit ang ulo ko pero sinubukan ko pa ring kontrolin ang sarili ko. Ayoko namang gumawa ng eksena rito, lalo pa't iniingatan ko ang imahe ko.

I was about to walk away, fuming at the girl's clumsiness, when Tomee called out to me. I looked over my shoulder and saw the concerned look in her eyes. "What now?" I grumbled coolly, my voice was low and a bit strained.

"Susunod ka naman, right? I'll send you the address." I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes when I saw the slightly-pleading look on her face. Tanging tango na lang din ang naging sagot ko kahit hindi ako sigurado.

"So stupid," I mumbled when I finally walked away. Hindi na ako nagpaalam pa kung saan ako pupunta. Mas lalong hindi ko na rin pinansin pa ang babae nang subukan akong pigilan nito para humingi ulit ng tawad. Her apologies fell into deaf ears.

I reached the bathroom near the canteen and walked toward the sink. I put my bag on the sink beside me and removed my hoodie, leaving me on just a plain white shirt. After seeing my reflection, I forced myself to remove the scowl from my face and become poker-faced. Kaagad ko 'yong ginawa kahit naiinis pa rin ako dahil mukha akong mangangain ng tanga nang wala sa oras. Just a little push and I would surely snap at anyone.

Inis kong inilagay ang hoodie sa ibabaw ng lababo saka binuksan ang gripo nang kaunti. Mabuti na lang at wala namang mantsa ang panloob ko. Sinimulan ko na ang pagkusot sa mga parte kung saan mayroong mga mantsa ng carbonara sauce, toyo, at juice. Putangina, matatanggal pa kaya ito?

I was about to put a hand soap on the stain when I heard someone come in and speak behind me. I paused, knowing the owner of that smooth and gentle voice. I looked up and glanced at him through our reflections. Concern was evident in his eyes despite the small smile plastered on his lips. He was the last person I wanted to see and be with right now.

"Kung hindi mo maalis 'yong mantsa, ibabad mo na lang—"

I cut him off, narrowing my eyes at him, "I know how to do laundry." My reply came off as slightly more defensive than I wanted it to be.

Ibinaling kong muli ang atensyon ko sa kinukusot na mantsa pero napansin kong tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. Naramdaman ko pang lumapit siya sa'kin at pinanood akong magkusot. Akma na ulit akong kukuha ng hand soap nang higitin niya ang braso ko. "Mas lalo lang kakalat ang mantsa sa ginagawa mo. Trust me."

He held my wrist gently and, for some reason, I felt my body slightly relaxed in response to his touch. It felt like there was a gravitational pull that attracted me to his presence in that instant moment, but my brain kept on refusing, reminding me that I hated this person to heart. I pulled away from his grasp and frowned, concealing my initial shock.

I cleared my throat and spoke in a measured tone, but the slight defensiveness was still there, "Why are you even here? Who said you should follow me?" Just leave, dude. Nobody needed your help here.

"Nagkusa akong sundan ka—"

I scoffed and turned the faucet off. Piniga ko ang basang parte ng hoodie ko saka muling sinuot ang bag. Tinitigan ko siya sa mga mata at bahagyang lumapit. "Look, I'll spell it out for you, yeah? Next time, think twice before approaching me. I clearly don't want and need your help."

Hindi na ako naghintay pa ng sasabihin niya. Nilagpasan ko siya't binuksan ang basurahan sa likod niya kung saan ko itinapon ang hoodie. Makabibili rin naman ako ng bago at isa pa, paniguradong siya lang din ang maiisip ko kapag isinuot ko ang damit na 'yon. Hindi ko rin naman matanggal ang mantsa at ayokong magsayang ng oras kakakusot.

I immediately walked out of that bathroom because I didn't want to be in the same place as him. Instead of letting my head cool off, it seemed like my blood only boiled more. This day was surely damned.