The second semester is to end in two months. I see students hanging out in every café Amelie and I go to. Some are studying while some are having fun– maybe spending their breaks while they can.

Graduating ako. I still have a lot more to learn but I know I'll get there. I believe everyone will get to their desired destination. Sipag, tiyaga, at pasensya.

"I can order while you find table for us." I said in a soft manner, gently guiding Amelie's arm to go.

"Saang pwesto ang mas gusto mo? Sa itaas o dito lang?" she asked.

"Kung saan ka kumportable," I answered.

She agreed and we parted our ways. Sinundan ko pa siya ng tingin at nakita kong umakyat siya sa pangalawang palapag ng café. I never knew I could enjoy café dates.

Dati ayaw ko dahil tingin ko boring. I don't like study dates either. It depends on the person you're with, huh.

I ordered americano for me and hot chocolate for Amelie. Summer is coming yet the weather is not weathering. Sunod-sunod ang pasok ng bagyo. Nawili yatang mag-bakasyon sa Pinas.

"I also ordered few desserts for us while we study. Isusunod nila."

I took my seat in front of her. I like it this way when we go on study dates. I get to see every reaction from her.

Pansin kong nakalatag na ang mga reviewer niya sa table. Mine was neatly placed on my seat. At ang libro na dala ko ay nasa tabi.

"Sorry makalat na ang table." She bit her lower lip and gave an apologetic look.

I was smiling from ear to ear. It wasn't a problem. It justified even more the fact that she's smart and hardworking.

"No need to say sorry. It's okay." Mahinahon kong sabi.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit at para saan ang sorry niya.

We moved some of her things aside for our food when it arrived. She continued with what she's doing and I took my time staring at her.

I want to compliment her writing style but she's so focused. It would be a bad timing.

I sighed. Hinalughog ko ang bag na dala kanina upang kumuha ng notebook at ballpen. I quickly closed it seconds after opening the first page of the notebook. Napakamot ako sa batok nang mag-angat ng tingin si Amelie sa 'kin.

"Ayos ka lang?" she asked.

"Hm. You continue with what you're doing. I'm fine."

Pasimpleng sinilip ko ang unang pahina ng notebook nang makitang nagbaba na ulit siya ng tingin. Her name was written in it; large and bold. May mga designs pa na ang pangit tingnan pero binigyan ko ng isang libong effort. May flames sa gilid kung saan nasa itaas ang kumpletong pangalan ko at sa ibaba naman ang kaniya. Maraming puso ang nakapalibot. May tatlong bible verse at iilang quotes. I also tried sketching her face and it turned out really good.

Amelie talaga, ang ganda-ganda.

Kumuha ako ng ibang notebook. Iyong hindi pa nagagamit at malinis. The atmosphere was silent. But even though it is, I still find myself loving every bits of it.

I did not come here to study. Ginamit ko lang na rason para makita siya. Sa loob ng isang linggo, may iisa o dalawang beses lang kami kung nagkikita. And it makes me so damn frustrated.

"Ayos ka lang? You're gripping your notes as if you're annoyed. Baka mapunit mo na, Kithian." Mahinahon ang pagkakasabi ni Amelie.

"Wanna go on a date with me?"

"Isn't this a date?"

Umiling ako. I want a proper date for us after all this. Pagkatapos ng finals, bibigyan ko siya ng maayos na date.

"It is. Pero gusto ko kasi na wala tayong ibang iniisip. Pagkatapos sana ng finals... kung puwede."

Amelie smiled and nodded.

"Oo naman. Pagkatapos ng finals."

Finals week came and I feel lighter than I was last year. Effective talaga ang study date with the one you truly adore. No dull moments, just chill.

"Bakit isang bagsakan na naman lahat? Pagod na ako. No'ng midterms din inisahang bagsak. Kapag 'yong grade ko talaga bumulusok pababa ewan ko nalang."

"Either grades ko ang babagsak o ako mismo ang babagsak mula sa langit."

"Nararamdaman ko na. Iyong grades ko dinala ng eroplano sa himpapawid."

"Praise be Jesus and Mary sa grades kong mukhang magf-fly away."

Sabay-sabay ang reklamo nila. We still have a lot to do, mentally and physically. Pati mga past activities ay hindi pa natatapos. Continuing ang mga iyon. At tama, mukhang bubulusok din pababa ang grado ko.

"Kithian, alam naming in love kang tao ka, pero sana naman ma bother ka kahit kaunti sa grado mo." Tapik ng kaibigan ko sa aking balikat.

Why bother when I can pass?

Pass away.

Fuck life.

"The more you think about it negatively, the more you will worry about it." I said.

"Ah, dapat ba nonchalant? Okay, nonchalant na ako sa grado ko ngayon."

"Ginagawa mo na naman, Jasper?"

Nagsidatingan ang ibang kaibigan at lumapit. Ang isa ay may dalang in-can na inumin at pagkain. One of them threw me a can and I immediately opened it.

"Dapat daw nonchalant sa grade sabi ni Kit because according to him, the more you think about your grade negatively, the more you will most likely to worry about it," lintanya ng lalaki.

We were given three hour break time. Not really break time, vacant lang dahil wala kaming gagawin.

"Javier, my man."

He sat right next to me. I just realized that we were already forming a circle together with the girls. Girls aren't that many in this school. Hindi naman lahat gustong magpalipsd ng eroplano.

"If you were single, would you court Aliyah?" he simply asked.

Nagsalubong agad ang kilay ko sa tanong na iyon.

Aliyah, one of our blockmates, giggled and fixed her hair. Nagbaba ako ng tingin sa inumin na naubos.

"I am committed to my one and only love. I refuse to answer such stupid question."

Narinig ko ang reklamo nilang lahat. Jasper shrugged and nodded, supporting my answer.

Jasper chuckled. "Tangina niyo talaga."

"Yes or no lang naman ang kailangan namin, bro. I've never seen your girl, and I doubt if she's even prettier than Aliyah," he bragged.

"Y'all really want to hurt Aliyah's feelings. Huwag niyong pilitin si Kithian, masyadong honest 'yan," si Jasper.

"Ayos lang naman. I'm curious too." Aliyah looked my way and smiled.

Hindi ko siya pinaunlakan ng matagal na tingin. I diverted my gaze back to the smirking face of Ace Jasper Pete.

"Hindi. Kahit single ako, hindi. And you keep your mouth shut when it comes to Amelie, jackass. Say one more word about her and you're dead."

Technically, I am still single. But I have already committed myself to Amelie.

The day ended with me being pissed by everyone around me.