"'Yan na ba talaga ang kursong gusto mo? Baka magbago ang isip mo, ah."
Tumango-tango ako habang nakatingin sa bintana. Why do Mom and Lola think that I'll regret choosing an educational course? Is it a big deal for a man like me to teach students?
"Siguraduhin mo lang, apo. 'Wag mong sayangin ang perang pambayad ng Mama mo para sa tuition." Lola murmured and adjusted her seat on her wheelchair.
I sighed heavily and leaned on my chair. "Ba't ko naman gagawin 'yon, La? Naiintindihan ko ang buhay ni Mama…" Sambit ko at sumimsim mula sa baso.
She nodded and exhaled a large amount of air before closing her eyes to sleep.
"Siguraduhin mo lang talaga, Kheir…"
Pagkatapos ng ilang minutong pag-upo sa hapag-kainan, saka ko napadesisyonang pumasok na sa univ.
I hanged my bag on my left shoulder and marched my way outside our house. Bago pa 'ko makalayo sa harap ng gate, may sasakyan na mabilis ang takbong dumaan sa 'kin. Nasulyapan ko ang taong nakasakay sa front seat. Since the window was open, I took a glimpse of a particular girl.
She has a black hair that is dancing with the wind, ebony eyes that are glistening in happiness, pointed nose, and a bow-shaped lips that is smiling widely while talking to the person on the driver's seat.
She has something that made me stop from walking and faced the road that they passed by. Ilang segundo akong tulala at nang ma-realize kong para akong timang na nakatayo do'n ay napailing ako at napatawa.
What the hell, Kheir?
Is shooked my head again and finally continued to walk.
Her face didn't leave my mind for days until she entered our room at the university.
One of my blockmates ran into her and embraced her happily. I think they're friends. They stayed talking while hugging but I also stayed staring at her. I couldn't even listen to Tyn's blaberings because I looked like shit, staring at that girl.
Saka lang ako napaiwas ng tingin nang nakaupo na siya sa upuan na nasa gitna. We were in the left side so I can stare at her whenever I want but I refused to do so.
I don't want her to be more uncomfortable as she is now.
During her introduction, when Yolovin asked if she's single, I don't know what's wrong with me but I just found myself pissed that I even grumply put my book on my table that made them look at me, even when she looked at me.
When our eyes met, I felt like I had just met my future. It was her.
Parang nanuyo ang lalamunan ko nang tiningnan niya ang buo kong mukha at kumunot ang noo niya. And once in a while, I become conscious on what the hell do I look now.
Few seconds later, my eyes landed on her trembling knees and hands that were holding the table for support that made me smirk.
So she's affected too, like how she affects me?
After lunch, before culinary time, I just found her talking to Yolovin. I don't know but I definitely intended to break their conversation because I felt something unusual on my chest.
Nang makarating na 'ko sa loob ng culinary room, Tyn immediately ranted about her exes. Pinagmukha ko lang na nakikinig ako sa kaniya kahit hindi naman pero parehos kaming napaayos ng pagkakatayo nang sa mesa na kung saan kami nakatayo si Vion pumwesto.
Tyn actually tried to talk to her but when I glared at him, he stopped from opening his mouth and gave me a confused face. Napaiwas lang ako ng tingin at tumikhim. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin nang dahan-dahang nagpakita ang ngisi sa labi ng loko!
Mukhang kilala na niya talaga ako.
During our baking time, I kept glancing at Vion from time to time, which made Tyn's smirk wider.
He nudged me and wiggled his brows. "Type mo, pre?"
"W-what? Ngayon lang natin siya nakilala tapos… type agad?" Pagkunwari kong tanong.
Natatawa siyang umiling na para bang sobrang bobo kong umakting.
"'Wag ako, Kheir! Alam ko na kung bakit ganyan kumilos ang mga torpe—"
Umiling ako na para bang sobrang dismayado ako sa kaniya. "Kung wala kang ibang paggagamitan ng bibig mo, subukan mong manahimik, baka mas magustuhan mo."
"Gago!"
I tried to stop myself from getting close to her but I just can't do it. I even told Tyn to be the partner of the other girl on our table so I can be free to be Vion's partner.
Lumapit ako sa kanya at huminga ng malalamin. "Nauna ako sa 'yo,"
Her brows furrowed that made me more nervous. "So?"
I stood proudly. "Wala kang ibang choice, kundi makipag-partner sa 'kin."
I badly wanted to have a conversation with her and I also wanted to taste what she baked!
I cursed myself a lot of times because I sounded demanding at that time. I even said a lot of reasons that made her misunderstood and uncomfortable at!
Tikman 'yong sa kanya? Seriously, Man?
But I didn't regret it, I had a good talk with her.
Nang makauwi sa bahay, agad akong magmano kay Lola na nanonood ng telebisyon. "Magbihis ka agad. Sinabihan ko ang bago nating kapit-bahay na pumunta dito sa meryenda— Ano bang pangalan no'n? Vino? Voin? Ah! Vion 'ata yon!"
Napatigil ako sa hagdan nang bigla niyang binanggit ang babaeng kanina pa nasa isip ko.
S-she's coming here? That means I need to look presentable!
Nagmamadali akong umakyat sa hagdan para itungo ang kwarto ko. May sinigaw pa si Lola pero hindi ko 'yon masyadong naintindihan. Basta may salitang "banyo".
Nagpalakad-lakad ako sa loob ng kwarto, hindi mapakali. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit hindi ako mapakalma!
I frustratingly brushed my face and throwed myself on my bed then screamed on top of my lungs.
Napatigil ako nang may biglang pumasok sa isip ko. Ba't ba ako natataranta? As if were meeting for a date.
I ended up wearing my usual clothes because I finally convinced myself that she's just here to eat, not for me.
Mas lumakas ang kabog ng puso ko nang marinig ko na ang boses niya mula sa labas. Napailing ako nang may kasamang kalabog ang sigaw niya.
Nang makarating na 'ko sa labas, she was currently being scolded by our Neighbor, Uncle Mel.
She was so cute that It even took me a few seconds before finally interfering in their conversation—or more like a sermon, because I was busy scanning her.
And when she finally looked at me, I felt like the time was just frozen and all I could see was her.
I'm dead.