Serendipitous Encounter

Kabanata 22

Kabanata 22...
Surprises

Sabi nila, madalas ang pag-ibig ay nasa tabi-tabi lang. Kung saan hindi mo mare-realize na ilang beses mo na palang nakasalubong, hindi mo lang napapansin. But for me, it's the otherwise. My love is nowhere near me, but is somewhere far away from me.

Internet love is just a game. It's just like playing a game and getting either attached or addicted by it, they said. Yet, I say no.

Perhaps those who said that have been played with who they called "love". For Asher and I, we're different. We have a thousand of miles amid us, thus we found love in each other. Love that I've never felt before, love that I probably search for even before.

He lights up that part of me that I've never seen before. He made me more alive...

"I love you..." I whispered as I stare at him leaning on his bed, all eyes on me.

Naalala ko dati nang mga unang buwan pa lang kaming nag uusap, whenever we talk to each other at night, nasa kanilang garahe s'ya para mag exercise, ngunit ngayon ay pinili n'ya na lang akong kausapin sa kan'yang kwarto.

He said the work out can wait, and I can't because I'm damn sleepy.

"Hm... I love you too," he chuckles. "What's with you today?" Tumatawa pa ring sabi nito.

"I don't wanna go to school anymore," I groan.

"What? Now that you're almost there?!"

I sigh.

I've now survived the first week of our finals, thank goodness. But then, there's still a week more. Bukas ay lunes nanaman, panibagong bakbakan sa paaralan.

I'm graduating...

Matatapos na ang lahat. Makukuha ko na ang diploma ko. It feels surreal, yet terrifying.

"Euphie, ano? You want to get this? Tinatanong na 'ko ni Rene, 'di ako makasagot cause I'm waiting for your answer."

I roll my eyes before looking at Tita Roselia.

"Tita, I already told you. Finals namin ngayon. Hindi ako pwedeng kumuha ng modeling gigs. Maybe kung sa ibang araw, but this week, I can't."

Bumuntong hininga ito at umirap lamang sa akin.

She's been bugging this for a week now. Pangatlong paliwanag ko na ito sa kan'ya, yet she's still insisting. The shoot she's saying is a day from now, at may exam pa kami noon. I just can't go.

The first shoot I had is successful. Distinct from what I projected, hindi pala ganoong kita ang muka ko. Tila tatlong segundo lang akong nakita sa buong commercial. Nevertheless, I think it really has an impact. I gained more than a thousand followers on my social media, so I say it's a good exposure.

Sa school habang lunch ay ganoon pa rin kami, hindi nag uusap at tamang kain lang. Lalo na ang mga ito since their courses are a lot difficult than I have.

As much as I want to rant to Asher, I can't call him dahil alam kong tatagal lamang ang usapan at sa dulo, wala akong mare-review kahit ano. Ayos lang naman ang messaging for both of us though, since it's their finals too.

Eight day of our finals, I feel like crying. I mean, I know I'll graduate, but studying is just so frustrating! Kumpara sa ibang course ay madali na ito, mabuti na lang talaga at hindi ako kumuha ng komplikadong course.

"I actually want to pursue Architecture before. Since I like drawing, designing and stuff," I sipped on my coffee.

It's lunch time. Imbis na mag review para sa susunod na exams ay hindi ko na lang ginawa. Besides, it's just a minor subject. Madali na iyon para sa'kin.