Just the Ticket

Chapter 4

Chapter 4 #jttwbs

My chest was heavy after class. Oo nga at ako naman talaga ang pumayag. Na wala naman ang mga boto nila kung hindi ako nahiyang humindi.

But sad to say, there was an on-going competition between contentment and disturbance within me. Kuntento ako para sa mga kaklase, hindi naman mapakali para sa sarili.

I walked to where our service was with sagged shoulders. Naabutan kong vini-video-han ni Hadya ang sarili. Sigurado akong malapit na ang oras na cadets naman ang bubungad sa amin sa gate. It must be the last string of her freedom.

We waited for the multicab to be filled before it sent us to our houses. Hindi pa naman madilim pagkauwi ko. Hapon lang naman kasi ang uwian namin.

Just when I threw my uniform in the hamper, my cellphone notified me about a video chat from Camara. Nasa kama ito kaya sinagot ko bago ako kumuha ng pambahay na pamalit.

"Huy!— Oh, hello there, kisame! Looking good, huh!" I heard her giggle. Iyon ang kita niya malamang dahil nakatihaya sa kama ang cellphone ko.

Minadali kong magsuot ng damit bago tumalon sa kama at dinampot ang cellphone. Camara was obviously not holding her cellphone. It must be leaning against an object and the lens was directed to her spot.

Her face brightened when I finally showed up on the screen. Napangiti pa siya at kumaway saglit.

"Kauwi mo lang?" she asked, sipping on her fruit shake right after.

Umiling ako, tulala sa pagkaaliwalas ng kaniyang mukha. I noticed that her hair was also dyed back into black. Gone were the brown highlights she had last vacation. It was a good thing or else, she'd be shoved into the guidance office.

"Nope," sinamahan ko na ng boses ang iling. "Medyo kanina pa. Why call?"

"You're the muse? Ini-status ng secretary 'yung list sa FB group natin."

Pansin kong nakaupo siya sa malawak nilang terasa. Hindi iyon tulad sa amin na kaunting espasyo at ilang hakbang lang ang magagawa mula sa pintuan ng kuwarto ko.

Camara's newly done hair was being swayed by the afternoon wind. It added more drama to the beauty she was presenting. Her backdrop was the native tree planted at their wide terrace and behind it was the sky that never leaves.

Lahat ng kita ko ay gawa Niya. Sabi nila, wala raw kasi talaga Siyang ginawa na hindi maganda.

"Oo..." I confirmed. "Ako nga 'yung muse."

Her perfectly shaved thick eyebrow shot up in doubts. "Gusto mo? Kasi knowing you..."

"Not really." Bumuntong hininga ako. "Ini-nominate lang ako ni Luis tapos sinuportahan siya ng iba. But it's okay."

Her eyebrow rose higher. "How come it's okay if you don't like it, Eri?" tanong niya, tumaas ang boses.

"Hayaan mo na 'yon."

"Wait... Did the class team up on you? Tell me honestly, Erisette. Isumbong natin kina Kuya! Walang binatbat ang mga 'yan, tingnan mo!"

"Ano ka ba, h'wag mo na nga sabihin sa kanila," I stopped her in a panicky manner. "Okay nga lang, Rara, okay lang."

Her eyes narrowed. "You sure?"

Tumango ako.

Isa pa, nakakahiya kung sakali kay Ma'am Ruez. Ano'ng iisipin niya kung bigla kong babawiin kahit umo-o ako noong araw na 'yon? Anyway, it would just boil down to my lack of nerve to turn them down.