Embrace Your Assets | ✓

Kabanata 27

Kabanata 27

Gusto ko sana ibalik 'yong mga album na binigay n'ya sa akin. It was supposed to be a joke, hindi ko naman inaasahan na magiging totoo ito sa kan'ya. I know I have rich classmates but not on that extent.

Hindi naman sila bigla-biglang manglilibre ng mga album! Hindi naman lahat ng nasa school na ito ay sobrang yaman. I, for an instance, I'm on a half scholarship. Nandito lang naman ako dahil kay Philomena at Mila. Hindi dahil sa kaya talaga ng mga magulang ko ang tuition ng school na ito.

I waited for the right chance to talk to Gio but there wasn't any chances given for us to talk together. His absence from yesterday made him busy for today. Marami siyang hinahabol ngayon dahil sa isang absent lang n'ya. Ika nga nila, isang araw na absent mo lang ay katumbas nito ang tatlong araw na hahabulin mo. That's why I rarely took absences from classes despite being unmotivated from time to time.

"Sorry, pero hindi ko 'to kaya bayaran." hinaing ko habang pinapanood ang patuloy na pagkuyakoy ni Etienne sa kan'yang upuan.

I went to his classroom to bring the albums back. Ayoko isipin ni Gio na tinanggap ko talaga ito. Alam ko na sayang pero ayoko naman lalong sumama ang loob ni Gio. Although, I know he'll understand. Ayoko lang talaga na isipin n'ya pa ang tungkol dito. I'd rather give it back to him.

Tamad lang akong sinipat ni Etienne. His grey eyes only made me feel tense. Napalunok pa ako dahil sa katahimikan n'yan.

"Don't you think it's rude to return a gift? Mali ba ang pinabili ko?" tanong n'ya.

"Hindi naman, pero hindi naman ito pera mo kaya. . ."

"Who said it isn't my money?"

Hindi ako nakasagot agad. I forgot that some rich kids already have investments in their young age. Baka isa si Etienne sa mga gano'n.

Ngumisi si Etienne.

"Bakit mo ba ibabalik? Someone got jealous?"

"Huh?"

"Gio, isn't it?" Etienne asked. Hindi ko alam bakit nilamig ako sa tono na gamit n'ya.

How did he know?

"Kung sa gan'yan pa lang ay nagseselos na siya, paano pa kaya sa hinaharap? Will you always need to adjust base on his jealousy? It's just a gift, Ate Paulene. Bakit siya magseselos doon?"

Hindi ako umimik. What he said was kind of true. Pero alam ko naman na hindi gano'n si Gio. Hindi naman siya sobrang seloso, he isn't even possessive and his jealousy only made me feel that I don't give enough adsurance to him.

I bit my lower lip. Oo nga naman, hindi ko pa nga siya sinasagot. At wala nga naman talaga siya pinanghahawakan. It is basically my fault for making him feel that he's not enough.

I sighed. Mukhang hindi madaling kausap si Etienne. Minabuti ko na lamang tanggapin ito at umalis na ng classroom nila.

"Do you want me to explain it to him?"

I was stunned for a second. Hinabol pala ako ni Etienne sa labas. I immediately shook my head. That's not needed. Baka lalo lang sumama ang timpla ng mood ni Gio.

Akala ko talaga ay 'yon na ang huling pagkikita namin. . .

Pero lumipas ang nga araw ay lalong naging mas kapansin-pansin ang presensya ni Etienne sa buhay ko. He would even treat me to lunch since sometimes our time would get entangled together.

Hindi ko alam paano tumanggi. I have always just ran away from it or find an excuse when things are not going in my favor. Pero parati akong nahaharangan ni Etienne. He knows exactly how to find me.