ONLINE CLASS SERIES #1: LOVE ON ZOOM

CHAPTER FOUR

I thanked Miguel for what he did that day. Hindi ko alam kung bakit lagi sila nag rereact ng heart emoticons. Whenever Miguel will say my name, my classmates are always there to react, always heart emoji. Hindi ko naman na pinansin 'yung mga 'yon. They are always teasing us.

Miguel did not seem to bother anyway. But I am really bothered.

"So find a partner. Pwedeng hindi na 'yung lagi niyo ka-partner. Para ma-iba naman, okay?" My teacher in CPAR said.

I messaged Alexa and asked her if she have a partner. She typed 'yes.' Alexa is my best friend. We always talked on Messenger. Minsan tumatawag siya. But when online classes started, hindi na masyado. I did not even tell her that I am having Zoom meetings with Miguel.

I asked other classmates if they have partner, they said. 'yes' also. I don't know if what I will do. Natapos na ang time para sa pag-hahanap.

"Okay sino ka-partner mo, Alexa?" my teacher asked.

"Si Danika po." Alexa said.

My teacher asked my classmates kung sino ka-partner nila. "Denise who is your partner?" She asked.

I turned on my mic. "Wala pa po, sir." I feel embarassed.

I saw Miguel in his raise hand emoticon. "Yes Miguel?"

"Wala rin po akong partner. Kami na lang po ni Yohann partner." Miguel said. My classmates automatically reacted hearts and some typed in the chatbox 'sana all.' Seriously what is happening?

"Okay class! Until Friday lang 'to. Use your time wisely. I'll leave the zoom meeting. I have class after this." My teacher said.

"Guys, gusto niyo ba mag leave na? Through messenger na lang kayo mag-usap?" Danika, the president asked us.

I clicked the 'yes' button. Some of my classmates clicked the 'yes' button. So I left the meeting and decided to take a nap first. I did not message Miguel first. My eyes hurts a lot. I don't wanna wear glasses! I will look old.

I took a nap and decided to eat my merienda. I did not check my phone for hours today. Gusto ko muna ipahinga ang mga mata ko.

"Den sumama ka sa'kin. Mag grocery tayo." My mom told me. Umiling ako pero hindi ako pinayagan. "Hindi ka pwedeng umiling! Mag Ma-Maynila ka na sa susunod na taon!" Pasigaw na sabi sa'kin ng nanay ko.

"Mom! May pandemic! I cannot go outside." I reasoned out. Ayoko talaga lumabas. Actually, takot ako lumabas ever since the pandemic started.

"Hay nako, Den naman! It's just for today, okay? Your dad will not go home this weekend. Kaya ako lang pwede mag-grocery. Kaysa naman si Talia ako mag pasama? Hindi ba't mas bata 'yun?"

Kaya naman wala akong nagawa. I changed my clothes. I just wear a long blue dress that I bought from Zara last year. And I chose my black sandals from Charles and Keith. I got my Prada hobo bag and put my alcohol and phone in there. I also put my face mask before I hop into the car.

Mag-mula noong mag lock down, I did not go outside. Ngayon lang ako ulit nakalabas. And I missed this. I missed dressing up. But now, I don't want to go outside because I am scared of the virus.

We are now in the grocery store. The guards checked our temperature first. I was about to follow my mom when the guard asked me."Ilang taon ka na, ine?"

Nakaka-offend ha! Muka pa rin ba akong bata? Anyways, its okay kaysa naman sa mukang matanda. "I'm 18 po." Actually, I am not 18 years old. But a few weeks later, I will be 18.

Ayaw pa rin nila maniwala. "May ID ka ba ine?" I shooked my head. Bakit ako magdadala ng ID?

"Papasukin niyo ho siya. Kilala ko siya, kuya." I looked at the guy behind my back. I don't know who he is. Bakit niya sinabi na kakilala niya ako?

"Sorry ho, sir. Mukhang bata e." The guard said. Sumunod na ako sa mom ko maglakad. Pero bumalik ulit ako kung nasaan ang lalaki.

"Mom I'll text you po. May kausapin lang po ako. Classmate ko po." I said, lying. I went to the guy.

He is a tall guy. Hindi ko masyadong makikita ang buong mukha niya, because of the masks and face shield. He is wearing a white polo and a khaki pants. His shoes are from Nike and it's color blue.

"Hi." I said, smiling. What the hell? Why am I smiling? He can't see my smile behind my mask. "Uhm who are you? Do I know you? Are we batchmates or what?" I asked, confused.

"I am your batchmate. I own this grocery store." He said. "You're Den right?" I nodded. "Hi, Den! I'm Alonzo." Umakma siyang makikipag shake hands nang bigla akong umiling.

"No shake hands right? Social distancing po. But its nice to meet you, Alonzo." I said and walked out to find my Mom.

When we went home, I checked my phone. Its been hours since I used it. And I am thankful that my screen time lessened.

I opened my facebook and checked if I have Alonzo on the friends list. I was in the middle of checking it when my phone beeped. Sunud-sunod ang pag-tunog nito. I checked my Messenger and damn! Ang daming messages ni Miguel.

Miguel Willson:
yohann, are u free tonight? let's start the task already

Miguel Willson:
yohann, ikaw ba mag host sa meeting natin?

Miguel Willson:
take your time to resst, yohann.

Miguel Willson:
hello yohann? hindi ka pa nakapahinga? its alright. we can start tomorrow.

Damn! Bakit ko ba kasi nakalimutan?

Den Rodriguez:
hello, miguel!! i am so sorry po. i went to the grocery with my mom. and my eyes hurts a lot.

Den Rodriguez:
we can do it later :)

Miguel Willson:
sige lang
pagod ka pa ba? mag pahinga ka muna.

Den Rodriguez;
no its really okay, miguel.

Miguel Willson:
okay.
leta just do it tom

Bakit parang ang cold niya yata? I did not reply to Miguel's message. I just reacted a thumbs up on the message itself. I browsed on my facebook and my notification beeped.

Alonzo Medina sent you a friend request
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