Fourth of October (Juntarsiego Series #1)

Chapter 15

Feeling their warm welcome to me on their circle seems unforgettable now that they are exposing me on this kind of thing. Kanina pa kami nandito ngunit puro tawanan ang kanilang ginagawa. The bond that I've never experienced in the province before.

Sanay na sanay si Chantal, ang nag-iisang babae sa kanilang magkakaibigan na makipagsabayan sa mga lalaki niyang kaibigan. They look high on their looks now. Inaabangan yata nila ang bawat pagpasok ng mga customers.

Pansin kong parami ng parami ang pumapasok dito sa loob. Hindi katulad nila, hindi ako parang iyong tsismosang umaaligid sa bawat napapadaan sa pintuan. I choose to focus my attention to them, watching like it's the only part I can afford to use.

Sa huli, nang napansing naging tahimik lang ako sa bawat oras ay ako naman ang sinabon nila ng tanong ngayon. I sipped another drink of the milktea they offered to me, preparing myself for their questions.

"Alam mo, wala kaming masyadong alam sa'yo bukod sa nagpipinta ka nga. Dito ka ba nakatira talaga?" Chantal's voice has this deep curiosity now. Nakaabang na rin sa isasagot ko ang tatlo niya pang kaibigan.

Saglit kong inilagay sa gilid iyong iniinom saka pinahiran ang gilid ng labi. The background's too noisy but enough for them to hear what I am going to say.

"Sa probinsya ako galing. Natanggap ako ng scholarship dito sa Manila kaya dito na ako nag-aral," maikli kong tugon na ikinatango nila. Ilang bote na ang kanilang nainom pero hindi pa naman sila mukhang lasing.

Her face is a bit red now. I can smell the smell of the drink she's drinking from her mouth. I didn't react on that since it's not that ugly to smell. Just a bit hard to inhale it.

"Gano'n ba? Gusto mo bang maging teacher talaga? Like magtuturo ka sa mga estudyante, gumawa ng lesson plan tapos araw-araw manenermon?" I can feel her uneasiness while asking me that. Sigurado akong hindi iyon dahil sa iniinom niya. Iyong boses niya ay may halong pait saka iyong pagkadisgusto sa bawat pagbigkas ng mga salita.

I glanced at her friends who are now elbowing her like preventing her to spill something. My soft eyes traveled with their faces as they showed care and gentle expression for their only girl friend. Sa puntong iyon, ramdam ko ang kagustuhan nila sa kanya bilang isang tao. They care so much for her.

"Gusto kong maibigay lahat ng makakaya ko sa pagtuturo. I chose arts as my major since I do love painting. I'd like to share my skill so teaching people is my way," tugon ko naman pero napangiwi siya. One of her friends neared his distance to me and whispered to my ear. Iyong mainit na hininga ay nagbigay ng kaunting kislot sa akin.

"She's not into teaching. She was forced by her parents to study that though she loves to do something else." He then went far from me after that. Umusog ito upang hindi sitain ni Chantal.

I know the idea of that. We all have differences. Nowadays, if you are rich or even can afford anything and your parents want you to become something they want you to be, feels like you don't have right to protest, to go for something that will benefit you, to follow the path where you can see yourself more successful at the end. Iyong gusto nila ang masusunod at hindi ka man lang tinatanong kung okay ka ba roon sa choice na binigay nila sa'yo.

You can't do anything since they are the ones who will pay for everything you need. Maliban na lang kung may sarili kang perang panggastos sa sarili mo.

"How lucky. Sana lahat, hindi ba?" she said bitterly and gulped another batch of the drink.

Her friends groaned, not being able to stop her from drinking so much. Ang unang akala ko sa kanya ay ma-attitude. From her looks, you can easily conclude that she is one if you won't have a chance to know her more.