Not Me

CHAPTER EIGHT

I was surprised when he transferred beside me. Lumipat kasi 'yung katabi ko kanina. Naging close yata siya sa mga magkakakilala na kaninang break.

Of course. Who would choose to sit beside me except for someone na idol daw ang pamilya ko, 'di ba?

I noticed him listening attentively to our professor. In this modern world na uso na ang pagbibigay ng handouts, I was amazed how he industriously takes his notes habang nakikinig sa klase.

"Ibibigay naman daw mamaya 'yung set of handouts. Bakit nagsusulat ka pa?" I whispered.

"Mas natututo kasi ako kapag sinusulat ko. Isa pa, nakakaantok kaya kapag wala kang ginagawa." He answered.

True enough, inaantok na nga ako. I don't know if it's just me but I already find Philosophy boring even though it's just our first day.

I didn't even brought a notebook thinking that I won't write anything. Good thing that I have yellow paper with me since I expected more usage from it.

He glanced at me while I place my pad at the table. I noticed a little smile on his face - maybe a feeling of validation since he convinced me to write.

But joke's on me. Our class ended that I didn't fill even half of my paper because I let sleepiness get the best of me.

I thought he's gonna laugh at me but he didn't. He smiled genuinely na hindi ko naman alam ang ibig sabihin but I felt its genuineness.

When our class ended, I immediately went back to my dorm. Wala naman akong ibang kailangan pang gawin kaya pinili ko na lang magpahinga.

Wala pa si Tonton. I assume na sumama siya sa mga kablock niya ngayon dahil unang araw nga naman ng klase kaya maganda sanang mas nakakapagbonding kayo.

Only if I don't have a secret to hide.

Dahil wala naman akong gagawin talaga, pinili ko na lang matulog and maybe later, I'd explore our university.

Pagkagising ko ay nakita kong nakahiga si Tonton sa kama niya habang nagcecellphone. Napansin ko rin ang rosas na nasa lamesa namin ngayon kaya't inasar ko si Tonton.

"Yiee. Unang araw pa lang, may nagbigay na agad, ah." I teased him.

"Huh? Sinasabi mo diyan?" Nagtataka nitong tanong. "May nag-abot niyan sa akin kanina. Ibigay ko raw sa 'yo tapos sabihin na kitain mo siya sa lobby."

He sounded serious but what he said doesn't really register to me. Sino ba naman kasing magbibigay sa akin ng rosas, e halos hindi nga ako nagsalita sa klase kanina?

I can't think of anyone but Val pero bakit? I really don't understand.

"Are you serious?" I confirmed hoping that he'd admit he was kidding.

"Mukha ba akong nagjojoke?" He answered with another question. "Kinilig na nga sana ako kasi gwapo. Pero ang weird. Bakit niya alam na kakilala kita?"

His question made a valid point and made me realize na malabong si Val 'yon. He barely know me - much more the existence of Tonton.

"Also, why would someone give a rose on the first day of class?" A thing I really can't understand.