Drowning Emotions (Isla Series #5)

15

"Tara, Ica. Review tayo."

I felt my shoulders slump in exhaustion as I heard Sab's words. Fourth year was difficult because it focused more on review subjects, which included all of our previous years' lessons from first to third year.

"Game. Sinong kasama?" tanong ko habang sinisiksik ang mga gamit sa bag ko.

"Dustin. May family dinner si Paige kaya hindi makakasama," she replied.

Mabilis akong umiling at binalingan siya. "Pass na lang!" takot na sabi ko sa kaniya.

"Hoy!" Sabrina laughed so hard that she had to cover her mouth with the codal she was holding in her arms, understanding why I was scared. "Grabe ka naman! Once lang iyon! Hindi na mauulit! At tahimik naman kami noon!"

Iling ako nang iling. One time kasi, nahulog iyong sticky notes pad ko sa sahig. It fell under the table so I had to lift up the table cloth, which was probably the biggest mistake in my life because I witnessed something.

"Promise! Sa 'yo ako tatabi!" pangako niya sabay taas ng kanang kamay.

"Please lang! Ayaw ko na makasaksi ng naggigitara sa ilalim ng lamesa!" Inirapan ko siya saka nagpatuloy sa pagligpit ng gamit ko. "I don't even know you have something going on between you. Akala ko self-love phase ka."

She laughed. "Four years na akong self-love, girl! Kailangan ko na ng someone na sisira noon!"

"Kaya iyong seatmate mo ang tinira mo?" I also laughed, hanging my bag on my left shoulder and walking out of the room.

"Ikaw nga kapitbahay," bulong na ganti niya at kinurot ang tagiliran ko.

Agad ko siyang hinampas. She knew already about my relationship. Nahuli kasi niya kami ni Marco and that's when I realized we needed to be more careful. To think na si Sab na walang paki nga nahuli kami, paano na lang kaya kung iyong mga taong sinasadyang mangialam ng buhay ko, 'di ba?

"Be careful," mahinang sabi ni Sab at nag-iwas ng tingin. "Hindi ka pwedeng masira ngayon, Ica. Sabay tayong gagraduate, 'di ba?"

Inakbay ko ang isang braso sa balikat niya. "Oo naman! Sabay tayong gagraduate! Cheer up! Mag-iingat kami," I assured her.

Inaya ko si Zion nang nakitang nakasandal lang siya sa labas ng classroom. "Where to?" he asked, putting his airpods on.

"Saan ba pa? Coffee shop lang para aesthetic mag-aral." Ngumisi ako nang maloko kaya nakatanggap ako ng irap.

Inakbayan niya ako at nagkwento habang naglalakad kami palabas ng building. Siguro siya na ang maco-consider kong boy best friend, aside from Marco.

I updated Marco about my whereabouts before putting my phone in focus mode to receive limited notifications, like text messages from him only.

In the middle of reviewing for Conflicts of Law, my phone beeped. Zion pushed my phone towards me without getting his eyes of his book.

Nalaman kong papunta rin si Marco rito kasama ang blockmates niya. This was also the place they always study the night away kaya nagtatagpo talaga kami. Hindi lang kami sabay umuuwi. Again, we were being extra careful now.

"Aray!" sigaw ko nang sinipa ako ni Sab sa binti sa ilalim ng lamesa. "Ano?"

Ngumuso siya kung saan kaya bumaling ako roon, kuryoso. Nakita kong pumasok si Marco kasama iyong babaeng palagi niyang kasama, and an unfamiliar woman and man. Probably his med school barkada.

"Order lang ako. Do you guys want anything?" I stood up after getting my wallet inside my bag. Umiling lang sila Dustin. I order another latte and waited on the side.