Kiss of Sunset

Kabanata 17

Kabanata 17: Ruined

It became a routine for me. Waking up pursuing my goal and ignoring her presence. It's been days since our last conversation. Things between us changed a lot. Everyday, I am reminding myself that being distant is the most secured to do.

The university is currently busy, due to the upcoming Foundation Day which will held the next day. Magkakaroon ng booths, games, performances, and live band ang paaralan. Binigyan kami ng oras ngayon para asikasuhin at i-finalize lahat.

Our section divided into two groups. Nagkaroon ng bunutan kung sino ang magkaka-grupo. Ms. Carson led the other group and she assigned someone who will lead us. We are on the Request Booth area and the other group are on the designated booth they tackled.

And now, we are helping the other group para mapabilis ang paggawa. Ramdam ko na rin ang pag-iwas ni Ms. Carson sa akin. Hindi niya hinahayaan na magtama ang landas naming dalawa. Siya na mismo ang umiiwas kapag alam niyang makakasalubong ko siya. Hindi na rin niya ako tinatawag sa mga recitation.

Alam kong ginagawa niya rin 'to para sa kapakanan ko but I admit... it hurts a lot.

"We can have our water break for 15 minutes." Ms. Carson announced. "Besides, it is almost done. Really, I appreciate all your efforts and time for this upcoming event." She smiled sweetly.

I miss those smiles.

"Hoy, huwag papahalata," bulong sa akin ni Cassie pagkatapos niya akong sikuin. "Siguro, kung nakakahubad lang ang tingin, wala ng saplot si Ms. Carson ngayon." Dagdag nito bago tumawa.

"What's funny, Ms. Irman?" Biglang tanong ni Ms. Carson.

I saw Cassie gulped. "Wala po, Ms. Carson." Tugon nito bago sumikbit sa aking braso. "Nakakatakot pala talaga siya magseryoso. Kyrie, pwede ano?"

"What?"

"Pwede balik kayo sa dati— aray naman, Shai!" Asik nito nang pukpukan siya ni Shai ng isang rolyo ng cartolina.

"Ang lakas ng boses mo. Sa tingin mo ba hindi naririnig ni Ms. Carson mga sinasabi mo?" Sabi nito bago itinatapat ni Shai ang cartolina sa pagmumukha ni Cassie. "Umusog ka. Ako ang tatabi kay Kyrie. Shupi!"

"Pangit mo!" Ganti naman ni Cassie bago siya lumipat ng pwesto.

"So ayon, you good?" I nodded my head. "Dati, si Ms. Carson lang ang nahuhuli naming nakatitig... ngayon, ikaw naman. Tama nga siguro si Cassie. She loved you first but you love her harder. Let's just hope that—"

"I'm not hoping anythi—"

"Akerson," halos mabingi ako sa narinig ko.

"Well, you sure about that?" Shai smiled at me, more like teasing me. "Seem like you miss her... no, you really miss her. I can sense it. Masyado mo nang pinapakita ang nararamdaman mo."

"Don't make me repeat—"

"Opo," sambit ko tsaka tumayo. "How may I help you, Miss?"

"Can you make kulay-kulay her world daw, Kyrie?" Pang-aasar ni Cassie kaya siya muling hinampas ng cartolina ni Shai. "I mean, can you paint daw 'yung background since you are the most trusted person in her eyes este the most idealistic student of this section."

Hindi ko na 'yon pinansin at tumingin lang ng diretso kay Ms. Carson. "Ms. Carson?"

"She's right— no! I mean, this. Do this." Aligagang sambit nito sa akin kaya natawa lang ako. "What's funny, Akerson?"

"Nothing," I answered. She's cute.

She rolled her eyes. "Kailangan ko 'yan sa office." Sambit nito at binigay ang materyales.