Head in the Sand (Erudite Series #3)

Kapitulo 25

"Dayang," nilingon ko ang screen ng laptop ko mula sa pagtingin sa phone ko. "Why?"

"Tulog ka na, ako rin, matutulog na," my left brow lifted.

Graham will not sleep once I do.

The past nights that we video-called, I would wake up after napping on my desk and see him still drawing or reviewing for a subject even after midnight. Kaya, hindi na ako naniniwalang matutulog talaga siya pagkatapos naming i-end ang call.

"Promise, I will," he spoke. "Pagod na rin ako, e, babawi ako ng tulog ngayon, promise."

The way he said it seemed convincing, but I knew better. Nonetheless, I let him end the call because I was tired already and was in dire need of sleep, like him.

I lay on the bed and stare at the dark ceiling. The only light I had was my window, the city lights were visible since I didn't really close the curtains.

It had been a week since Graham and I began dating. I expected that we would see each other more often, but I didn't think he'd come to me every day. Sinabihan ko siya no'ng una na sayang ang pera kung araw-araw siyang magbabayad ng 15 pesos para lang makarating sa Faura. But he reasoned that he doesn't mind spending a few cents because I was a view he wanted to see daily. I didn't stop him anymore after that, but I did insist on buying him dinner. He didn't complain, though, sometimes, he'd buy for us.

Lara was the only person who knew about Graham and me dating. Hindi ko muna sinabi sa pamilya ko dahil paniguradong hindi sila sasang-ayon sa bilis ng pangyayari. Maybe in a few months...

"Ang blooming naman, ganito na ba talaga kapag may jowa?" panunudyo ni Lara pagdating ko sa UP.

"Shh!" sita ko sa kaibigan.

"Fine, fine," I sat beside her on the bench.

We were at one of the tables on the campus, near the food kiosks. The cats were roaming near us. The heat from the sun and surrounding cars were making me sweat so much.

Manila heat is on another level.

"Student Center na lang tayo, it's so hot here," I said. "I tried to stay there, but it was already full." I frowned.

Maaga akong pumasok ngayon dahil maaga akong nagising. So now, I have to stay in this hot space. Dapat pala nag-stay muna ako sa unit ko.

"Let's go to one of the classrooms na lang na hindi occupied," ani Lara. "Mayro'n ba? I feel like lahat ginagamit ng profs for classes."

"Check natin 'yong GAB," I nodded and followed her towards the GAB building.

When we got to the third floor, we saw an empty and cold room. We stayed there and talked.

"Gray sometimes sends me messages, I think he's with you when he does."

"What does he say?"

"He tells me na ang ganda mo o na ang bango mo raw. Like, girl, he literally just says, 'she smells really nice, ano'ng pabango niya?' Or, sometimes, he'd say, 'dapat dati mo pa ako pinakilala kay El, ang ganda-ganda niya, tinatago mo lang.' Like? Nakaiirita na sa akin niya sinasabi 'yong mga 'yon!"

Graham was still Graham. Wala naman akong napansin na pagbabago, pero 'yo pala... nagsasabi siya ng gano'n sa pinsan niya.

Para akong kinikiliti sa nararamdaman kong saya! Kulang na lang matawa ako.

Ang cute niya!

"Girl, hindi ikaw first girlfriend niya, pero first time niya maging ganito!"

"Hindi ako? Akala ko..." ngumisi si Lara. "Yeah, you ain't the first girl!"