Paper Memories

Chapter 16-II

Chapter 16-II

"Madam! Gising ka na? Mag-cutting ka na lang!"

Nagulat ko nang marining ko ang boses ni Gregory, I gave him the gate's key so he could get my car whenever. Nasa front porch na siya ngayon para mambulabog, kaya kinuha ko agad ang bag ko at umalis ng living room. "Ngayon ka lang sa sobrang aga, nag-aayos pa ako sa sala. Nakasalubong mo ba boyfriend ko?"

Napaubo si Gregory." Isa-isa lang! At bakit mo sakin hinahanap?!"

I rolled my eyes."Maybe you just did!"

When I wake up Percival wasn't around, but he said he'd be back by dinner. Nag-iwan lang siya ng note sa kusina kasama ang breakfast ko. So I texted my driver Gregory to pick me up." Kasama mo ba kagabi, Madam? Wala naman akong nakitang nakaparadang kotse sa labas eh. Ah sandali! Nandyan na ba yung bagong kotse mo? Test drive na natin! Iingatan ko, promised! Ang rami-rami mong kotse na itatambak niyan! Di ka naman nagddrive!"

Ah, kaya pala siya maaga." But you didn't really see Percival?"

Gregory sighed deeply." Hindi nga!!! Siya ba ipapamaneho mo?"

Para tong tanga, I just talk back. "Wala pa, sa Saturday pa nga."

"Madam naman! Dali na. Paano nyan pagnatuto ka na magdrive?" Gregory insisted while he was opening the garage, kahapon kasi napagkwentuhan ko siya nung nakasalubong ko siya habang hinahanap ko si Ronald."Edi, wala na ako para masubukan man lang yan."

Bigla akong nagka-ideya." Pwede naman turuan mo ako magdrive."

Tuwang-tuwa si Gregory sa alok ko kaya sobrang daldal niya hanggang makaabot kami sa school." Seryoso yun, Madam ha? Yung bago gamitin natin pag tinuruan kita? Ipapamaneho mo din sakin?"

"Yes. Yes. May tanong muna ako---- kilala mo ba ang pamilya ni Ronald?"

"Ah, yun? Matago yun Madam. Hindi sayo nagk-kwento?"

I shook my head placing my thumb on my chin. Napaisip ako kung hanggang saan ang ipapaliwanag ko kay Gregory." Curious lang ako, hindi ko na kasi nakikita madalas nitong buwan. Tapos two days ago muntik na siya mapagbintangan ng mga pulis."

Napawak si Gregory sa batok niya." Ah...Alam ko kung san siya nag-t-trabaho? Sa kabilang baranggay lang. Gusto mo puntahan natin?

That's a tempting offer. Pero baka magalit si Ronald.

That's why I just dropped the topic of Ronald. I feel guilty knowing how wary he is when it comes to others and that, because of me, he thinks he's an obstruction.Hindi siya distorbo, hindi niya kailangan alalanin ang selos ni Percival. Even on the way to school that's all I think about.

I only snapped out of my thoughts when I spotted Ralph.

He was immensely staring at the bulletin board. Lalagpasan ko sana siya kaso nakita niya ako binigyan ng matamis niyang ngiti." Hey,Sheena ---Hinatid ka ba ni Percival? You must be in a good mood, aren't you? That romantic."

I try to force my face to the good mood he wants." Lamangan mo?"

Ralpg chuckled." Eh? Wala akong girlfriend?

"Then maybe you find an object of your love---of your passion. Ah, san tayo unang titingin? Hanap tayo? Sa likod mo? O baka sa harap? I'd help you, Ralph."

"Baliw to, biro lang yung sa girlfriend! My passion is in law and I swear on your name I'd be the top attorney in Philippines. Well, that's if I survived the debate completion I've been eyeing to join at yung major ko mamaya. Dun na lang ako."

"You should find a muse like poets do." I dared.

"Pleasure isn't all what's the heart after, Sheena." He teased.

We continue to joke and trade well-versed delusions, but it was time for me to attend my class. Napapahaba na ang usapan namin, sobrang gaan at saya.

So when we say goodbye in the class hallway, the smile he gave me is still sewn in my mouth. I checked my expression on my phone, and I was now indeed in a good mood.Pero nung makarating ako sa klase ko, naging kalkulado ulit ang ekspresyon ko. Kahit lumalapit man sa akin ulit si Nabi at Ricos ay malayo ang loob ko sa sariling block. When the issue from last school year resurfaced that night before my birthday, my own block was the first one to make fun of me and stab me in the back again.

Paano na lang kami magkakasundo pag binigay na ang assigments para sa Art Month?

"Ms. Sheena Clio Cervantes. You're going too."

Nanahimik ang buong klase ng tawagin ang pangalan ko sa ipapadala sa Theater Arts Block 3. I was called last.I raised my hand while my whole block is murmuring about me." Pero diba may plano rin ang block natin? I think I'm better suited here. It's not like my paintings are that bad to be not displayed, right? Pati rin kila Nabi at Ricos..."

Napatikhim ang class adviser namin." Your whole block can't rely on its aces."

I flinch, was that a compliment? Pero nanindigan ako." I'm not Ma'am..."

She flick through her paper." Tradition na na'to ng Art Department, class. May "exchange students" tayo kada art month. Pinagpapalit-palit ang students para tumulong sa naiibang major sa kanila. Now, the Theater Arts blocks is gaining more attention outside the school,the faculty thought they needed more help. You're needed there, Ms. Cervantes."

I can still hear my classmates snickering. Strikto ang adviser namin kaya sa mata nila ay parang pinagpalitan ako ni Ma'am. Pero buti na lang nagsalita si Gwen. Our block representative, she's trying to comfort me." Well, Sheena...Aside from painting you're good prosthetic makeup and props....Maybe that's why they choose you as well....You'd be a big help to them... Magaling naman maghandle at direct si Kiera..."

I bit my lip."Ah, then if there's no choice..."

When I glance across the room, I saw how Nabi and Ricos were just nonchalant about their assignment. Walang kaso sa kanila na sa iba sila mapupunta. Maya-maya nga nilapitan na ako ni Nabi." Let's go, Sheena. Theater Arts would be having a meeting remember? If I would be there anyway, I prefer to be assigned in the wardrobe. Kaya sabay din na tayo papunta sa venue, at pauwi after ng meeting."

I glance up." You don't hate it?"

Nabi grimace, so she hates it. Kakaunting klase lang kasi ang nagiging merge block kasama ang Theater Arts at bihira kami magkasunod Habang nagkkwento, bigla niyang tinuro si Ricos." Syempre oo, they're weirdoes there. Yan nga ang hirap tiisin."

Ricos heard us, kaya itinaas niya ang kamay niya." I'd be where Ate Sheena is!"

Napahawak na lang ako sa sentido ko. He's skipping cheerfully towards me, I can't just understand how he could be energetic now and sickly again later." Sigurado sa pag-paint ng backdrops lang naman tayo---mapapagod ka sa iba at baka kung ano-ano pa i-assign sayo."

Nagkibit balikat lang si Ricos." I'm happy as long as I'm with you, Ate!