Paper Memories

Chapter 24-I

Chapter 24-I

          I don't like the way how some days ends...

But then again I also loathe how a new one beguns. Minsan nakakabagot na lang kung paano kailangan ulitin ang routine para sa panigabago na namang araw. Baka yun ang dahil ng passion at attachment ko sa arts. I want to find and capture the beauty of the world, to see past the normal and ordinary.

I don't distasteful things---not this ugly sight in front of me.

"What's wrong?Your friends?" Ralph baritone voice broke my attention and Ellie chitchats. Pinupunto niya ang grupo ng mga estudyante na nilagpasan pa lang namin, pabalik kasi kaming tatlo sa klase pagkatapos naming magmeryenda. " May kailangan ka ba sa kanila?"

I bit my lip. "...Why would you think I'm friends with them?"

Ellie rolled her eyes." Gagi ka Ralph, yung mga yun talaga?"

Napataas ang kilay ni Ralph. "Wel, Shin was staring hardly at them?"

I sighed hearing his nonchalance, minsan huli din talaga sa balita si Ralph." Ikaw 'tong polsci, parte ng broadcasting team at gustong maging lawyer, but you're not good at gauging people. Those students were a bunch of rule breakers. Naninigarilyo at umiinom kahit sa campus, routine ang mandaya at mga tipong pumasok nang lasing sa klase nila---ang sakit nila sa mata. Tapos sasabihin mong kaibigan ko sila?"

"But you and El know them?" Tanong niya ulit.

"Ikaw lang ang hindi, Ralph." Sabay pa naming sabi ni Ellie.

"Ah, I guess...I'm on my own world, I didn't know that." Ralph awkwardly responded, pinching the piercings he's wearing. Napangiti siya habang pinadaan niya ang kamay niya sa buhok niya." As long they're not bothering you, I guess I wouldn't need to know."

I forced a smile, bigla siyang bumabawi." You would protect me?"

Ralph flash his annoying grin I love and hate." Why not, Shin?"

"Sus, siguraduhin mong ipaglalaban mo si Sheena sa korte, ha? At ikaw na bahala sa akin kapag niresbakan ko ang mga hindi niya kabati!" Ellie playful said as she slipped her hands on my arms, pulling me giddily with her own statements." Put them in their place with your words and serve your justice, Attorney!"

"I always lost though, pero sige next time." Ralph chuckled.

"Bawi ka sa sunod na debate Ralph!" Ellie encourage.

Ralph joking raised his hands as if accepting every ounce his shortcomings. Alam kong hindi naman siya paghihinaan ng loob kahit natalo sila sa group debate nung nakaraan." Sa classroom na lang ako magpapasikat, just wait for it and my wits would be know all over the campus."

I just shrug, but I'm happy he tries."Sabi mo yan, ha?"

He paused, as if hesitating but he showed me his bright smile. Tinalo pa ng ngiti niya yung liwanag ng sunset na tumama sa mukha niya." It's a promise then. I'd be a better man than I am now. So wait for that. Could you, Shin? And you too, El?"

And with the new goal he revealed to me we took separate paths.

Nauna lumiko si Ellie dahil sa ibang direksyon ang Finance department, habang magkalapit lang ang building ng Social Science at Art Department. A little later on, Ralph also waved goodbye to me. Our quick snack and bonding time just make feel recharge. Kada linggo inaabangan ko yung gantong bonding namin, parang sila na rin yung pahinga ko sa gitna ng stress sa acads.

Pero parang bitin, gusto kong lingunin ulit si Ralph----- kaso bakit papalapit sa kanya si Percival?