Paper Memories

Chapter 24-III

Chapter 24-III

 "Hon, pwede ba sunduin din kita mamaya?" Percival ask as he held the car's door open for me. When I step out I notice how the parking lot is still dead quiet. Ang aga ko na naman pala dumating." Ang alam ko wala ka namang commitments ngayon sa play niyo. We can have a dinner outside or a drop by a café."

"I'll just text you--- pero may ipapaasikaso kasi ako kay Gregory."

"Oh, can't I do it for you instead?"

"Hindi, kay Gregory na lang. Hindi rin akong comfortable na palaging kang pumupunta dito sa school." I softly explained as I slowly walk towards the hall with my boyrfiend. Ngayon ko na lang kasi siya napapagbigyan na samahan ako sa campus." Ayaw ko nang mga naririnig kong sinasabi ng schoolmates ko tungkol sayo. Yung iuutos ko kay Gregory, direkta ko kasing dapat sabihin."

He nodded, his lips forming into a line."...If you say so."

Napalingon ako sa kanya." Babawi naman ako."

"I'll forward to that day, Hon. Pero huwag ka magpakapagod ng sobra ngayon, okay?" Inakbayan niya ako habang malambing ang pagpapa-alala niya sa akin. I want to teasingly scold him for his public display affection, and how he's an arrogant painting of mine." I'd end up missing you because I can't see you 24/7. Sana ikaw rin."

I poke his cheeks, ngiting-ngiti siya." Bolerong painting."

Inabot niya ang kamay ko, our fingers interwining." See you later, Hon."

"Painom tayo sa general assembly ng bukas? The freshies and sophomore deserves a little fun." I overheard a guy speaking just few steps away from us, nahaharangan lang sila ng mga kotse at poste sa parking lot." But damn the org president is strict as fuck. Parang hindi marunong gumimik kahit minsan."

I heard his companion chuckle." Sige, ikaw na bahala sa inumin."

The first guy grunted, bagot na bagot siya." Let's slip in some alcohol then?"

"Loko 'to mahigpit na sila, sino ba naman kasi ang nagpahuli na lasing dito sa loob ng campus? There's no way who you can sneak in enough beers for the org." I step in to listen more to their conversation. Pamilyar ang boses na 'to sa akin. As I carefully hide behind the cars I took out my phone." Ano na lang gagawin mo? Replace the bottles one by one? Or ask the others to bring their share?"

Ex-boyfriend siya ni Nabi, he smugly grinned ."Sounds like a good plan.

While his companion expressed his dismay, but without the intention to actually help." Nagpapasikat ka na naman sa mga bago niyong members sa Film at Photography Club."

"Nah, they're good kids--- they won't like me at all. I'm sure some of them haven't even tried a drop of alcohol or rebel. Wala akong pake sa kanila, pero may naisip lang ako na experiment." The way Nabi's ex-boyfriend phrase his words made my stomach churn, but the sinking feeling seems intoxicating." So I thought it would be fun to see them loosen up, have some chill. Hindi yun iinom kung alam nilang alak ibibigay ko. Pero ayos lana naman siguro, kung haluan natin ng konting ang alak ang drinks general assembly diba?

"Natin? Labas ako jan, bro." Tanggi ng kausap niya." Bahala ka pagnasusuka yung mga yun o nagkaallergic reaction

I click my phone's recording again, and turned around to walk away from the scene. I don't want to be caught by them but Percival is on my way. Gusto ko nang makalayo pero nakaharang siya sa daan, punong-puno ang mukha niyang concern." Are you going to report them, Hon? Narecord mo naman sila..."

"Yes, yes. I would. Mauna ka na."

"Y-you're not planning on doing anything else, right?"

I smiled, assuring him." Of course, wala na. Ano bang iniiisp mo gagawin ko?"