Strings and Arrows

Chapter 27

Today's the second day of our Foundation Week.

Kasama ko sina Sav at Zeal dito sa Cafeteria kung saan namin napag-desisyunang tumambay. Masyado na kasing crowded ang grounds namin ngayon dahil sa mga booth displays.

"Nakita niyo ba 'yong Cheerdance Competition kanina? Grabe 'yong mga Engineering student no?" sambit ni Sav.

"Hindi ko nakita eh. Busy kasi ako doon sa booth display ng class natin."

"Hay Best. Hinay-hinay ka lang. Naiintindihan naman nina Pres ang nangyari sa 'yo eh. You don't have to stress yourself too much."

"Oo na. But I can't help it. Pag may nakikita akong dapat ayusin, I can't stop myself from fixing or doing it. Alangan namang tumunganga lang ako kahit na may dapat gawin."

"I get your point pero sana isipin mo naman muna ang sarili mo diba? Diba Zeal?!"

At naghanap pa ng kakampi sa katauhan ni Zeal.

"Tama. Hindi naman masama kung iisipin mo muna 'yong sarili mo lalo na't kakagaling mo lang sa aksidente."

"Okay fine. Sige, I'll try not to worry too much about things na. Happy?"

"Happy!" Masiglang sagot naman ni Sav.

Napahinga na lang ako ng malalim. Para lang din talaga akong may nanay dito eh.

"Wait lang guys ah? Puntahan ko lang ang booth natin. May inutos nga pala sa 'kin si Chelle." Pagpapaalam ni Sav at umalis na.

"Ikaw Zeal? Wala ka bang gagawin?"

"Pinapalayas mo ba 'ko o nagtatanong ka lang talaga."

"Pwedeng both?"

"Aba. Well, manigas ka diyan dahil wala akong gagawin ngayon."

"Ha. P'wes, ako meron. Diyan ka na nga. Aayusin ko pa 'yong snacks ng mga kaklase nating nagbabantay sa booths." I said at iniwan na siya. Dumiretso agad ako nang classroom namin para kunin ang mga tubig na ibibigay ko sa mga kaklase namin sa baba.

I tried to carry ten bottles nang biglang maglag-lagan ang mga boteng hawak ko.

I picked them up one by one nang may biglang tumulong sa 'kin.

I looked at the guy who just helped me when he handed me some of the bottles.

"Uh. Thank you." I said.

"It's okay. Do you need some help?"

"No no. It's okay. Nakakahiya naman. We just met at aabalahin na kaagad kita."

"I don't mind. I just want to offer some help. Mukha rin kasing nahihirapan ka. If you were in my shoes right now, I know you'd do the same right?"

Well, he has a point though.

"Okay. Sabi mo eh. I'm Spirit by the way."

"I know."

"What? Y-You know me?"

"U-Uh yeah. Isang beses kasi nabanggit ng kaibigan ko sa 'kin na may na-aksidente raw."

"Oh. Umabot pala 'yon sa inyo?"

"Yeah. Slight." He said with a small smile.

"And you are?" I asked

"I'm Matthias. Matt for short." He said and took some bottles from the box.

"Hey Matt."

"So where are we headed to?" Nakangiti niyang tanong.

I think this guy's fine though. He seemed charming naman.

"Campus Grounds. Ibibigay ko kasi 'to sa mga kaklase ko."

"Campus Grounds it is."

Marami-rami rin kaming napag-usapan ni Matt while we were on our way towards the school grounds.

Simple things like what he wants and what he doesn't want.

Marunong raw siyang kumanta at mag-piano. He's also a President of an Organization, I forgot to ask what was it. Nalaman ko rin na he's very strict when it comes to rules dahil naniniwala raw siyang ito ang makakapag-disiplina sa ating mga tao.

We all should observe one hundred percent obedience to the law raw para sa ikauunlad ng bansa. And anyone who dares to violate any of it are deserving to be punished. Lalim diba?

Nagkaroon pa kami ng konting debate about giving second chances on people who failed to follow the rules. Syempre, pinangatawanan na niyang against talaga siya.

After a few while ay nakarating na kami ng booth namin.

I started distributing the water bottles at tinulungan naman ako ni Matt.

When I was done giving the water bottle and was about to talk to Matt ay bigla namang dumating si Cupid.

"Spirit." He said at pakiwari ay tinago ako sa likuran niya na para bang nilalayo at pinoprotektahan niya 'ko laban kay Matt.

What's wrong with this guy? Baka mamaya ay ma-offend itong si Matt sa inasta niya. Ganito ba siya sa mga taong kakakilala niya lang?

I looked at Matt's reaction of Cupid's behavior towards him. Worrying that he might be offended but good thing at nakangiti lang ito. Mabuti naman at parang walang napansin itong si Matt. He's such a kind person pa naman.

"H-Hey Zeal. It's okay. He's a friend."

"Hey there Zeal." Nakangiting bati sa kaniya ni Matt.

I was about to introduce Matt to him nang biglang magsalita si Zeal na talagang ikinagulat ko.

"Matt." Madiin niyang sagot. Ano 'to? Nagbabanta ba siya? Sa tono ng pananalita niya, parang hinahamon na niya ito ng away ah.

"Wait. You know each other?" Nagtataka kong tanong.

"We're just acquaintances. Right Zeal?"

"We'll talk later, Matt." He said through greeted teeth. Giving emphasis to every word.

I saw Matt shrugs his shoulder at tumingin sa 'kin. Ngumiti siya bago nagsalita.

"I'll be going now Spirit. It was nice meeting you." He said at sumaludo pa bago tuluyang tumalikod at umalis.

"What the hell was that Zeal?"

"Anong 'what the hell was that'!? It should be me who's suppose to ask you that question. And since when did you and that guy became friends? Kung makaasta kayong dalawa parang ang close close niyo na ah. You don't even know him that well! Spirit naman."

"Teka nga. At kailan rin naging big deal para sa 'yo na magkaroon ako ng bagong kaibigan? You weren't like this towards Carlo, Clara and other people. Ano bang problema mo kay Matt!?"

"Damn that guy. Stay here. 'Wag kang aalis dito."

Bago pa man ako makapagsalita ay umalis na agad siya.

Ano bang nangyayari do'n sa lalaking 'yon? Daig niya pa ang babae sa pagiging complicated.

Hindi ko na lang pa inisip 'yon at binalingan na lang ang ibang mga gawain ko dito sa Booth. Tatanungin ko na lang siya pagbalik niya rito. I deserve some explanations para naman maintindihan ko kung bakit ganoon na lang siya umakto kanina. 'Yon naman kung sasabihin niya nga.

Knowing that guy, I'm sure mas malaki ang chance na hindi niya sasabihin sa 'kin kung ano ang nangyayari.