Salem's Eyes (COMPLETED)

02 Salem

Pagkatapos ng libing, agad akong nagpunta sa school para ipasa 'yung inayos kong thesis kahapon dahil ngayon ang due nun. Actually, I was running out of time. Kailangan ko pang magpa-book bind ng tatlong copies for the library, our adviser and for the subject teacher.

We weren't able to do this early because of the death of Amara's mom. My cousin needed me by her side. I just couldn't leave her.

I was very exhausted. I stayed up all night to help. Tapos alas nuebe pa ang libing kaya wala na akong oras pa na matulog.

Alas kwatro na ng hapon natapos 'yung pinapa-book bind ko. I even paid an extra cash for them to finish the books this day. Balak pa kasi nila akong pabalikin bukas dahil marami daw mga thesis na nakapila.

Nakahinga na ako nang maluwag noong naipasa ko na 'yung thesis namin.

I went to the cafeteria to get myself a drink. Naupo ako sa isang table doon para makapagpahinga saglit. I wanted to call my mom to fetch me but I realized that she must be busy taking care of Amara and her siblings. Kahit na inaantok ako, parang kailangan ko pa rin mag-commute.

Some of my classmates came to me to offer their condolences. They looked so hesitant at first. I never onced interacted with them because I wasn't friendly. Iilan lang ang nakakausap ko but I knew all their names and their class standing. I haven't had any long conversation with any of them except if needed for school. I always stick with Amara. She talks for me. Kaya kahit na hindi naman talaga s'ya 'yung dapat ka-partner ko sa thesis, gumawa s'ya nang paraan para sa akin s'ya mapunta. It was fine with me but she knew that I'd carry everything.

Pagkatapos kong inumin ang tubig na binili ko ay lumabas na ako sa cafeteria. Sumabay ako sa buhos ng mga estudyanteng palabas na ng school. Oras na nang uwian kaya tiyak na pahirapan ang pagsakay nito.

I just wanted to rest because it has been a long week.

On the fourth bus, I was able to hop in. Ang buong pag-aakala ko na makakapagpahinga na ako ay biglang nabura noong makita kong punung-puno na ang bus. Lalabas na sana ako pero natangay na ako ng mga ibang estudyante na nagsi-sakayan na.

For goodness' sake, it would be almost an hour ride. I don't think my body could make it any longer. I needed to atleast sit.

"'Yung mga nakatayo d'yan, atras kayo sa dulo dahil may mga aakyat pa! Atras! Atras pa!" sigaw nu'ng kondoktor.

Nakatigilid na ako dahil marami na ring nakatayo. Everyone behind me was pushing me to go further kaya isiniksik ko ang sarili ko sa dulo.

I should've just called my mom.

"Teka, ako na sisiksik sa loob. Excuse me. Excuse me, brad."

My head snapped at that familiar voice.

"Brad, excuse lang. Pasensya na ayaw kasi umatras nung iba. Excuse me."

I could feel the sweat dripping at my back. I needed to shower after this. It has been a while since I've experienced this. Noong nasa eleventh grade kami, nasanay kaming magcommute ni Amara. During junior high, we had a service. When Amara finally got her license, this nightmare just ended.

Isinuot ko ang backpack sa harapan ko at niyakap iyon. It was really heavy because of my laptop. Isinandal ko ang likod ko sa gilid ng isang upuan para makakuha ng balanse.

"Tangina, ang hirap talaga sumakay nang ganitong oras." I wasn't surprised when I saw that familiar red beanie in the middle of these bodies. Sumisiksik s'ya papuntang dulo dahil wala na talagang pwesto at ayaw umatras ng iba.

When our eyes met, I knew that he recognized me right away. He smiled at me like we've known each other for a long time. He even settled in front of me. Agad s'yang kumapit sa bakal sa taas dahil umandar na ang bus.