Chasing Mr. Right

Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

SOBRANG KINILABUTAN AKO noong sinabi sa akin ni Anya na gusto raw niya akong maging boyfriend kaya dali-dali ako noong lumabas. I just told the nurse that I have some important thing to do to make sure that someone will still attend to her kahit na umalis na ako. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mararamdaman ko nang marinig ang sinabi niyang 'yon. Pero sa hindi malamang dahilan, para bang nanaig ang takot sa akin noong araw na 'yon.

It was the second week of the new year and it was still the school break, but I decided to go back to school already for my duties as a student leader and to review. We spent our Christmas for the first time at Luna's province since Tita Lia invited the whole family, including mine and Xavier's. I thought it would be awkward, but Tita Lia's and Luna's relatives welcomed us all warmly as if we knew each other for so long. Having a bigger family made the Christmas celebration wonderful.

In New Year, Xavier's family hosted the gathering. However, it was only my and Scarlett's families who attended since Luna and Tita Lia spent the New Year with her dad's relatives. We just promised to visit on their province again before the second term starts, and after enrollment.

Dahil school break pa rin ngayon, naging kampante akong hindi magku-krus ang landas naming dalawa ni Anya pero ganoon na lamang ang takot at kaba ko nang makita ko siya sa library.

Her face immediately lit up when she saw me entering the library. "Symon!" she shouted.

May mangilan-ngilang estudyante pa rin ang narito sa library ang sumaway kay Anya kaya bigla itong napatakip sa kanyang bibig at nakita ko pa itong bahagyang tinawanan ang sarili. Nagpaalam siya sa kanyang kasama at pakiramdam ko ay para puntahan ako kaya dali-dali akong naglakad patungo sa librarian para magpaalam na pumunta sa section ng mga libro para sa law school. Kaunti lamang ang mga tao doon at masyado ring focused sa pag-aaral kaya makakapag-aral ako nang maayos doon.

Xavier told me that I was being so hard to myself when he knows I could really nail it. But law school is no child's play. Hindi porket grumaduate ka o candidate ka as summa cum laude sa college, hindi ibig-sabihin noon ay ganoon ka na rin sa law school. That was what some people I know who entered law school told me. Hindi lamang utak ang kailangan sa law school. You also need hard work and perseverance.

"Good morning, Miss Maria," bati ko sa nasa mid-40s na babaeng librarian na naka-assign sa law books section. "And happy New Year."

"Happy New year, too, Mr. Valera. Pirma ka na lang d'yan," nakangiting sabi sa akin ni Miss Maria. "Bakasyon pa rin ngayon, ah? Why are you here?"

I shrugged then grabbed the pen to sign on the logbook. "Student leader duties and reviewing for law school," I answered.

Miss Maria giggled. "You're such a hardworking kid. We all know you can manage to law school, so take it easy," she said.

"I can't be too comfortable, though," I replied.

"Mag-lo-law school ka?"

Napalingon ako sa nagsalita at nakita si Anya na nakasilip sa logbook na sinusulatan ko. Dahil medyo may kataasan ang counter kung saan naroroon ang logbook na sinusulatan ko, parang bata habang nakakapit sa edge ng counter si Anya at nakatiad pa ito.

"Why are you here? It's still school break," I asked her nonchalantly. "Don't tell me you failed one of your subjects?"

"Hala! Hindi kaya!" Sagot nito kaya nagkibit-balikat na lamang ako.

"I work here, 'di ba, Miss Maria?" Nakangiting sagot nito tsaka lumingon sa librarian. "Good morning pala, Miss Maria. Happy New Year!"

Miss Maria giggled fondly to Anya. "Yes, yes, she works part-time here," she said, informing me before turning to Anya. "Good morning and happy New Year, too, Miss Fontanilla."