More Than Anything (Absinthe Series 4)

Kabanata 1

Kabanata 1

More Than Anything

School starts in a week. The sorority had been busy recruiting freshmen and sophomores to join our organization. So far marami naman yung nag-file at nag-pasa ng forms. Some have good reasons in joining while others…well, let's just say they wanted to join for popularity.

Napasimangot ako nang makabasa na naman ng hindi kaaya-ayang rason. I immediately separate the form and proceeded on checking the other one. Naramdaman kong may tumabi sa akin habang nagbabasa ako. Tumigil ako at bahagyang ibinaba ang papel.

"How's cleaning the grounds?" I asked Talia. Puno ng pawis ang kaniyang noo. Napangiwi ako.I grabbed a roll of tissue and handed it to her. Tinanggap niya naman.

"Exhausting. Tapos ka na ba diyan? I want to eat out."

"Hardly finishing. Nagc-cringe pa ako sa mga sagot dito." I chuckled. She rolled her eyes. Habang pinupunasan ang mukha ay tinutulungan niya ako sa pagche-check.

"It's Mia's work right? Bakit sa'yo nai-assign?"

"Busy siya. She's attending meetings preparation for the org."

Napa-ah lamang si Talia. After about twenty sheets more, napagpasyahan kong tumigil na muna. Ibinalik ko ang mga forms sa ibabaw ng desk ni Mia. Okay lang naman na hindi matapos basta ay masimulan lang.

Talia and I went to a carinderia near the campus. Since it's past one o'clock in the afternoon, less lang yung mga taong kumakain. Kadalasan punuan kapag lunch time talaga.

"Will you invite your brother to the org party? Siguradong bored na yun sa condo niya."

"He has friends naman. At hindi yun nabo-bored agad. He goes clubbing every night ever since he came here. Hindi mo lang alam na laman yun ng mga bar sa Batangas."

I rolled my eyes remembering Sylver's behavior. Hindi nga kami nagkasama sa halos tatlong taon pero alam na alam ko naman ang ginagawa niya. My brother and I were not that close before. Noong umalis ako ay galit nga ito sa akin. But I tried reaching out to him, hoping he would understand me. Alam ko namang naguguluhan rin siya kung bakit ayaw kong umuwi simula noong pumasok ako sa college. It's too difficult for me. Mahirap din sa akin na iwan ang aking pamilya but I chose this path. Tinitiis ko lang kasi ito ang gusto ko. I've had enough of insecurities, that's why.

Siguro nagpapasalamat na rin ako na naiintindihan ako ni Sylver. He even followed me here kahit na alam kong ayaw niyang iwan sina Mama or is it even his choice to be here in Manila? Pero kahit ganoon pa man, masaya na ako. I would never think that I am alone again.

Friday night came. It was the org's party. Our org, Zeta Alpha joined hands with Alpha Chi (boys fraternity) to organized the party. Kaya rin naman busy si Mia sa mga meetings ay para dito.

The school field was decorated with lights and such. May malaking sound system sa unahan at may malakas na music na tumutunog galing doon. Iniba ang venue para hindi masikip sa aming lahat. The new and old members were invited. Kahit magdala ng mga kaibigan ay pwede basta may dalang ticket para sa venue. We're to pay five hundred for the ticket, though. Kasama na doon ang drinks.

Tinulungan ko sina Talia sa mga bisita. We were assigned to check the tickets as well as sa mga walk in na bibili pa lang. I felt like the ground is shaking from the swarm of people and music. Hindi pa man nagsisimulaay ramdam ko na ang saya ng mga dumalo.

"Oh, look at that! Ang hot nila oh!" I heard Kirs said. Mula sa pagbibilang ng ticket ay nag-angat ako ng tingin para makita ang kaniyang tinitingnan. Kirs and the others were giggling. Sinundan ko ang kanilang tingin.