More Than Anything (Absinthe Series 4)

Kabanata 3

Kabanata 3

More Than Anything

Sumasabay si Crithos sa kanta! His voice was low and soothing at the same time, ngunit hindi ito nakabawas sa aking kaba. He was very close and I find it hard to breathe lalo na at kaharap ko lamang ang nakaka-attract niyang Adam's apple.

He swayed me delicately. Ang aking katawan ay sumasabay na tila dahong tinatangay ng ihip ng hangin. I softly gasped when he turned me around like a ballerina. His fingers tiptoed on the back of my hand.

Sino bang naglagay ng love song sa lista ng mga kanta sa gabing ito?

Crithos continued singing while I was just listening and staring and probably confused as to why he was doing this. Tinitigan ko ang kumikislap niyang mga mata. I loved how angled his eyes were, his high nose, strong cheekbones and pinkish lips. He was molded to perfection. Parang nasa kaniya na ang lahat.

Instrumental ang dulo ng kanta. Doon ko napagpasyahang tumigil at hayaan na lamang si Crithos. He looked down at me like I am a purring cat. Kinagat ko ang aking labi at tumitig sa kung saan maliban sa kaniyang mga mata.

"I hope you know that Sylver does not hate you. So as the others. You can be open to anyone, V. Do not shelter yourself," he whispered. Napaangat ako ng tingin sa kaniya.

I don't know why he was saying these things to me. Hindi ko siya kaano-ano. I am sure he doesn't care about me too, so why? Why bother cracking a selfish bitch like me? Ano bang makukuha niya?

His grip on my other hand tightened. Napasinghap ako at napahakbang paatras.  "You probably don't care about everything, V but I am going to make sure that you do. Starting from now."

"I am the least of your concerns, Crithos but thank you for…this. Hindi ko kailangan ng awa ng iba." Tpid akong ngumiti sa kaniya at hinatak ang aking kamay. He let me go in an instant. I missed the warmth that's enveloping my body but I had to let go. Hindi ko kaya ang init na hinahatid niya sa akin.

Crithos was just a boy, a kid who barely even know the life out of a shell. Kaya siguro niya nasasabi iyon kasi naaawa siya sa akin. Poor me, then. Hanggang ngayon kasi ay hindi ko pa rin nahahanap kung ano yung hinahanap ko talaga.

"Bakit kasi late ka ng nagpa-enroll? We're supposed to have lunch together!" reklamo ni Talia sa tabi ko habang pinagkukumpara niya ang aming schedule. I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"Late ng dumating ang tuition fee ko.  It's a good thing naman na sabay ang out natin," sabi ko na lang.

"Kahit na! Ugh! Sinong makakasama ko sa lunch?" she pouted her bloody red lips. Ngumisi lamang ako at binawi ang aking schedule.

"Find some classmates." I suggested. She just groaned at my response.

Nagpaalam ako sa kaniya nang makarating ako sa classroom. She was left outside still ranting. Napailing na lamang ako bago naghanap nang mauupuan.

Walang masyadong ganap sa first day kasi may dalawang prof kaming wala at may seminar pa. I could accompany Talia for lunch, kahit ngayong araw lang. She was ecstatic about it.

"What do you want for lunch? Libre ko since it's my luck day." She winked.

"Kahit ano. I am not really hungry."

Talia strutted towards the cafeteria's counter. Dahil late afternoon na, walang masyadong tao. May iilan kasing mas prefer na lumabas ng school. Sa kaso ni Talia, isang oras lang ang lunch at hindi ako pwedeng magtagal dahil may next pa akong subject.

Nangalumbaba ako at pinagmasdan na lamang ang paligid. There were many new faces. Ang ilang bagong pasok sa sorority ay nakikita ko ring pakalat-kalat. Some of them are nice during the initiation, na hanggang ngayon naman ay patuloy pa rin. The initiation was easy. Do community service for two weeks. Kahit saan basta may documentary at nakita naman namin ang sipag, pasok na.