Ballad of the Street Lamps (Landmark Series 1)

Chapter 1

Tamsin's

I WAS WALKING gracefully and confidently in the hallway of the school. I know that everyone was looking at me, which I get every time. Sanay naman ako so it did not really bother me. Katatapos lang ng freshmen orientation which started at 3:00 PM kanina and it was finished at five. Ang class naman is at 5:30. Hindi ko nakasama sina Leto and Santi because they went somewhere pa. Nakilala ko sila kanina sa orientation so I assume na friends na kami.

I was wandering around the school looking for my long time crush, Cairo Baltazar. He was a second year law student of this school. He was the reason why I enrolled in law school. I was so in love with him since I was in elementary. We were family friends kasi but he did not even bother looking at me nor play with me when we were kids. Ayaw niya akong lapitan kaya I'll do the move. This is the 21st century naman so an aggressive woman is now acceptable.

Nakita ko naman si Cairo sa labas ng library. My brows furrowed when I saw him talking seriously to a woman. They were both looking at a book. Nilapitan ko naman si Cairo.

"Hi, Cai! Fancy seeing you here," I sweetly greeted him. I looked at the girl beside him and raised my left brow. I rolled my eyes and return my gaze to Cairo, who looked so dashing in his formal attire. Hinawakan ko pa ang necktie nito upang ayusin.

"What are you doing here, Thomasine Arde?" his brows met while looking at me. He was the only one who calls me by my full name. He didn't know that I enrolled in his school. I did not bother telling him because I wanted to surprise him.

"Well, surpise! I also enrolled in law school!" I said while spreading my arms.

"Damn," he silently cursed. Binigay niya sa ate girl ang book then pulled me somewhere. Nakarating naman kami sa medyo tagong part ng school, sa ilalim ng street lamp sa gilid ng chapel.

"Why? Are you not surprised?" I asked him, confused.

"You do not belong here! I mean no offense meant, Thomasine, but you are supposed to be in New York or London or wherever doing your fashion stuffs!" may diing saad ni Cairo.

"What are you talking about? New York or London or wherever can wait! I am here para mapalapit sa'yo. We've known each other since childhood and hindi mo naman ako nilalapitan so I'm making a move right now. Besides, we are gonna get married soon naman because your dad and my dad is planning to arrange us. Isn't that wonderful?" kinikilig kong sambit.

"Listen, Thomasine. I am not going to marry you. That is the reason why I entered law school. If I finished law school and passed the bar, my father will not pursue that marriage plan. And besides, hindi ka bagay dito sa law school. Hindi ito yung mag-aayos ka ng damit o kung ano man ang ginagawa mo sa fashion school. So, please, get back to your senses!" he angrily said then walked away. I was left dumbfounded. I didn't expect that I'll hear that kind of discouragement from him. He seemed to imply that I am dumb. Napayuko na lang ako. I didn't realize that my tears are already falling. Napahikbi ako.

"Ang sakit naman niyang magsalita," I just said in between my sobs. "Di bale, baka he's worried lang na hindi ko kayanin ang law school. Right. He is just worried."

I'm still crying habang nakayuko when someone gave me a white handkerchief. I know that it was from a guy because of his hands. I accepted it without looking. I wiped my tears and about to say thank you but he was already gone. I just sighed and kept the handkerchief in my bag. I gathered myself and decided to just go to my classroom.

            When I entered our room, everyone's looking at me. I flashed them my warm smile kasi they deserve it naman I guess.

            "Hello, classmates!" I cheerfully greeted them. Our room looks like a mini auditorium. I decided to sit at the front, in front of the professor's desk. Our first subject, according to my prospectus, was Persons and Family Relations. I didn't know about this subject so I just shrugged. The professor will teach anyway so why would I bother.