Akala

KABANATA 12

Kabanata 12 : The View

I'm just sipping my cappuccino while listening to them talking. Lucas is sitting across me in between my brother and his sister while on the other side is me and my mama.

Nag-obserba lang ako kay Lucas sa ginagawa niya. He's eating cake right now. Without even saying a word. He doesn't feel bothered.

Umangat ang tingin niya at saktong nag landas ang tingin namin sa isa't isa. Too late na para makaiwas ako. Pero still, I looked away.

"Briella," Miss Sundelle suddenly mentioned my name at tiningnan ko siya.

"You'll be having your first meeting with the student council sa Lunes tungkol sa foundation. I'm giving you heads up about you spending the night at school." she reminded me.

"Okay po, sa Student Council Room lang po ba yung meeting?" tanong ko.

"Yup. You should go together with Lucas, he's joining too." napahinto ako at nalagay kaagad yung cup sa mesa. He's joining too? Is this his plan?

"Anak, mabuti naman may makakasama kang kakilala mo," sabi ni mama at tumingin kay Lucas. "Lucas, ikaw na bahala sa anak ko, ah, tutal magkakasama naman kayo lalo na sa overnight niyo doon sa University." Ma, you don't know who you're talking too. He's a devil in disguise.

"Ma, Briella is old enough to take care of herself." Claude objected with what mama just told to Lucas. Mabuti naman may kakampi ako dito. Kita ko na matalim na tiningnan ni mama si Claude.

Kita ko na nilagay ni Lucas ang tinidor niya politely sa plate at tumingin kay mama with a plastic good boy face. What the?! Isang malaking kalokohan yan.

"Sure po, Tita." at nagbigay siya ng isang matamis na ngiti kay mama. Right after that ay nilipat niya ang tingin sakin and he gaved me that annoying kind of smile again. Mapapasabunot ako sa sarili ko ng walang oras. Demonyo talaga ang lalaking iyan. Pati si mama nahuhulog sa patibong niya.

"Ma, I'll be fine. I don't need him. Kaya ko na ang sarili ko gaya ng sinabi ni Claude." I assured mama ulit. I just don't want to stick with that guy.

Mama faced me at ako naman ang binigyan niya ng matalim na tingin.

"Briella, mabait naman talaga itong si Lucas. He also wants to get close and to know you more." Is she asking me to go and meet the demon in his lair? No way.

Tumango nalang ako sa sinabi nila and all. Ayaw ko na makisali. Hindi ko kaya na makita sila na napapaniwala sa kabaitan ng Lucas na iyan.

Lumabas kami ng Cafe na magkasama. Yup, you're reading it right. Magkasama. Ayon ni mama gusto niya daw makabonding si Miss Sundelle. I have a hint that she likes her for Claude. Yeah, obviously. Pati rin ako. I like her for kuya. She's the ideal one.

Mabilisan akong pumunta sa library at hindi na hinintay ang palaging sumusundo sakin.

"Briella, just sit with me here sa desk. I'd like to talk to you." ani ni Evette ng nakapasok ako sa Library.

Lumapit ako doon at nilagay ang gamit ko sa isang space dito. Pansin ko na wala pa dito si Lucas, pati rin si Ayven hindi niya ako sinundo kanina sa room. He must be doing something, he's not even obliged to pick me up.

"Gagabihin tayo mamaya, sa Student Council Office ang meeting natin. Our agenda will be our concept for this year and activities that will be held here." tumingin siya sa relo niya at inangat ulit ang tingin sakin. "Later this six pm, you should be well prepared for this. Works start later, pressure will be on us." she reminded me.

Alam kong sa simula pa ay magiging busy kami for preparations. I'm not even included with this if not for Miss Sundelle letting me join the Student Council with their duties.