In the Midst of the War

Kabanata 3

KABANATA 3.

Teenager.

“HELLO, MOM!” malambing kong bungad sa kabilang linya. Cassandra Sanchez, my mother, called me after lunch time.

“Hi, darling. How are you?” she softly said. Napangiti agad ako nang marinig ko ang boses ni mommy. She’s working in Australia as a manager of a hotel. She doesn’t earn much but she earns enough for the both of us.

“I’m fine, mom. I’m doing good po.” Naglakad ako habang kausap ko si mommy sa phone. Nginitian ko ang mga bumabati saakin.

“Kayo ng dad mo, kumusta?” the smile in my face faded when she mentioned my dad. Nang hindi ako umimik ay narinig ko ang buntong-hininga niya sa kabilang linya. “Darling, are you still not in good terms with your dad? I told you, right? This isn’t your dad’s fault. And I’m oka—,”

“Mom please,” I cut her off even if she’s not done talking yet. I hate cutting my mom’s words like that but if our topic is about dad, hindi ako magdadalawang isip. “Can we stop talking about him just for once? I’m stressed mom, midterms is coming.” Once again, I heard my mom’s sigh on the other line.

“Okay then,” nag-usap na kami ulit ni mommy. She’s very careful not to mention dad because she knows I will not be in the mood. After a few chit-chat with my mom, ibinaba ko na ang tawag. I sighed before turning off my phone. Nakaka-drain makipag-usap kay mommy. At idagdag pang stressed ako dahil sa midterms.

Time flies too fast, really. Parang kahapon lang ay first day tapos ngayon ay midterms na. napabuntong hininga ako habang nagbabasa ng reviewer. Naalala ko nanaman ‘yong band vocalist na ‘yon. It’s been months okay. Akala ko no’ng nakita ko siya sa gig ulit, makakalimutan ko na siya. But the opposite happened! It’s making me frustrated every time his face flashed in my mind.
Akala ko talaga na turn off na ako sakaniya. He’s gwapo and talented and all but he smokes! I hate people who smoke. Hindi ba nila alam kung ano ang epekto no’n sa baga? They will die sooner! Pero imbes na ma-turn off ay iba ang naramdaman ko. I was fucking concerned! Nag-alala pa ako sakaniya dahil sa paninigarilyo niya. I suppose to hate him or be turned off because of his bisyo but argh!

Hindi na ako sumama kay Spica kapag nanonood siya ng gigs. Sabi niya, every Friday and Saturday ang gig ng The Poison sa underground club na ‘yon. At every Wednesday naman ay sa ibang club naman. I fight the urge to watch their gig. That was so out of my character. I never watch gigs! Not until him.

Maybe he was right. It was really bad for me. Pero lahat ng nakasasama ay masarap sa pakiramdam. Napangisi ako.

After my last exam, I’m done for today. I stretched my arms as I walk to the parking lot. This week is so toxic! Hindi ko alam kung bakit magkasabay ang midterms at ang due date ng mga requirements. Good thing nagawa ko na ang mga requirements bago ang due date kaya less hassle for me. pero hindi sa mga blockmates ko. I just don’t get why they’re doing their requirements just a day before the due date.

Spica my genius friend:

Midterm’s done. Off to a gig later. Wanna come?’

I smiled when I read Spica’s text. For the past months I’ve been ignoring her invitations but not today. Crush ko na ulit ‘yong vocalist. Napahagikhik ako bago mag-reply kay Spica.

Rafa Revamonte:

I’m gonna pick you up. Eight-thirty tops!

I WAS ONCE again welcomed by the loud music coming from the band performing on the stage. Kasama ko si Spica ngayon at mukhang masaya naman siya na sumama ulit ako. Medyo marami nang tao nang pumunta kami sa crowd. And again, isang himala na nakarating kami sa unahan ng walang galos. Is this Spica’s special talent? She’s so damn tall but she can manage to dive to the sea of people para lang makarating sa unahan!