SEPTEMBER LOVE IS NOT FOR ME

Prologue

Umuulan na naman. Bakit ba parang galit ang panahon ngayon?

The cold drizzle started to wind up where I was standing, so, I got back a little just to avoid myself getting damped by the rain water.

I checked my watch when I saw that people were getting busy on the road. Inis kong ginulo ang aking buhok sa sobrang pagka-irita. Ayoko ng mahuli sa klase lalo na't bagong pasukan ngayon.

Hindi na naman ba natulog ng maaga si Thyle kagabi?

I was about to take a step on the pedestrian lane when I heard a loud honk behind me. I turned and saw Thyle waving his hands on the driver's seat. Nakuha pa niyang ngumiti kahit nakikita niyang naiinis na ako.

I immediately entered his black sedan, locked the door in his passenger seat and fixed my folded black umbrella.

"Man, that traffic was trouble."

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. As if I would buy his reasons. I know he played until midnight which is the reason why he's late today. I scoffed while he raised his fingers forming a peace sign.

"Bro, 'yong totoo, hindi ko na talaga uulitin."

Napailing ako sa kaniya bago kinuha ang bottled water na binili ko kanina sa convenience store at ininom iyon. He drove, but he immediately stopped when the traffic light changed into red which means that we needed to wait for another thirty seconds before we can step on the road.

We both groaned in frustration. Napakamalas naman namin ngayong araw na ito.

"Kasalanan mo 'to, Thyle. Kung hindi ka naglaro magdamag, nandoon na sana tayo ngayon sa Terania High. I swear, I won't back you up in that game anymore. Kahit pa lumuhod ka."

I really need to attend to school early. I still have to pass my review literature that was a delayed output last school year. Magsisimula na rin ang Academic Festival pagkatapos ng isa't kalahating buwan kaya kailangan ko pang maghanda para sa Math Orals.

"Hindi lang naman ako ang may kasalanan ah. Sabi mo kasi ay hindi ka papasundo."

The traffic light turned into green. Thyle continued to drive. I looked at him with a straight face.

"Kaya hindi ka gumising ng maaga?"

Siraulo rin ito. Ang ganda ng rason, sobrang nakakawalang gana. He didn't admit it, but he scrunched his nose. My assumption is correct.

Agad kaming nakarating sa Terania High. Mabuti na lang at may parking space pa. Nagkalat na ang mga estudyante. Lalo na ang mga first-year students. Mabuti na lang  fourth-year na kami. After this year, we're going to choose our track in senior high. I'm already settled with my chosen track and strand. I just need to work harder and graduate on time.

"Ay tapos na 'yong ulan? Sayang, nag-effort pa naman akong buksan ang dala kong payong. Tsk."

Napatingin ako sa kotseng katapat lang ng kotse ni Thyle. There is this girl who's always with her cousin. We are all in the same batch. They now have straightened hair, so, they look different from what their appearance used to be.

Hindi naman sa parang umiba ang tingin ko sa kanila, hindi lang talaga ako sanay sa biglaang glow-up nila.

"Aly! Eisha! I miss the both of you! Don't you miss me too?"

Ah. How can I forget the smart-ass? She's brilliant even though she isn't acting like one. She was about to jump and hug the girls when Thyle called her.

"Alas! Ang aga mo naman yata ngayon."

Lumingon sa amin ang tinawag ni Thyle na Alas saka sumama ang tingin sa amin. Mukhang naging mapait ang timpla dahil sa itinawag sa kaniya ni Thyle.