Fundamentals of Marriage | Suarez I

Chapter 6

"Did he put poison on my food?"

I am talking to myself in the same manner as the professor is talking in the front with his PowerPoint flashed on the big projector screen.

I am not even listening. Wearing a pair of judgemental eyes, I am surveying the bag. What if it is part of their plan? What if once I opened it, it will explode like a bomb, or is my first instinct right? He put poison on my food, didn't he?

Kamakailan lang, I pointed out his trust issue. Ako rin pala, hindi pa kayang magtiwala dahil aware naman kaming pareho sa posisyon namin.

We are meant for each other. We are both cowards to leave our fate behind. My reason is that I have nothing. I will starve, live in the streets and die without all this wealth and my family.

"Ms. Legazpi, would you like to answer the second question?" our professor asked.

Without second thoughts, I stood and answered supported by facts and shreds of evidence. I got a round of applause from my classmates. It's awkward, we are only sixteen in the room.

Hindi ko ugaling mag-isip ng kung ano-ano sa tuwing may klase. Once I focused my eyes on the board, walang kahit anong bagay ang makadidistract sa akin. I never thought it will be a person.

After the class ended, it's time for lunch or should I say snack since eleven is too early for lunch. I did not eat breakfast, no wonder my stomach is growling at this moment.

"Era, sabay ka sa 'min maglunch?" Vanessa asked.

"Sure. Saan kayo kakain?" I started putting my things altogether.

"Sa cafeteria lang."

Perfect. Not in fast food. That is my only worry.

Vanessa, Krystal, and I go to the cafeteria. I like them. Among all my classmates, they are the most approachable. Hindi toxic katulad ng mga naiinggit sa akin. First of all, they should not be insecure. Wala naman silang kaiinggitan sa buhay ko.

But I guess we are all like that. We envy people we don't know because their story is half told, seen from a specific perspective. I cannot blame them.

"Anong order mo, Tala?" tanong ni Vanessa sa kaibigan.

"I'll go for beef."

"Beef din?" It seems like pareho sila ng bibilhin. "Manggagaya kang babae ka. Ginaya mo na nga crush ko pati ulam ba naman? Baka gustong gayahin kulay ng panty na isusuot ko bukas, sabihin mo lang."

I failed to hold back my laugh. They always talk like this. Krystal's face distorted. "Gano'n talaga. Friendship goals." She did a weird expression.

"Ikaw Era? Anong sa 'yo?" si Vanessa.

I was about to answer when Krystal interrupted me. "English daw dapat para maintindihan ni Era."

Ang masunuring si Vanessa ay pinatulan ang biro ng kaibigan. "Hey, you! Eat-eat, what?"

I know she is just faking it but it was very funny. I laughed so hard before giving her an answer. "May lunch ako, hindi ako oorder," natatawa ko pa rin na sabi.

"Tignan mo. Pinahirapan mo pa ako, hindi naman pala oorder."

Nag-irapan silang dalawa. Tumayo si Vanessa sa dulo ng maikling linya samantalang naiwan kami ni Krystal sa lamesa. I thought it will be awkward since we do not usually hang out even just around the university but madaldal siya. Kaya habang naghihintay ng pagkain nila ay kung ano-ano ang tinanong niya sa akin.

"Nagulat nga kami nandito ka rin. Sa totoo lang, hindi mo na kailangan mag-advance study kasi daig mo pa AI sa talino."

I chuckled. "That is a big compliment. How I wish to be a robot."