Conquering Territories: Completed

5

Murmurs were now heard inside the room. May ilang nangangarap na sila raw ang mapipili para sa program. I couldn't blame them since it's a one-time opportunity for us. Even I do want to be part of the program.

"Ang exchange program at sa pagitan ng school natin at ng partner school natin sa China. Isang student from each department ang kukunin para ipadala sa China," she said. Sa paraan ng pagsasalita niya, parang ibinebenta na niya kami sa China.

"Sa unang tatlong buwan ay magkakaroon kayo ng isang blockmate galing China. After that three month, saka naman ipadadala ang student galing dito sa school natin patungong China."

I was about to ask something but, someone entered the room. The room turned silent as the sound of his footsteps echoed inside the four cornered room. The same brushed up hair and dark rimmed specs welcomed my sight as he entered the room. That was him, the same man that I bumped. It was him, Ravin.

"Good morning. I'm Ravin Zhang, an exchange student from Beijing, China. Please be good to me," he said before bowing down. Puffed screams were heard inside the room after they saw Ravin. Halos mahimatay na ang mga tao sa harap ko dahil sa nakikita nila.

"Makakasama natin si Mister Zhang dito sa campus sa susunod na tatlong buwan. I hope na ituturo niyo sa kanya ang mga dapat malaman dito sa loob ng campus." The professor roamed his eyes around the room, as if looking for something. "Zhang," he looked at Ravin before motioning him to the seat beside Jacob, "that would be your seat for your whole stay here. Kindly take a seat."

The whole class went silent after that. I bet Ravin was now conscious because of the stares the whole class was giving him. Halos lahat ng tao sa klase ay nakatingin na sa kanya.

"Before I forgot," the professor caught everyone's attention, "I want someone to be Ravin's buddy throughout his stay inside our campus. Anyone?"

Almost everyone raised their hands, making our professor smile. I bet he was already expecting that thing from the class. Halos lahat ng estudyante sa loob ng kwarto ay gustong mapasali sa program. A simple thing like assisting the transferee would be a great thing to higher the possibilities of being chosen.

"Excuse me, Sir." Everyone's eyes turned to Ravin who was now raising his hand. The whole class lowered their arms after seeing him. "Can I choose my buddy?"

"Sure, Zhang." The professor smiled at him. "Do you have someone in mind?"

"I actually do have, Sir," Ravin said before glancing in my direction. "I want him to be my buddy, Sir."

My heartbeat suddenly became frozen as I heard those words. Bigla na lang akong napatingin sa kawalan. I do want to be his buddy for the sake of grades but, I'm not expecting that thing. Hindi ko naman inaasahan na ako ang pipiliin niya.

The professor looked at me with a creased eyebrow. "Is it okay with you, De Luna?" he asked with curiosity present in his voice. Pakiramdam ko ay hindi rin niya inaasahan na bigla na lang akong pipiliin ni Ravin.

"Yes, Sir," I answered, trying not to stutter.

Matapos ang ilang oras, namalayan ko na lang na tapos na pala ang klase. The whole time the professor was tackling about something, my mind was busy daydreaming about the possibilities of Ravin being Vin. I really couldn't help but to think about those things.

"Hey."

My thoughts were interrupted after someone called my attention. The same muscular built welcomed my sight as I looked at him. Bigla na lang akong kinabahan dahil sa biglang paglapit ni Ravin.

"Uhm, hey," I awkwardly answered. Hindi ko naman alam kung paano makikipag-usap sa kanya. "Do you need anything?"

"I just want to ask you a favor," he said, acting shy. "Can we start the buddy thing tomorrow?"

I tried to contain my chuckle but, my body betrayed me. Para kasing batang nahihiya ang hitsura ni Ravin. It was way too contrasting on his appearance.

"Sure." I smiled at him. Isang maliit na ngiti rin ang nabuo sa mga labi niya. Sapat na ýon para mawala ang ilang sa katawan ko. Hindi ko alam kung anong sumapi sa katawan ko nang bigla na lang gumalaw ang mga labi ko.

"Please, don't be shy with me. I don't bite."

It has been minutes since Ravin walked away yet, I still couldn't process what I just said. Halos ilang minuto na rin akong nakatulala sa loob ng classroom dahil sa sinabi ko. That thing was kind of weird for me to hear and for me to say. I guess my inner demon took over me that time.

I tried to shrug those thoughts away and travelled my way out of the campus. Ngayon lang pumapasok sa akin ang kahihiyang ginawa ko. Alam ko na wala naming malisya ang sinabi ko pero, nakakahiya pa rin. Maybe my inner saboteur played some tricks with me. Siguro inaatake na naman ako ng sakit ko.

Instead of going home, I just found myself inside the community's cemetery. The cool breeze of the place enveloped my skin. The sound of the rustling leaves echoed inside my ears, making my nerves calm. It was silent. It was peaceful.

"Nandito na ulit ako," I said as I reached my parent's tomb. A faint smile was formed on my lips as I stared at them. Matagal na rin nang huli ko silang makita. It has been years since they left me alone. Longing and sadness enveloped my whole system. Hindi ko pa talaga kaya.

I removed the dried leaves that covered the tomb before I lighted a candle. I comfortably sat down in front of them after I offered them a prayer. Halos nasanay na rin ang katawan ko sa kung ano ba ang dapat na gawin pagdating dito. Hindi ko hinahayaan na hindi ako makabibisita sa kanila sa loob ng isang linggo.

"Kumusta na kayo dyan?" I started while looking at their tombstone. I couldn't help but to stare at it even though memories started to flash inside my mind. Masakit pa rin. Normal naman siguro na masaktan pa rin mmakalipas ang ilang taon.

"You know what, Ma, Pa? Pinili ako ng professor namin para sa isang contest. It's an inter-campus contest." I talked and talked as if there was someone in front me. Kapag siguro ay may napadaan dito, iisipin nila na may tama na ako sa ulo.

"That was our dream, right?" A faint smile was formed on my lips while remembering those times. When I was young, my parents once told me that they wanted to see us successful. They wanted to see us winning our own field. Mga bagay na hanggang pangarap na lang.

"Bakit kasi- Bakit kasi bumitaw kayo agad?" That's it, I lost myself. Hindi ko na na pigilan ang sarili ko na umiyak. It has been years yet, I'm still here, crying on my parents' tomb.

Like an innocent child, I blurted it out. "Akala ko ba, hindi kayo bibitaw? Bakit umalis kayo agad?" I stared at their names to calm my nerves but, I couldn't. They promised me that they would stay by my side. They promised me that they would stay until I reached everything that I wanted. Mga pangako nila na napako na lang.

"Wala naman na akong magagawa, 'di ba?" I dried the tears that escaped my eyes before fixing myself. I should accept that they couldn't come back anymore. Wala na akong magagawa kun' di tanggapin na wala na sila. "Ma, Pa, wherever you are, please guide me. Hindi ko kakayanin na wala kayong dalawa. Hindi namin kakayanin ni Kuya na wala kayonng dalawa."

Hours passed by until I found myself waking towards nowhere. Ilang oras rin ang inilagi ko sa sementeryo para kausapin sila Mama at Papa. It was already dark when I went out of the cemetery. I blurted out all the shits I've done and experienced for the past days. Hindi ko pa rin kasi kayang sabihin sa mga kaibigan ko ang mga problema ko. It's just me, and the lifeless tomb of my parents. Kami pa rin ang magkakasama.