Conquering Territories: Completed

13

"Busy ka talaga ngayon?"

I slightly nodded at Aris who was now walking beside me. Umaga pa lang ay sinundo na agad niya ako para raw ay sabay kaming dalawa. After what happened last night, he promised to make up to me but, I still have some review training to do at the library later. Plano sana niya na sabay-sabay kaming apat na mag-iikot sa campus para magpalista sa mga club.

"Bakit ba kasi tinambakan pa kami kahapon," he mumbled. Natawa na lang ako dahil para siyang bata na nagmamaktol. Since we were young, Aris always make it up to me whenever he failed to fulfill his promise. Para pa rin talaga siyang bata.

"Buti pala at di ka tumakas kahapon doon sa mini-stage? Narinig ko sa mga kapitbahay na damang-dama raw nila yung kanta mo 'ah." Aris glanced on my direction with a question plastered on his face.

I shyly scratched my nape because of his remarks. I somehow heard those things awhile ago. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung mas lalo ba akong mahihiya dahil sa mga naririnig ko. Thinking about those things somehow made my cheeks burn. Nakakahiya na marinig yung pangalan mo galling sa ibang tao.

"Namula na nga ang pisngi, parang may kasama 'to sa perya' ah." I felt his grip on my shoulder, facing me on his direction. A sly grin was plastered on his face. The same grin Blake usually make whenever he was thinking of girls. "So, sino munang kasama mo kagabi?"

I immediately thought of Irvin's face. Siya lang naman ang kasama ko buong gabi. Nothing special at all but, my face became hotter as I remembered the moment I asked him to be my friend. Hindi ko na maalala kung saan ko ba hinugot ang mga sinabi ko kagabi. "Wala 'yon"

"Wala pero namula ka? Alam ko takbo ng utak mo, Zon Khaydel." Aris looked at me with curiosity present in his eyes.

"Wala nga," I answered before shoving his hand aside. "Sasabihan naman kita kapag meron." I plastered a small smile on my lips before continuing our walk.

"Siguruhin mo lang. Itatakwil kita kapag hindi ako ang una mong sinabihan."

After several minutes of walking, and fighting, the both of us reached the campus. The festive atmosphere welcomed us, making Aris quite excited. Countless tents were placed at the center field, decorated with distinctive designs. Talagang pinaghandaan ng mga senior namin ang araw na 'to.

"Sigurado ka ba talagang kailangan mo mag-review? Spare a single day for this event, Khay," Aris pleased before smiling at one of the seniors who welcomed us with flyers of their club.

"I'll try." I smiled at him before bidding my goodbye. "Kita na lang tayo mamaya. Don't flirt with the seniors!"

"Copy!" Aris replied with a grin plastered on his lips. Mabuti na ang magpaalala. May iba pa naman sa dugo ni Aris.

I found myself walking towards the faculty room. Ms. Aranda specifically instructed me to meet her early in the morning to give me my tasks for today. Hindi rin kasi niya ako mababantayan sa training dahil kailangan pa niyang magbantay sa club niya ngayon. That somehow made me ease, since it is awkward to write an article with someone staring at me.

"De Luna, good thing you are here." Ms. Aranda welcomed me with a soft smile. Her strict attitude wasn't visible at all. Perks of being a trainee, I guess.

"Same thing like the past days. After you made the article, place it on my table. I'll return it before the day ends," she said before handing me a bunch of papers to reference at. "After you finish the article, enjoy the day while choosing your club."

"Sure, Miss." I plastered a smile on my lips before leaving the faculty room. Nakakailang kasi kapag sa mismong faculty pa ako gumawa ng article. I decided to work on it at the library. Since today is the club requirement day, I bet no one was there.

As expected, it was a deserted place. It was the first time that I saw no one sleeping inside. I immediately went towards the farthest table to start my work. It would be a long day inside after all.

As I saw what was written inside the review sheet, a smile was formed on my lips. It was a news article about the never-ending dispute at the debated territory of the West Philippine Sea. The word "China" reminded me of a certain person, making my heart thump a little.

I still remembered what he wrote on the latest letter he sent me. Parang panaginip pa rin para sa akin na sumulat pa rin siya. The feeling it sent me was ecstatic. It really felt like a dream.

While I'm busy composing my editorial article, words from the letter Vin sent days ago flashed through my mind. Hindi tuloy ako makapagsulat ng ayos dahil siya lang ang tumatakbo sa isip ko. Whenever I saw or wrote the word "China," it triggers something. Nakatatak na yata 'yon sa isip ko.

I shrugged those thoughts away before fixing my eyes on my article. Siguradong hindi ako makatatapos kung iyon ang iniisip ko. I need to make up my mind to finish that thing.

"I think you should take a break first. It is already lunchtime."

A familiar voice interrupted my thoughts. Hindi na ako nagulat nang makita si Ravin na may hawak na isang paper bag. I bet it was a sandwich since that was the only thing that could fit inside that bag.

"Thank you but, no thanks." I smiled at him. "I bet the librarian won't like it if someone brought food inside the library."

After our mini-tour inside the campus, I tried to distance myself from him. It always felt like an awkward air was always surrounding the two of us. I don't know why but, it was always like that.

"I already asked for her permission, and she said okay," he replied. "And, this food came from your friends. So, mind to take a break?"

I just found myself eating the sandwich with him. Sigurado naman ako na hindi ako titigilan ni Ravin. The looks of this man usually don't give up easily. Thinking that he reasoned out that it came from my friends, he really is persistent. My friends won't send me someone, especially that Ravin wasn't close with them. Halos hindi nga sila magkakakilala.

He constantly asks me things about my day yet, I replied with my shortest answers. Hindi ko kasi alam kung paano ba siya pakikitunguhan. It was kind of weird, actually. I just focused on my papers to avoid him, even though he was just seating right in front of me.

"Thank you for this." I smiled at him before fixing my things. "I really need to go. Ms. Aranda was expecting me to pass these papers."

"Do you want some company?" Ravin immediately stood up, offering himself. Chills were sent down my spine because of that. It was really odd.

"No thanks," I said before walking out of the table. My steps were quite fast and big. I really just want to get away from him. Hindi ko na alam. Pakiramdam ko may kung ano sa kanya.

"Akala ko hindi ka na makakalalabas sa library."