Campus Royalties (Kingdom University, #1) | Published under Psicom Publishing

Chapter 24

"Steff, papunta na kami," Jess said from the other end of the call. "Ready na ba kayo ni Venice?"

"Yup. Nagsusuot na lang si Ven ng sapatos."

"Okay, see you!"

"See you."

Pagkababa ko ng tawag ay muli kong chineck ang gamit namin. Mukhang wala naman kaming nakalimutan kaya inilagay na namin ang bags malapit sa pinto.

Nang makauwi sila galing sa kani-kanilang mga bakasyon ay tinawagan ko sila para itanong kung okay lang bang magkaroon din kami ng short getaway kahit outside Manila lang. They said they were available for this week, and Jess volunteered to provide the place. She said they had a resthouse in Tagaytay, so we decided to stay there for there days and two nights.

"Gusto raw sumama ni Ven. Okay lang?" tanong ko nang malaman ni Ven na aalis kami. Mukhang hindi rin siya makakagala dahil nag-out of the country trip sina Ziela after Patrick's birthday party.

"Sure!" mabilis na sagot ni Jess. "Mukhang sasama rin ang kapatid ko."

"Si Roj?" asked Alice. "First time namin siya makikita."

"Won't he feel awkward?" This time, si Yna naman ang nagtanong.

"Baka ikaw pa ang ma-awkward sa kanya, Yna," pagbibiro ni Alice.

"Siguro, pero nandoon naman si Venice," sagot ni Jess. "They're classmates, so at least may makakausap naman siya."

Nang malaman ni Ven na kasama si Roj ay nag-iba ang expression niya. Huh. This was new. Gusto ko sanang magtanong pero mukhang alam niyang balak ko siyang i-hotseat kaya umiiwas siya sa akin for the next few days. Habang naghihintay kay Jess ay umupo ako sa tabi niya.

"So, what's between you and Roj?"

She was flustered by my question and that honestly surprised me. "N-nothing!" she exclaimed. "Nataasan niya kasi ako sa isang exam na akala ko ay mata-top ko kaya hindi ko alam kung ma-a-awkward-an ba ako sa kanya."

I couldn't help but laugh. Akala ko naman kung ano. Sabagay, hindi lang halata pero grade-conscious ang batang 'to at sanay siyang maging topnotcher sa exams.

Around 4:30 a.m. ay dumating na ang sasakyan nina Jess kaya agad din kaming lumabas. Akala ko nga ay SUV lang ang dala nila since anim lang naman kami plus the driver pero parang pang-ten seater van ang bumungad sa amin. Roj was in the passenger seat of while Jess and Alice were sitting right next to each other. Meanwhile, Yna was asleep on the single seat. Mukhang puyat na naman siya. Madalas kasi ay umaga na siya natutulog kapag bakasyon. Fortunately, the seats were modified for better sleeping experience so she was able to rest soundly.

Pumuwesto si Ven sa solo seat katabi ng pintuan kaya sa likod na lang ako nina Alice umupo. Mukhang inaantok din ang dalawa dahil tahimik sila.

"Jess," tawag ko.

"Hmm?"

"Bakit pala ang laki ng sasakyang gamit natin?"

"Ah, may mga kasama pa tayo," sagot niya.

"Ha? Sino?"

She chuckled lightly. "You'll know in a while."

Dahil medyo inaantok na rin ako ay sinubukan kong umidlip. I wasn't sure how many minutes had passed, but I almost fell out of my chair when I Darryl's face came into view the moment I opened my eyes. Papasok siya sa sasakyan at nang magtama ang mga mata namin ay binigyan niya ako ng isang mabilis na ngiti.

I thought I was just dreaming or hallucinating, but when Jess called his name, I realized he was really here.

"Good morning," he groggily said while suppressing a yawn.