Aizelle's POV
Prejudice is something hard to get rid of and it turn out to be a bad habit these days especially for those who believe that first impression is very important. For me, right from the get-go, Lucho doesn't have that good mental image. And now, since I'm with him, I know that karma already hit me. He wasn't what I was expecting. He was surprisingly different in a good way.
"Siguro, kaya nga ganon ako." He said, holding his beer can. Lucho has this special talent. Hindi siya nalalasing. Nakakarami na rin siya. "Tanggap ko naman. I'm still thankful na nag-aaral ako, I have my own car, there are job opportunities already waiting for me pagka-graduate ko. Mga ninong ko PECE na, may connections. Pag kaya ko na mabuhay magisa, hahayaan na rin nila siguro ako." He shrugged, sounding bitter. "Ganon talaga pag ampon lang." Natatawa-tawa niyang sabi. Nasaktan ako para sa kanya. May pagkamadaldal at makwento pala siya.
"Don't say that. Malay mo naman, hindi lang nila pinapahalata. Mahal ka nila. Kasi kung hindi, hindi ka nila.." I stopped because I couldn't say the word. I was worried kung ano ang maramdaman niya. Ampon? Adopted? Kahit anong language pa, it will still be the same. Masasaktan siya lalo at galing ito sa ibang tao."Make them proud instead, huwag mo gawing kawawa ang sarili mo." I finally came up with something sensible.
"Dapat tungkol sa'yo ang kwentuhan natin ah. Hindi sa akin." Uminom siya ulit at umayos ng upo. I never thought he would bring me here. It was his favorite place according to him-perfect spot to wind down, and it has a very nice view. It was just a one-hour drive from the City. Kitang kita ang lawak ng siyudad mula dito.
May nadaanan kaming convenience store kanina at doon na lang bumili ng beer. I just need a breather and I don't want to be a mess just like the last time. Wala naman talaga ako balak uminom. I just want to go somewhere where I can think properly. The world feels suffocating and small. Sa condo ni Drei, iiyak lang ako ng iiyak sa pag-iisip sa kanya. Sa bahay naman, andun si Bobby. If I stay at school, may problema rin. I feel helpless earlier, I need a breather and there's Lucho. It was a perfect timing and I feel grateful for that.
Nasa labas kami ng kotse niya, naka-park ito sa ilalim ng isang malaking puno na nagsisilbing lilim namin. Nakaupo lang kami sa harapan ng sasakyan at nagkukwentuhan.
"Huwag mo munang babanggitin sa iba." I started, sipping from my coffee. He focused his eyes on me, with brows almost touching each other.
"Mukhang seryoso ah." He said.
"I think this is going to be my first and last semester sa St Wesley." I finally blurted. My nostrils are in pain suddenly, then my throat, I just find it difficult to swallow. "Hindi ko nareach yung required average nila for this semester." I sighed.
Natulala si Lucho. He was staring in blank dismay but listening. Sinabi ko sa kanya ang lahat-lahat, pati ang tungkol kay Drei. Just like Drei, he never interrupted me. Tahimik siyang nakatingin sa kawalan habang ako ay nagpupunas ng mga luha.
"It's been a week at mababaliw na ako kakaisip. Nahihirapan na ang loob ko. Ang nakakainis, mas pinoproblema ko pa ang tungkol sa amin kaysa ang malaking problema ko sa school." I chuckled, I thought it would make me calm. "Maglilipat na ako, maybe tomorrow. May nahanap na rin naman akong tirahan malapit sa café." I continued.
There was a tension between us. A tension I couldn't explain.
"Have you tried asking Sandy?" He asked out of nowhere. May parte sa akin na medyo nainis dahil isiningit niya si Sandy sa usapan.
"I don't understand. Bakit si Sandy? Ano ang alam mo sa kanilang dalawa at natanong mo yan?" My eyes desperately searched for his, he looked away with this palpable guilt showing on his face.
