EPIPHANY

Audere Est Facere

To dare is to do.

HANNAH

Carrack was already waiting on the parking lot of the campus when I stepped out of my last class for today. It's not the first time he's picking me up from school. Nakakalabas-masok s'ya rito sa campus dahil binigyan s'ya ng pass ni Icen. I don't know if Icen knows what's between the two of us, but I want to entrust everything to Carrack. 

We're not in any sort of relationship so there's nothing to tell. 

Selene already graduated last semester and is now working on a software company. Madalang ko na s'yang nakakasama dahil nag-a-adjust pa s'ya sa trabaho n'ya at kung may pagkakataon naman na magiging libre s'ya ay inilalaan n'ya iyon para kay Kuya Frigate. Which is understandable since they're doing a long distance relationship. 

Kuya was accepted in a fellowship program in New Jersey. I kind of feel sad for the both of them since they just got back together. Pero pinapakita naman nilang dalawa na kaya nila at masaya pa rin sila. They're juggling their careers and relationship awesomely. 

Without Selene around me, Carrack is always picking me up whenever he got the chance. Lalo pa kung ganito na alas otso ng gabi ang uwi ko. 

Palapit na ako sa sasakyan n'ya nang bumaba si Carrack mula sa driver's side para pagbuksan ako ng pinto ng passenger's seat. He's wearing his charming smile on his face. 

"Good evening, my lady," he greeted with a lopsided smile. 

I giggled. "Good evening." Pumasok na ako sa loob ng sasakyan n'ya at agad naman isinara ni Carrack ang pinto sa gilid ko at umikot para sa driver's seat. 

"Have you had your dinner?" Carrack asked while we're fixing our seatbelts. 

I shook my head. "I only had salad before my last class."

Madalas kasi na tuwing Thursday at alas otso ang uwi ko, sinusundo ako ni Carrack at sabay kaming kumakain ng dinner. Kung hindi ako masusundo ni Carrack o nauna na s'yang maghapunan, sa bahay na lang ako kakain. 

"Good. We can have dinner together," Carrack smiled at me. Inabot n'ya pa ang mukha ko para magaang na pisilin ang pisngi ko. 

Natatawang tinampal ko ang kamay n'ya. "Ang oily na ng mukha ko," nahihiyang sabi ko. Hindi na kasi ako dumaan ng powder room pagkalabas ng classroom dahil nag-text na si Carrack na nandito na s'ya. Bukod sa ayoko s'yang mas paghintayin pa, excited din ako na makita s'ya. 

"Are you fine with Ramen?" He asked while maneuvering his car out of the parking space. 

"It's fine," I replied. Kumuha ako ng wet wipes sa bag ko para punasan ang mukha ko. "Wala nga pala akong pasok bukas. May event kasi para sa mga freshmen kaya nag-send lang ng gagawing activity sa portal namin," kuwento ko kay Carrack. 

"I can skip work tomorrow. Gusto mong mamasyal?" 

I pouted. "H'wag na. 'Di ba nasa turnover stages pa kayo?" 

Carrack chuckled. "Yeah. Baka lang naman gusto mo."

"Don't sacrifice for me. Naiintindihan ko naman ang mga kailangan mong gawin. It's for your career."

"Hmm..." Carrack bit his lower lip. 

"What?" natatawang tanong ko.

He shook his head. May masuyong ngiti sa kanyang labi at mabilis na sumulyap pa s'ya sa akin. 

Dang! He's so cute. 

"Since you have no classes tomorrow, can you be home late for tonight?"