Thorns After Everything (Completed)

Chapter 18

"Z, thanks." Sabi ko.

He smiled.

"About the picture I took— Maro was handing no drugs in there. It happened at the wrong time. He was handing—"

"It's a cigar." Maro interrupted.

"You should stop smoking when you're still young, Maro."

Maro went inside while showing a sign of peace.

Z and I are left all alone.

"Bye," I told Z.

"We're fine, right? Like fine as in fine." He said.

"Yeah."

"Good. Can I ask for your number?"

Napatawa ako.

"I don't own a phone." Sabi ko.

"Well, that's not really the problem. I like that— I mean— I should be going." Sabi niya.

"You're walking home?" I asked.

He let out a small laugh.

"No, my car was just at school. I should be going."

We rode jeepney on our way home.

Yeah, you should.

"Bye," I said.

"Bye." He replied.

"Bye," I said.

He flashed a smile again.

"Bye." He said and left.

The next morning was different. Maro walked with me going to school. We had our breakfast outside too. Nagakasundo kami last night to avoid being a pabigat to our Aunt.

Our parents didn't come home since then.

Maro and I were finally able to have a heads up with each other. But we still don't have any idea where Ate is living.

Right. Ate didn't say anything. She said she'll meet me but she didn't. I figured I should let everybody go on with their lives.

And I should live my life. As I want to.

It doesn't matter when I canceled my goal to become an SSC President. It doesn't matter when I came out second. It doesn't matter when Maro had a record. It doesn't matter anymore.

Days turned into weeks. Weeks into Month. Months into Years. Now I am watching Zadist walking towards me after he stopped at the parking lot with his car.

I smiled at him.

"How's my Maris?"

"Good."

"Still funny to me how we are able to go on with our lives without Social Media Communication nor text and call." Sabi niya.

"So?"

"Just acknowledging the fact how you are so different." Sabi niya.

"Go on with your class. I am busy with my thesis." Sabi ko.

Yes, we're 4th year now.

And Z and I have been going smooth through this month. I mean, Paolla also hang out with me again. Glad she came back for me. I thought mawawalan na talaga ako ng kaibigan. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pakiramdam ko ay palagi akong mawawalan ng kaibigan.

But Paolla helped me what to do.

Since Zadist Cruspero would be my very first ever Boyfriend. Funny how I got a boyfriend in my College Years. But Zadist was proud of me for that.

He thinks that I am so innocent.

Am I?

All I know is that— Z and I are together for almost 2 years now.

It was a hell of a courtship he made back then. He casually asked me every night.

"Can I be your boyfriend?" Instead of "Will you be my girlfriend?"

Well, Paolla was actually shocked at first. Kasi Zadist was famous plus a top 1 student.

Basically, running for Highest GPA.

Paolla was consistently top 1 since First Year. And I am always at Top 2. I realize na hindi naman masyadong importante ang rank. Nagdedepende nalang talaga yan sa pride ng isang tao or sa intelligence.

I admit I was disappointed with myself the other year. Pero maraming tao ang nangangarap mag Top 5. And here I am— rank 2nd. It's never an embarrassment na magiging pangalawa.

Zadist and I paved our way towards our designated Building. He, an IT student, and me, an Education Student. Ranking on Boards. Paolla as my best friend and a go-to type of a friend. And Maro being protective of me— like insisting to walk me papunta sa building ko. Sometimes it happened na nag-alternate ng bantay silang dalawa ni Z. Which made them become closer even more.

Ang saya na nang buhay ko.

Sana hindi na magugulo pa.