Ears and Rhymes

Chapter 19- 3000

Mitch

I really don't care about the chismis about me that I elope. Damn, sana nga totoo no! What I care about the most are my bank accounts that are on freeze.

Ayaw tanggapin ang card ko sa cafeteria. I check my balance but I still have money— my grandparent's pamana for me.

"Can you move?" mataray na sabi ng kasunod ko.

"Can you make hintay?" mataray din na sagot ko.

"If you don't have money to pay, shoo," she said.

I made tabi for a while debating if I just go but I am hungry na.

"Mitch," someone called me from the long line.

Save by the devil.

"Rai, I need help." I didn't care about the long line. I wave at Raiden and he went to me.

"My card declined," bulong ko sa kanya.

Rai gave me his card and I pay my meal and his which I earned catcalls from behind kasi I made Raiden singit sa line.

"What happened?" Raiden asked when we reached an empty table.

"I think my bank accounts are in freeze." Pinakita ko kay Raiden ang account ko. I have balance pa nga kasi but I can't use my damn card.

"Can I see?"

I gave Raiden my phone and he checks my online account. After a while, he gave me back my phone.

"Yeah, naka-freeze nga."

Naiinis ako. Agad kong tinawagan ang lawyer ni grandpa.

"Mitch, I am expecting your call."

What did the hell happen? I wanted to shout. "What happened?" I asked instead in a calm voice.

"You mean to your accounts?"

"To my own money?" I made I point.

"You are not yet 21 Mitch. Your money is still under guardianship though your dad can't withdraw it."

"Are you serious? I am turning 21 three months—"

"Until you reach your 21st birthday, I can't do anything about your account. Sorry about that."

Inutil.

"Thanks." I can almost taste the bitterness in my voice.

I tried not to cry as Raiden stare at me.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Account freeze," I murmured. "I am basically a penniless. Dapat nagwithdraw na pala ako agad. Mabuti at nagamit ko pa ang card ko sa bed."

"I don't know anything about this shit but we can ask Ken."

Umuwi ako sa apartment namin ni Rose na galit nag alit sa daddy ko. Hindi naman nagtagal ay dumating si Rose.

"Mukhang may nangyari na naman," comment niya.

"My bank accounts are in freeze," I said. Rose just nod and went inside the house.

"Hindi na ako nagtataka," sabi niya. "Huwag ka rin mabibigla. May nakita ako sa admin kanina."

Oo nga pala, dahil sa takot ng Ateneo na mamatay si Rose at isisi sa kanila, ginawa siyang student support sa Admin para 'di na magwork sa Jollibee.

"What?" I asked in confusion.

"Pati tuition mo naka-freeze," nalilitong kwento ni Rose na ikinatayo ko sa sofa.

"What? How can they do that? Bayad na ako ng buong year."

"Binawi ng daddy mo. Hintayin mo, ipapatawag ka. Pero kunwari 'di mo pa alam ha."

"How dare him!" Maiyak-iyak na wika ko.

Naabutan kami ni Ken na gano'n kaya kinuwento ni Raiden sa kanya ang nangyari.

"Sasabihin mo ba kay Brix?" Rose asked.

"I have to. I want to be honest with him. I need to find a way to survive these 3 months."

"We can lend you," Ken proposed which I declined.

"No, I need to talk to Brix first."

"I have an idea lang, Mitch since ang dami mong followers why not try to be an 'influencer' or whatever that means."

Napatingin kaming tatlo nila Ken at Raiden kay Rose.

"I mean, nagpost ka lang ng sinangag kahapon, nagtrending eh. Ako ang magpost no'n kung 'di ako sinabihan ng yuck ng buong Ateneo. Baka maging commercial model ka pa ng bigas," Rose said. She makes sense kahit medyo sarcastic ang pagkakasabi niya.

"I can talk to Ate Margaux about this," I murmured.

I make tili that made Rose retreat to the kitchen.

"Rosie, you are smart talaga. I love you." Niyakap ko si Rose. She gave me a good and profitable idea.

Dumadaan si Brix after school sa apartment. Nasasanay na siguro si Rose na nando'n si Brix. I told him what happened to my card and Rose's idea.

"Sure kang iyan ang gusto mo?" tanong ni Brix.

He is letting me to decide on my own. That's one of the things I like about him. He is not treating me as a child.

"I am actually doing the social media na, I just want to monetarize it. Besides, I need to earn."

"I can pay your tuition fee," he said.

"You know, if I didn't love you now, I will fall in love with you right at this very moment. Thank you, hon, but I will decline for now. I want to try if I can make it first."

"I feel guilty. Dahil sa akin—"

"Please, don't," putol ko sa kanya. "It was my decision, Brix. You didn't force me."

I tried to change the subject and asked him about his day but Brix stayed silent.

"Hon?"

"Mitch, are you really sure about this?"

"Ito lang ang sigurado sa ginawa ko, Brix. 'Yong ipaglaban ka ang sure sa ginawa ko."

"Then let me help you," he said. I smile a little though my heart wanted to break.

"Okay, pautang ako kasi wala akong cash but I will pay."

Doon pa lang ngumiti si Brix. He took his wallet and hand me card.

"No. Just a few cash and I will go from there. Do you know what is the chismis about me? Nag-elope raw tayo. As if true... sana."

Doon na ngumiti ng tuluyan si Brix.

"Keep this card muna until maikasal tayo. Just few cash lang need ko para may pangkain ako. Promise I will pay and I will tipid din. I'll ask Rose for help."

"I love you," serious na wika ni Brix.

"I love too, Brix."

"Here's three thousand. Hanggang saan aabot iyan sa 'yo?"

I really need to ask Rose. "Thank you. Parang sugar baby naman ang feeling ko."

He chuckled and it makes me happy.

"Promise I will pay."

"Kahit hindi na," he replied.

I will pay for this and more. Why can't Daddy see the kind person I can see with Brix?