Helveryst Series #2 : The Cassanova and The Hater

Chapter 18 - Hotseat

I was forced to get up when she's the one who pulled me. Wala nga akong lakas dahil nasa tatlo o apat na kutsara lang ang kinakain ko sa isang araw. She let me face her and fixed the tip of my hair.

"Did you visit Lolo in his house? Is he okay? Hinanap niya ba ako? I promised to visit him but I was the one who broke it. Hindi ko alam na pati pala ako ay hindi na marunong tumupad sa mga pangako." Napangiti ako ng mapait dahil sa mga ala-alang pumapasok sa isipan ko.

"Hmm, kinausap ko na siya. I told him what happened to you that's why you can't come and he understands your situation. Binigay ko rin sa kanya ang vitamins na ipinabili mo. Look, it's already your third day. I give you space but now it's over. Go and visit him by yourself. Hindi pwedeng magmumukmok ka lang dito sa kwarto mo dahil lang sa mga walang kwentang taong sinasabi mo."

I looked at her with surprised on my eyes."Really? Since when did my cousin learn how to say those words straight in front of me? You're brave now, huh?"

"Of course, I am. It's because you taught me how to be one. And seems like my teacher is breaking her words again. That she wouldn't act weak like before. Like she won't lock herself in her room just because of the same persons. Nasaan na 'yong Zeriel na maldita at walang laban na inuurungan. Nasaan na 'yong model na hindi nagpapatalo kahit kanino. At higit sa lahat, ang pinsan ko na palaging nagtataray at hindi marunong umiyak."

I can't imagine here saying this things to me but she has a point. I shouldn't have done this just for them. They're just nothing for me. Hindi ko akalaing nagsayang ako ng luha, oras, at panahon dahil lang sa walang kwentang kagaya nila.

"You're ways to boost my confidence are still effective, Alina. Thank you, by the way. Just wait for me in the kitchen and kindly prepare a toasted bread for me. I'll just fix myself, I won't take too long."

"Gosh! Mabuti naman kung gano'n. Sure thing, my cousin."

I insisted to drive myself on the way to the University. Nasa labas pa naman ng condominium ko ang kotse ko at meron naman siyang sa kanya. We bid goodbye to each other when we arrived in the University and parted our ways. I just have 10 minutes before the class will start so I had to run a little. I know in myself that I hate running just to chase but it's a different thing. Grades ko ang pinag-uusapan dito at ayoko ring masayang ang pinaghirapan ko.

"Sorry if I'm absent for two consecutive days," I said as I entered the room.

Ang ilan sa kanila ay napaigtad dahil sa biglaang pagpasok ko nang walang sere-seremonya. And about my teacher, well, she didn't move because of shock.

Ano siya, na-stroke?

At dahil walang nagsalita sa kanila o kahit gumalaw man lang, dumeretso na lang ako sa upuan ko at nilabas ang notebook at ballpen ko. They look so pathetic, literally.

"G-Good morning, Zeriel. I didn't expect you to say sorry but it's accepted. Go to my office after class dismissal and I'll give you the lessons that you missed," she answered and cleared her throat.

Hindi na ako nagsalita pagkatapos at nakinig na lang sa nile-lecture niya. I don't raise my hands to participate in class but I did it not just once or twice but more than thrice and so with the next subject.

Alam kong maraming naninibago sa kilos ko dahil maski ako ay hindi alam kung anong ginagawa ko. Let's just say that I'm doing this to be able to regain my scores for the two days of being absent. I even felt relieved after all.

"Wanna have a lunch with me? Busy ang boyfriend ko kaya pwedeng sa'yo na lang sumama?"

I stopped walking for a bit and faced her."You have a lot of friends, right? Why don't you come with them and still pestering me around? Pareho talaga kayo ng Cassanova na 'yon."