Will of Fate

III

                            "Sometimes, people don't need to be in a privileged moment. Just someone who can appreciate them and be proud of what they are. No matter how messy they are."

                                                                             ***

I finished all my remaining exams for the day with his words echoing through my mind. Throughout my whole life, it was my first time to hear from someone who isn't my psychologist that everything I feel is valid.

I wonder if, where did he get those words? Where did he got his audacity to tell me straight about something which I always struggle to hide? How did he throw all my skeletons in my closet straight to my face?

Paano n'ya nagawang mabasa ako at makita ako agad like as if I'm living in a house of glass? Wala ni isa sa mga kaklase ko sa BS Psychology ang nakakita kung paano ako nahihirapan. And I guess that's because I'm too good at pretending. I'm too good at putting a smile on my face that could make me look like I'm living the best life anyone could wish for.

But that Micco, how did he see me through that quick? Although, I have to admit that I hate it. I hate how he sees my vulnerability, but I can't deny the fact that it made me feel free somehow. Sa ganoong pabgyayari lang ay naramdaman kong maging malaya. Malaya sa pagkukunwari na maayos lang ako.

"Still mourning with that 89?" I was immediately transported back from my disturbing thoughts when I heard Jaxen's voice. We're at the canteen and currently eating our lunch.

"Nah, not that really," sagot ko. I can't say I lied with my answer, since, it's true that I feel much better now after that encounter with Micco. Geez, why do I'm even calling him by his name now?

"Mabuti naman. Mababawi mo rin yun," said Jaxen. I just nodded at her and there was a moment of silence for us to eat each of our food.

"By the way, are you busy next week?" I broke the ice with an answer. Hoping that she'll say no.

"Next week? Hindi na. Patapos na naman yung midterm exams. So, 'di ko na need mag-study pa by that time," sagot n'ya habang sumusubo.

"Bakit? May pupuntahan ka ba? Gala? Sama ako," dagdag n'ya. Napailing na lang ako sa kan'ya. Kapag sinabing gala ay s'ya pa ang nauuna minsan.

"Hindi, sa bahay lang. Kailangan ko umuwi. Darating daw sila ate," sagot ko.

"Sino dun? Yung na sa US?" Pag-uusisa n'ya pa.

"Silang tatlo," maikling sagot ko.

"May chocolate ba 'yan? Sige, sama ako," agad n'yang wika kahit pa hindi ko pa s'ya niyayaya.

"Kahit kailan talaga, mukha kang chocolate," biro ko na sinagot n'ya lang nang malokong kindat.

"By the way, bakit ka pala magpapasama sa 'kin kung sa bahay n'yo lang naman pala ang punta mo?" Tanong n'ya.

"Sinabi ko bang samahan mo 'ko?" Pamimilosopo ko sa kan'ya. She just rolled her eyes at me and looked at me after with a mischievous look.

"Duh, as if I don't know you. Hindi ka nagtatanong kung busy ba ako unless magpapasama ka sa 'kin o magpapatulong sa project n'yo," she answered in a dramatic manner.

"Wala lang. I just know na matakaw ka sa chocolate," I answered in a humorous manner. Dahilan para agad n'ya akong panlakihan ng mata na sinabayan pa nang madramang paghawak n'ya sa may puso n'ya.

"Matakaw talaga?"

"Yeah. You always say you're on a diet. Pero hindi ka naman pumapayat dahil panay ang kain mo ng tsokolate," I factly answered.