Coldest War (War Series #2)

Chapter 28

#war2wp

Chapter 28

Student

"I can still remember how Hiel was when we were in elementary!" ani Gema habang nakaupo kami sa cafe ng isang sikat na mall.

Maraming tao sa mall dahil weekend. Pero kahit na weekend, galing ng trabaho si Gema dahil isa siyang part-time professor sa Torrero University. She's wearing a white polo she tucked inside a black pencil cut skirt---an outfit she rarely wears before. Unang kita ko sa kaniya kanina, nanibago ako dahil masyadong pormal ang soot niya. 

She told me she sees Hiel on the campus sometimes and greets him. Iniisip ko tuloy kung ano kaya ang pakiramdam na makita si Hiel bilang isang college student sa Torrero University.

Matalino si Hiel at 'yon din ang dating niya sa ibang tao. Inosente, matalino, tahimik, at hindi palakaibigan. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa inumin at iniisip kung ano kaya ang pakiramdam na maging ka-schoolmate siya?

I wonder if girls stare at him whenever he walks on the grounds and campus hallways. I wonder if girls put letters in his locker---uso pa kaya 'yon? Lumilingon kaya siya sa paligid niya o diretso lang kung tumingin sa paglakad niya?

Does girls in his class ask him about their lessons---pretending to not understand them just so they could talk to him? Do girls pull him to a quiet hallway to confess? If yes, I wonder what he tells them. Hindi ba niya nagugustuhan ang mga babaeng 'yon?

I wonder how he recites in class. Nagre-recite nga ba siya? Paano kaya kapag kasama niya ang mga kaibigan niya sa cafeteria? May mga kaibigan kaya siya sa Torrero University?

Come to think of it. . . Sina Hanani lang ang kaibigan niya at mukhang hindi na 'yon nadagdagan. Bakit kaya? Ayaw niya ba talagang gumawa ulit ng panibagong mga kaibigan?

I guess that's fine. . . of course, if that's what he prefers. Pero paano kaya kung gusto niya naman talagang makipagkaibigan pero hindi lang nagkakaro'n? 

I wonder how he reacts when he has a crush on someone. . . Nahihiya ba siya lalo? Namumula? Hindi makatingin?

"He's all grown up now," Gema says and pulls me back to reality. She looks dreamy as she speaks about him---maybe because she finds Hiel adorable. Adorable nga ba? I feel like that word can't be used to describe Hiel now because Hiel's a lot mature now. "People are talking about you nowadays. Why would they pair you up with Jadon, anyway? And now, even to Hiel," nagtatakang tanong ni Gema at pinulot niya ang sariling inumin, napapaisip pa rin.

I shift on my seat uncomfortably. Ngumiti ako, hindi alam ang isasagot kaya nagtanong na lang ako kung sino pa ang dadating na kasama namin para sa araw na 'yon.

"Martin Liao is coming," sagot ni Gema. 

Martin Liao is now a financial manager of one of the companies under Liao Group of Companies. People say that Martin is training to be CEO of one of their chains of businesses. Talagang sa lahat sa aming magkakaibigan, si Martin Liao pa ang libre para sa araw na 'to. It's not that I don't want to see him. It just surprised me that even in his busy schedule, he can still meet up with me and Gema. 

Hindi nga nagtagal, dumating si Martin Liao, in his fresh suit, tie, and brown leather shoes. His hair is styled in a more formal way and he has a welcoming smile for me. Nang lumapit siya sa 'kin para sa isang beso, naamoy ko kaagad ang bango ng pabangong gamit niya. He sits across me.

"Long time no see, Rinnah." He smiles and I am sure girls sigh when they see that.

It's good to see them again. Although I feel like Martin has changed a lot, I still admit that we had a great time. Martin, despite the change in the way he speaks, moves, and looks at people, still is very friendly and welcoming. I don't feel intimidated despite the status he has now. Isang anak ng bilyonaryo at ang susunod na CEO ng kumpanya. Martin is even added to the most sought-after bachelors today.