Fundamentals of Marriage | Suarez I

Chapter 21

R-18

It's a common thing that when you feel like everything is going fine, the time flies like a thin soft shoal in the air.

I can't say I'm in a perfect situation but a couple of months wasn't bad. My parent's annulment was settled, that fast. Money can make things easier in a lot of ways, I have no doubt.

The termination of their relationship is a secret. No one has to know we are now a broken family for it will dirt the image we built for a long time.

My father want to co-parent with my Mom but she refused and told him she can take care of us. She wants all the control. She's more than happy because no one will come her way anymore.

"Hala, ang galing! Congratulations sa atin!"

I can already smell the celebration happening inside the room as I walk through the corridor. A smile arose on my lips from joy and satisfaction. Despite everything our block has gone through, I'm happy we all made it.

"Sabi ko sa 'yo, kasali ka sa President's list, e! Wala kang tiwala sa sarili mo, girl. Trust issue lang ang peg?"

Nagkukumpulan ang lahat sa iisang gilid nang pumasok ako. Lumabas na ang mga grades namin for midterms ngayong second semester. It's our last semester in college. It is harder than I expected it'll be.

The President's listers are also out. Few from our block made it. It's enough achievement in Accountancy if one or two made it to the list, bonus na lang talaga kung marami pa.

"Infairness, ang daming galing sa block 2. Epekto ng pagiging madamot sa bulong. Chos."

"Gaga, baka may makarinig sa 'yo."

"Truth must be spoken, sabi nga nila. Saka, totoo naman. Napakadamot nila magbigay ng source, ang generous kaya natin."

"Huwag na magdrama, nasa atin pa rin ang huling halakhak."

"Bakit mo naman nasabi?"

I am listening to their conversation from my seat. It's both sad and exciting how we'll part our ways in not less than two months. Although I don't have many great memories here, I will still miss the scent of inks and papers that went through a lot of tough times.

"Tayo pa rin nangunguna, e. Si Zha--" Hindi itinuloy ng lalaki ang pagbigkas sa pangalan ko. He bite his own tongue to stop himself from saying it.

Nanahimik sila. They all glanced at me before going back to where they stopped. The conversation and exchanging of congratulations went on, except that they threw my name into the bin. Para bang kasalanan na mabanggit nila ang pangalan ko.

Matagal na rin simula noong nagbago ang paningin nila sa akin. After the defense, no single person approached me. It gave me space, the kind of space I wasn't expecting, a breather that took the air out of my lungs. It gave me a hard time.

Without Samuel, I am invisible.

"Congratulations. Top ka sa acads. Sana sa kaniya rin," he teased. Magkakampi sila ng mga kilay na nanunukso.

"I beg your pardon?" My back unrest from the chair.

"Sana ikaw ang top one na mahal niya. That's what I said." He left a pouch of meringues on my table with a note 'Congratulations'.

I was worried Samuel will be a hindrance to me and Franco. Maybe I'm too confident to think he likes me to the point that it will cause trouble. It appears like he's into teasing more than getting into a serious relationship. I'm starting to like him.

Nothing much happened that day except that I went home early because I have to prepare myself for the exhibition the next day.

Palaging bakante ang pakiramdam ko sa tuwing uuwi na wala si Franco sa unit. The rest are just stuffs that fills the place but not me.