Us Against the World (Louisiana Series #5)

Kabanata 20

20 – Fear

Days with Zachary continued in Manila. Matapos ang Christmas vacation ay kinailangan naming bumalik ng unibersidad. We are all third year students now and they have one more year to go. I still have two years. Maiiwan ako rito sa campus matapos ang graduation nila. 

We didn't go back to Louisiana during the summer break that year. All of us had to take classes during midyear because it was required. Rihann was trying to catch up with all the courses she didn't take before to graduate on time, and Nathan was just fine in his program. I know Zachary was busy, but whenever he's with me he doesn't show it. Kung minsan ay nakokonsensya ako tuwing magkasama kami. Lalo na nang tumuntong sila sa kanilang graduating year. It's going to be their last year here. We are all fourth years but my degree program requires five years to be taken. 

"I'm sorry I'm late!" 

"No problem." 

Pinagpag ko ang skirt na suot habang tumatakbo palabas ng building upang salubungin si Zachary sa tapat. Humihingal ako dahil sa pagmamadali saka hinawi nang maayos ang buhok ko sa pagharap sa kaniya. The sun is setting down. Hinawakan ko ang braso niya bago niya inilipat ang kamay ko sa kaniyang kamay. 

"Are you sure you're not busy? You didn't have to wait for me." I said. 

"I'm not busy for you. I can make time." 

I smiled as he gently pulled me to start walking. He asked me yesterday if we could take a walk after our classes. Pumayag naman ako ngunit kanina ay masyado akong maraming ginawa. I told him it would be okay if he leaves but he didn't. He said he's going to wait outside until I'm done. I felt guilty because I know he has a lot of things to do. 

"Graduating students are always busy. Si Rihann nga, ang daming ginagawa." 

"What am I supposed to do? Ignore you all day just because I'm busy?" he chuckled. "I can make time. I want to make time." 

I pressed my lips together and glanced at him. Nagpatuloy kami sa kalmadong paglalakad sa sidewalk habang ang araw ay palubog na. I can't believe they're leaving Diliman already. Bumuntong-hininga ako at hinawakan ang braso niya gamit ang kabila kong kamay. 

"Naiinggit ako. Why do I have to take Music in five years? Maiiwan akong mag-isa sa campus." 

He teasingly looked at me. "Baka naman ipagpalit mo na ako kapag wala na ako rito?" 

"Hey, that's not going to happen." 

Mahina akong tumawa nang manliit ang mga mata niya sa akin. I nodded to make sure of it. Nang tumagal ang titig niya sa mga mata ko ay pabiro kong itinulak ang kaniyang balikat. Wala rin iyong nagawa dahil nilingon niya akong muli. 

"Are you sure? Paano kung mas guwapo?" 

Umiling ako. "Hindi pa rin." 

"What if he's smart? And rich?" 

"I'm smart and rich. I don't care." 

I shrugged and proudly stared at him. Umiling-iling lang siya na para bang hindi pa rin naniniwala sa akin. Hindi ko mapigilan ang tawa ko nang bahagya siyang ngumuso bago ako muling nilingon. 

"What if he's good at playing the piano? Better than you?" 

Umawang ang labi ko. "Really?" 

"Julianna! Are you serious?" 

I laughed and shook my head. Hindi ko iyon sinagot upang asarin siya pabalik. He groaned and rolled his eyes. Nagpatuloy kami sa paglalakad habang ang mga puno sa paligid namin ay matatag pa ring nakatindig kahit na hinihipan ng hangin.