"You have the entire afternoon to do your own stuff. Kita na lang tayo bukas."
Our homeroom teacher beamed as she walked out of the classroom. Nang tuluyan na siyang makaalis, umingay ang classroom namin. Kanya-kanyang kuha ng pen. One of our school's traditions is to let our classmates or friends scribble on our uniforms as a kind of keepsake before we depart.
"Ely! May isusulat ako sa uniform mo!" sigaw ni Sheena habang tumatakbo palapit sa akin.
She was grinning as she scrawled something on my uniform. Even though I already have an idea what she was writing, my brow wrinkled in concern. Kalokohan na naman siguro.
Nang matapos siya, hindi na ako nagkaroon ng oras para mabasa iyon dahil sunod-sunod na ang mga classmates ko na sulatan ang suot kong uniform. Trip, who was seated next to me, was also swarmed. Hindi lang ng mga babae pati na rin mga lalaki. It just goes to emphasize how friendly he has been this school year.
Kumabog ng malakas ang puso ko nang aksidenteng bumaling ang tingin niya sa akin. I was excessive in my dramatic behavior that night at our prom. Maybe he's confused right now, but I lack the boldness to express my feelings to him.
Tipid siyang ngumiti bago umiwas nang tingin at itinuon iyon sa mga kausap niya.
"Guys! Let's speak about what we want to do after this school year. Syempre may Senior High naman dito pero malay natin lumipat 'yong iba, 'di ba?"
Agad na sumang-ayon ang iba sa suggestion ni Gia na nasa harapan ngayon. She was the one who first notified us of her plans. Her family decided on this school for her to continue her studies. Sumunod naman ang iba pagkatapos magsalita ni Gia. Karamihan sa kanila ay dito lang magpapatuloy sa pag-aaral.
"Dito lang ako kasi ayaw kong mamiss kayong lahat!" Sheena exclaimed.
Aside from Trip, she was the only piece of good news in our classroom. In the middle of our downturn, these two always provided us with enthusiasm.
Nang tumayo si Trip, napatingin ang lahat sa kanya. Siguro katulad ko, kuryoso din silang lahat kung dito din ba magpapatuloy ng pag-aaral si Trip.
"Hello!" he greeted us with a wide smile. "I intend to continue my studies here. We might be able to see each other again in two years." Natawa siya nang naghiyawan ang mga classmates namin.
"Ely, ikaw na lang ang hindi nagsasalita sa harap!" puna ng isa sa mga kaklase ko.
When all eyes were on me, I felt incredibly embarrassed. Kahit si Trip na nasa tabi ko ay mariin din ang titig sa akin. I didn't have a choice but to stand up and confront them all.
"Those four years with you were truly unforgettable, and I look forward to making more memories with you all in the near future," sabi ko na nagpatahimik sa kanilang lahat.
My attention was directed at Trip. He looked surprised, as if he realized what I was going to say next.
"Sa Los Angeles ako magpapatuloy ng pag-aaral, however, we can still communicate via social media," I added.
Kahit ilang buwan na itong plano na 'to, ngayon ko lang nasabi sa kanila. I was expecting them to be unconcerned about me, but seeing their sorrowful expression right now, I realized they consider me more than simply a classmate.
Dinumog nila ako nang makaupo ako ulit. They invited me to join them after class for a dinner party. Napatingin ang lahat kay Trip nang bigla siyang tumayo at umalis nang walang sinasabi.
"Sundan mo," bulong ni Sheena sa akin.
My brows furrowed. "Why would I?"
"Basta! Sige na!"
VOUS LISEZ
Artistry of Love (Abstract Series #3)
Roman d'amourShe had never trusted in love because everything she had ever known was sorrow and abandonment, so when love showed itself in the figure of someone, she refused to embrace it. However, would she be able to reject that devotion if it was tenacious an...
