Shades of Kagan

Chapter 32

"That work?" I asked. He looked at me and smirked.

"It always works for me." He said as his smirk grew darker.

"Kapag tinatamad akong pumasok ay ganon ang ginagawa ko. I will give them my medical certificate and then I'm excused to attend the class."

"Buti at tinotolerate ka ng pinsan mo." Natatawang sambit ko dahil hindi man lang pumasok sa isip ko na tatamarin si Klaude na pumasok.

"That's why Reus is the best." He laughs. When Kagan groans a little, that's when Klaude and I become silent. Baka naiingayin ito sa aming dalawa.

"Anyway Avi, why are you still here?" Turo niya sa akin habang komportable akong nakaupo sa aking pwesto. I don't want to stand up.

"Bakit? May dapat ba akong puntahan?" Naituro ko na rin ang sarili ko habang nagtataka.

"Nakasalubong ko si Nadia habang palabas ako ng campus. She was saying that the three of you will hangout. You, her, and Pru. Sabi niya sa akin ay bibili kayo ng mga kakailanganin niyo para sa trip natin bukas." Bigla akong napatayo sa jubilee chair at kinuha ang aking bag.

"Shit! I forgot. Oo nga pala, noong umalis ako kaninang umaga ay pinaalalahan ako ni Nadia na magkikita kami sa mall. Nawala lang sa isip ko." When I fished my phone in my bag, there's already three missed call coming from Nadia. I always put my phone in a silent mode. Kaya hindi ko naririnig kung tumatawag man sa akin si Nadia.

"Klaude, will you stay here? Babantayan mo naman si Kagan, di'ba?" Klaude looked at me amused. Kahit ako ay nabigla rin sa sinabi ko.

"Oo naman. Kaya nga ako nandito. Why? Are you worried that I will leave Kagan all alone here?" May halong biro ang boses nito. Agad kong iniwas ang tingin kay Klaude para hindi niya makita ang umiinit kong pisngi.

"Whatever. I'll go now, Klaude. Thanks for reminding me about it. See you tomorrow." I waved my hands at him and exited the room. The plan for tomorrow is that we will be using a SUV that can accommodate the six of us. Sa campus na lang kami magkikitakita. I don't know if going there is a good decision. Buti at nakapagsabi rin ako kay Auntie Helen at halmeoni na hindi ako makakapunta sa hospital ng dalawang araw dahil nga sa trip na ito. Aunti Helen was glad that I was spending my time with this activities and socializing with other kids. Sinabi niya rin sa akin na magingat ako sa pupuntahan namin at tinanong niya ako kung nagpaalam na raw ba ako sa aking nanay. Of course I said yes, even though I didn't even talked about it to my mother. Bihira lang kami magusap na dalawa sa telepono. At kung magusap man kami ay sobrang saglit lang. But it's okay, it's not like I miss her. She will be the least person I want to see.

I checked the time on my wristwatch when I started to look for Nadia and Pru in the mall. They already texted me that they are here and I'll meet them on the ground floor. Mabilis akong pumunta sa ground floor at nakita ko kaagad si Nadia na nakasandal sa may railings. She stands out in the crowd because she's really pretty.

Katabi naman niya si Pru na kumakain ng yogurt ice cream. Nang magtama ang tingin namin ni Pru ay kumaway ito sa akin. I waved my hand back and jogged to where they are standing.

"I'm sorry. May nangyari lang sa hospital kaya nalate ako ng dating." I said, catching my breath. Hindi ako madalas mahuli sa tuwing may pupuntahan akong ganito.

"It's okay, Avi. Hindi naman kami naghintay ng ganong katagal." Sabi ni Nadia at humak siya sa aking braso. She leads the way while still clutching on my arms. I don't mind. When Pru finally finished the ice cream yogurt, she threw the cup on the garbage can. Patakabo itong pumunta sa pwesto namin ni Nadia at sumabay sa amin paglalakad.

"I want to buy swimwears," Pru said, excitement visible in her voice.

"Akala ko ba pumunta tayo dito para bumili ng mga kakailanganin natin bukas?" Nagtataka kong tanong habang hinihila nila akong dalawa na pumasok sa isang clothing boutique.