Strawberries And Cigarettes

Kabanata 1

Kabanata 1

"Thank you Harper for saving me from embarrassing myself earlier." I said before awkwardly laughing. Kakatapos lang ng klase namin wala namang ginawa kung hindi introduction at orientation. So the moment we were dismissed hinila na ako ni Harper papunta sa pinakamalapit na cafeteria sa BSA building. Harper stopped sipping her caramel macchiato when she heard me.

"Sorry about that. They could get a little rowdy but they're not that bad and please! You embarrassing yourself? Kahit masubsob ka yata dyan ay maganda ka pa din." Ani Harper na kinatawa ko. I know she's joking. Hindi naman ako maganda. Muli ko siyang tinignan at nagsalita.

"Yung kay Connor? Is he your cousin?" I asked innocently. Kaya nagulat ako nang tumaas ang tingin niya sa akin bago naningkit ang mata at padabog na binaba ang hawak na kape sa lamesa.

"Remy, no! Please don't tell me you like him! Hindi ako papayag! I won't let you fall victim to that brute!" She said with her face frowning. Bahagyang nalaglag ang panga ko.

"Oh no, no. Curious lang ako. Please don't misunderstand." mabilis kong paliwanag. Lumuwag naman ang mukha niya at nagpakawala ng hininga.

"Yeah, he's my cousin. Parehong nasa chicago ang parents namin. And please don't believe na may dinadala akong lalaki sa condo ko! Eww?" Aniya at nalukot ang mukha.

"Connor and I have been studying at Ateneo since senior high school. And even if he's 2 levels above me, we've made the same circle of friends. So don't worry about making friends anymore. I have a few for you, already pre-made." Dagdag niya at ngumiti. I smiled and looked down at my strawberry milkshake. Thank you, Harper but I don't think I can handle more friends—especially them.

"You'll just have to get used to meeting different girls all the damn time. Ray, the chinito one? He's the only decent one. Connor is bad, same with James and Yossef and gods, I don't even know where to start with Ross." Aniya na tila ba problemado. I straightened my back when I felt a light shiver.

"Ross?" Tanong ko. Nailang ako nang tumutok ang mata sa akin ni Harper.

"Yeah, Ross, Roscoe Barron Alvarado. He doesn't like using his given name, so we settled for Ross. That man is rough. Literally. But then again he will not be an Alvarado if he's not." Dagdag niya. My eyebrows furrowed in curiosity.

She almost sounds like she's speaking in riddles but before I could ask for clarification, my phone rang. Mabilis akong nagpaalam kay Harper at pumunta sa medyo hindi mataong parte ng cafeteria.

"Mommy, what happened? May problema po ba?" Aniko. Tumingin ako sa relos na suot ko. It's only 3 in the afternoon.

"Berry? How are you, anak? Okay lang ba ang environment sa Ateneo? Are the classrooms nice? E yung mga prof? How about the students? May umaway ba sayo?" Sunod-sunod na bungad sa akin ni Mommy. Bumuntong-hininga ako.

"Mommy, maganda po ang Ateneo and the professors are nice. And wala pong umaway sa akin, in fact, I made a friend!" Masaya kong kwento. I looked back in the direction of Harper. She waved her hands when she saw me. I smiled and waved back.

"That's good, anak. I'm sorry if Mommy's annoying you. I'm just worried. Ngayon ka na lang ulit nalayo sa akin. I'm not there to protect you from harsh and cruel people." She said sadly. Nahabag ang damdamin ko. I know that Mommy's protectiveness is rooted in my safety.

"Mommy, I understand. But I'm truly okay. Ang saya-saya ko mommy! I met a nice girl. I was able to get to know many people and naka-order na ako mag-isa, Mommy! I know it's been hard but we're strong, right? All three of us." Ani ko. Saglit na nanahimik ang kabilang linya kaya bahagya akong nag-alala.