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Matapos kong ipasa ang answer sheet ko sa proctor namin ay agad rin akong lumabas, dala dala ang bag ko. The exam was really mind wrecking but at least all of my efforts were worth it. I took my phone out from my pocket and immediately checked the unread messages that were in my inbox. 

From: Mika Reyes

If you're done with your exam, nandito lang kami sa 7Eleven. Nagutom daw si Kimmy. 

I composed my reply to her message.

To: Mika Reyes

All right. Our exam is already done. I'm already on my way. 


I read the other text messages of my classmates, most of them were asking me about what topics to study for our upcoming long exam in Marketing Management. Isa isa ko silang nireplyan. But as I scrolled down, I noticed that Jeron hasn't texted me yet. He usually texts me around this time. Well, he's probably busy doing his acads. So, texted him that I'm going to have lunch with my teammates. 

When I was already near the said convenience store, I instantly saw Mika's figure. Aba, sa tangkad ba naman niya eh siya talaga ang una mong makikita. Nakatayo rin kasi siya, duh, Anyways, pumasok na ako and agad akong nakita ni Kimmy. 

"Kamusta naman ang exam?" Tanong niya habang nginunguya ang pagkain na kinakain niya. 

"Kadiri ka talaga, Kimmy. Ubusin mo muna yang kinakain mo bago ka magsalita. Ew." Pambabara ko naman sa kanya.

Tinapos niya munang kainin yung pagkain niya bago siya ulit nagsalita. "Aba, minsan na nga lang ako magtanong ng ganun, babarahin mo pa ako. Mahusay ka rin, noh?" Binigyan pa niya ako ng isang deadly stare na dahilan para matawa ako. 

Inilagay ko ang bag ko sa tabing upuan ko at kinuha ang wallet ko. "Whatever. But to tell you, the exam was so draining. I need to eat something. Parang lahat ng energy ko naubos sa test na yun."

Lumapit naman si Mika dala dala ang isang malaking cup ng Gatorade Blue Bolt at isang siopao. Hindi ba 'to nagsasawa sa lasa ng Gatorade? Hanggang dito ba naman, yan pa rin ang iniinom? And siopao, seriously?

"Pang ilang balik mo na yan?" Tanong ko kay Mika.

Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin bago umupo sa upuan na katabi nung akin. "Pangalawa pa lang to, wag kang ano dyan."

Sabi niya last time na gusto niyang mag loose ng weight but with the diet she has, I think it will take her a long time before she could have the kind of figure that she wanted. 

"Anyare sa diet?"

"Wala na yun. Mas mahal ko ang tiyan ko, I don't want to starve myself."

Haaay, bahala na nga muna kayo dyan, Tumayo na ako at kumuha ng makakain ko. I paid for my food and then bumalik uli sa table namin. Tinanong ko ang dalawa kong kaibigan kung nasaan sina Cienne at Carol, sabi naman nila na nasa library pa kasi may tinatapos raw silang group work sa isa nilang minor subject pero malapit na raw silang matapos.

Habang hinihintay namin ang iba, binabad muna namin ang sarili namin sa instagram. Naghanap ako ng isang magandang picture na kinuha ko last week at pinost 'yon sa account ko. After nun, nag tinignan ko ang mga posts ng mga taong finollow ko. Wala namang bago, tinignan ko ang notifications nila at nakita kong may nilike si Jeron na isang post. Agad ko naman itong tinignan. I want to see you more happy, guess I have to double my efforts then. 

Kumunot ang noo ko sa nabasa ko. Ano'ng ibig sabihin nun? Masaya naman ako with his company ah. 

Kaya agad ko siyang tinawagan. He answered it on the third ring. 

"Hello?"

"Yes, Ara? Why did you call?"

"I just want to check on you. You haven't texted me since earlier this morning."

I heard him chuckle na agad namang nagpangiti sa akin. 

"Sorry 'bout that. I had to do some errands. But don't worry, we'll see each other later."

"Awww, kaya pala."

"Why, do you miss me already?" May halong pang aasar niyang tanong. 

"Hindi kaya." Agad kong deny. "I was just worried--"

"That's so nice to hear coming from you."

"Ewan ko sayo. I'll end this call na. Bye."

"Already? Fine, just text me your location later para I can fetch you. Okay?"

"Noted. Bye na."

"See you later, Ara."


I ended the call na and napansin kong nakatingin ang dalawa kong kaibigan na binibigyan ako ng weird na tingin. Saka ko lang naalala na hindi pa pala nila alam na Jeron and I's situation. 

"Oh, ba't ganyan kayo makatingin?" Tanong ko sa kanila.

Mika smiled mischievously. "Who was that?"

"Wala lang yun." Patay malisya kong sagot.

"Pero yung ngiti kanina grabe, abot hanggang langit sa tuwa." Sabat naman ni Mika.

"Parang familiar yung boses eh. Kilala ba namin 'to?" Tanong naman ni Kimmy.

"Ewan ko sa inyo." Uminom ako mula sa shake kong binili. 


"Ayaw mong magsalita ha, soon malalaman rin namin yang secret lover mo." Pananakot ni Mika sa'kin habang may determinadong tingin na nakaplast sa mukha niya.




Lagot na. Jeron kasi eh!




---


The long wait is finally over, jk. Hi, guys! Sorry ngayon lang ako nakapag update, I've been very busy with my acads since the end of the first term is already approaching. Thank you for all your votes and comments. Hopefully, your support for this story is still there hahaha. Anyways, did you notice something? Yes! The book has a new cover photo. Wala lang, I'm just pointing it out hahaha. Don't forget to leave your comments and reactions about this chapter. 








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