Just This Once (COMPLETED)

Kabanata 30

#JustThisOnce

Kabanata 30 

Things were certainly different this time around... hindi ko ma-point out kung ano mismo, but I was certain that something changed.

"Here," Parker said nung iabot niya sa akin ang isang libro pa. Halos tore na iyong nasa harapan ko pero patuloy lang na nadadagdagan pa iyon.

I sighed. Nasa gitna pa naman ng sembreak pero feeling ko, pasukan na ulit. "Naka-pasa naman ako dito..." I said when I looked at the books he added to the pile.

"Yeah, but you need to understand the basics before you can proceed to the higher subjects," sabi niya at saka pinatong iyong huling libro na kailangan kong basahin. "It'll only get harder from now on."

"Alam ko," I said, still feeling defeated. Gusto ko naman ding magpaka-positive dahil nakikita ko na nag-e-effort si Parker na matulungan ako... but it still hurt na bagsak ako. Kahit sariling kagagawan ko naman 'yun.

Parker held my chin and made me look at him. "Hey," he said. "Listen, we're work on this together."

I smiled. "Thank you... pero hindi ka ba kailangan sa office?" tanong ko sa kanya. Sinabihan niya na kasi ako kagabi na 'wag na muna akong pumasok sa office. I tried to reason with him dahil parte iyon ng trabaho ko, pero buo na yata iyong pasya niya. He wanted me to focus on studying.

"They'll manage," he answered. Kinuha niya iyong isang libro at saka binuksan. May mga naka-sulat sa gilid na notes niya. "I'll help you fix your scheds this sem."

"Ha?"

"Sometimes, students fail not because they are stupid. It's because of the professor," sagot niya at saka nilapit sa akin iyong libro. "We'll get you the best professors," he assured me.

God, Parker.

"We'll get you the ones who don't give cinco just because they feel like it," he continued. "Also, do you have preferred time? Do you—"

"Thank you," I cut him off.

Kumunot ang noo niya. "For what?"

"For helping me work on myself."

Napaawang ng kaunti iyong labi niya. It was like he was caught off guard for a moment before he regained his composure. Parker's always been calm... and calculating. Minsan ko lang siya makita na magalit talaga... and ayoko na makita ulit. He's pretty scary when he's mad.

Akala ko sasagot siya pero parang nahiya na siya. Napa-ngiti na lang ako. Natapos iyong araw namin na pinabasa niya sa akin lahat nung essential. Pati nga codals pina-refresh niya sa akin para raw sure na alam ko pa rin. After nun, per subject na iyong tinuturo niya sa akin.

"Alam mo pa rin 'to?" amazed na tanong ko habang tinuturuan niya ako.

"Yeah," he said, still focused on what he's reading. "You need to not only remember, but also understand these, Gen," sabi niya sabay highlight nung terms dun sa book about Contracts.

"I know, I know."

"Really?" sabi niya at saka tinignan naman ako. "You don't seem focused."

"I am." Parker just stared at me like he knew I was lying. "Okay, fine. Medyo nahihilo na ako sa dami ng binabasa ko," I admitted. We were studying for the whole day already at talaga namang naghahalo na lahat ng letters sa paningin ko. Pati pa 'yung mga clauses and obligations shits na 'yan.

God, minsan iniisip ko na lang kung ano ba 'tong pinasok ko.

I thought Parker would still push me to read some more pero tumayo na siya. I looked up to him. He offered his hand.