Forever Agape [FS#1]

FALSE HOPE

C h a p t e r  10

I spent my time in the library to review the overview of my report, I began explaining things to myself in front of the mirror and I even elaborated on some examples that Hell provided when he did my report. My topic is actually part of section nine, marketing basics.

Marketing Basics specifically talks about the brand image, marketing and market positioning, and the steps in developing a marketing message. Here, students learn market share and market penetration strategy, market segmenting and research, and questions to ask in a customer profile survey.

Natigil lang ako nang bumukas ang pinto, iniluwa 'non si Hell na may dalang isang tray at kaagad na lumakad papunta sa akin. I stopped for awhile, iginilid ko muna ang aking papel at macbook upang mailagay niya ang tray sa table.

"Done?" He asked, I shook my head. "You should eat first, you can continue that later." Aniya, kinuha niya ang isang wooden chair at umupo sa tabi ko.

I rest my back as I massaged the bridge of my nose, naramdaman ko ang titig niya sa akin kaya naman napahinto ako.

"Hindi ako nahihirapan," Una ko na kaagad kaya naman napangisi ito. Pride will keep us alive, Hurricane!

"I'm not saying anything,"

"Your eyes told me so," Mabilis kong depensa, sandali itong napatigil at nakita ko pa kung paano tumaas ang gilid ng kanyang labi.

I shrugged and turned my gaze into the food in front of us. May dalawang plato roon, ibigsabihin lang ay hindi pa siya kumakain.

Kinuha ko ang platong may laman ng kanin, iniabot niya naman ang kutsara at tinidor. Nilagyan niya rin iyon ng ulam habang ako ay tinitignan lang iyon, para akong lumpo dahil sa ginagawa niya. It's pakbet tagalog, may gulay at ang sahog naman ay liempo.

"Tita Xerxes said you travel to learn different cuisine, it must not be difficult for you to cook Filipino dishes..." Bati ko, tumikhim ako roon at tumango-tango pa.

"Kapag bakasyon lang," Sumubo pa ako at tinignan siya, he extended his arms as I felt his finger on the edge of my lips. Pinunasan niya iyon, ah, the mantika sa sabaw!

"You're alone?"

"Hmm, yes." I'm surprised, kahit naman may pera ako ay ayaw kong gumala na mag-isa! That would be boring! Pero ang isang ito, mukhang sanay. "Maybe you're thinking why I took STEM instead of TVL. Then I'll take Business Administration in College."

"You are quite problematic young man!" Sumubo akong muli, kinapa ko ang gilid ng aking labi dahil bigla akong na-conscious sa ginawa niya kanina. "You should've taken ABM instead..." I added.

"We have a contextualized subject, Entrepreneurship to be exact. That's fine, not enough, but sure a good introduction."

That's a good point, although it will be very helpful if he took ABM. "Why did it end up that way, then? Medyo... Magulo." Nakita ko kung paano siya tumigil sa pag-subo, he stop midway for a second but continue right away.

"Masarap?" Napalunok ako dahil sa biglang pag-iiba niya ng usapan. I know, I am not dumb, I know that he doesn't want to talk about it. I nodded, he smiled a little as we continue eating.

Now, I can clearly see the line. It's visible. Hurricane, you have to understand. This is just part of the fake concealment, you don't have to know everything about him because a day will come that you'll both just forget this pace of your life. Still, you are willing to ruin this arrange marriage. Iyon ang mga bagay na ibinulong ko sa sarili hanggang sa matapos kaming kumain.