Reclaim The Game (COMPLETED)

Chapter 08

He nodded. "I'll see you later," he said, then it was his turn to kiss my cheek. "Best of luck, Atty."

I bit my lower lip as I smiled. "Thanks, Doc."

* * *

Para akong nabunutan ng tinik nang matapos iyong Remedial. I got out of the room and went on to my usual spot to have my lunch. Natigilan ako pagdating ko roon dahil biglang nakita ko iyong triplets na nagla-lunch sa pwesto ko.

"Hey, Sob," Vito said. 

I smiled. Hindi naman ako pwedeng mag-inarte. Ang hirap humanap ng magandang spot for lunch at saka ayokong mapagod kasi may last exam pa for later.

Naupo ako sa tabi ni Sancho dahil iyon iyong may space pa.

"Will you go to the party later?" Vito asked. I was kind of weirded out dahil normally ay hindi naman kami nag-uusap. Mas more on si Nikolai iyong madaldal sa kanilang magkakaibigan.

"No," I replied.

"Really? Why?"

"Dinner with fam," simpleng sagot ko.

As expected from Brent, may party mamaya para sa pagtatapos ng BAR exam. Free flowing drinks sagot ng fraternities. Invited nga rin ako dahil sa soro, pero syempre mas pipiliin ko na magdinner kasama iyong family ko... Tapos formally, ipapakilala ko pa si Sean sa kanila.

"Oh," he said, smile still on his face. "If you change your mind..." he said, shrugging.

An awkward smile was all he got from me. Binilisan ko na lang kumain at saka dumiretso sa CR. Naglakad-lakad muna ako sa loob ng UST habang naghihintay na magresume na iyong exam. Habang naghihintay ako, nakita ko na makaka-salubong ko si Sancho. I just simply nodded at him. Kung may crush man talaga siya sa 'kin, e 'di thank you... 'Di naman ibig sabihin nun required na magka-feelings ako sa kanya. Bakit naman ako magkaka-gusto sa kanya e hindi naman kami nag-uusap? Ano 'yun, magic?

Besides, I was happy with Sean.

I was contented.

I was looking forward to the end of this BAR month kasi one-week kaming aalis ni Sean para magbakasyon. After nun, didiretso ako sa Vizcaya para makas-sama iyong family ko. Sean promised na bibisitahin niya ako roon kapag may time siya—o baka ako na lang iyong lumuwas sa Manila. Kawawa naman kasi iyong isang 'yun. Minsan, kita kong pagod na pagod na siya sa duty niya. May one time nga naka-tulog 'yun habang nag-uusap kami, e.

When it was finally time to go back to the room, mas binilisan ko iyong lakad ko.

"Lyana."

Agad akong napa-hinto nang may marinig akong tumawag sa pangalan ko. I turned around with the expectation of seeing Sancho dahil siya lang ang tumatawag sa akin niyan.

"Yeah?" I replied.

His hands were inside his pocket. He was standing right before me. It's just so weird seeing him this serious around me kasi kapag kasama niya iyong mga kaibigan niya, sobrang ingay niya.

"Good luck," he said.

"Good luck din," I replied. I gave him a small smile. "See you around, I guess?" I continued before turning around again and heading to the venue.

Pagdating ko sa venue, huminga ako nang malalim. Ipinikit ko ang mga mata ko at nagdasal. It's been a freaking long month... but I was here. I survived. God, thank You.

"Atty. Laurel, here we go," I uttered to myself before I began answering my hopefully first and last BAR exam.

* * *