Chasing in the Wild (University Series #3)

17

"Wala ka pang boyfriend, Eli?" 

I almost choked on my food when Ate Helen suddenly asked. It was her birthday today so inaya niya kami ng birthday dinner. Kami-kami lang naman nina Kuya and then 'yong iba nilang friends. Hindi ko na sila masyadong nakakausap. I was just so occupied with studies and Sevi. Ngayon lang ulit ako nagpakita sa kanila. My brother looked at me, waiting for an answer. 

"W-wala pa," I denied and sipped on my water. 

"Wala pa talaga? Hindi na yata namin maaabutan na magka-boyfriend ka." Ate Ericka pouted.

"What? Why?" Kumunot ang noo ko. 

"Huwag n'yo nang ipilit," masungit na sabi ni Kuya. He looked so tired! Kumusta na kaya siya sa law school? 

"Oh, Ericka and I are going to take our master's in the U.S.," Ate Helen explained. "But we're still processing the papers."

"What? You're leaving?" I pouted more. "After Hiro, kayo naman ang aalis?!" 

"Come on! Babalik din kami kaagad and uuwi naman kami kapag may break, unlike Hiro na doon na talaga titira. Don't worry!" Ate Ericka tried to console me. 

"We might leave next year if ma-process agad 'yong papers." 

They were becoming busier now. That was just what 'adulting' made us. Nakakatakot tumanda. Pakiramdam ko, nawawalan na sila ng oras para sa sarili nila. They either would spend time working or studying like my brother. Ako rin... nagiging busy na rin sa personal life and studies. 

"Ikaw, Shan? Girlfriend?" tanong ni Kuya Neil. 

Muntik na ring masamid si Kuya sa iniinom niyang tubig. Tumaas ang kilay ko habang nakatingin sa kaniya, hinihintay ang kaniyang sagot. May tinatago talaga 'to eh! He just wouldn't say it.

"Wala, I'm busy." He shook his head. 

"Weh? Dati kapag nagtatanong kami kung may girlfriend ka, sasabihin mo 'sino roon?'!" 

"My girlfriend is the law." He laughed. "It makes me crazy. It occupies my time."

I couldn't keep up especially when they were talking about work and master's! Oh gosh, pakiramdam ko kasama ko ang matatanda. I had to go home early because of that. May pasok pa 'ko kinabukasan eh. Buti pa sila, maglalasing na lang. Hindi ko lang alam kay Kuya. 

For Sevi's birthday, I organized a surprise party with the help of Sam. She agreed to do it in her condo. I only invited his close friends, including Arkin, but may shooting siya so hindi makakapunta. 

"Ang pangit diyan. Huwag n'yo dyan ilagay 'yong lobo!" Luna pointed at the balloons. 

"Luna, ang ingay ng bunganga mo. Pag nagising anak ko, sasakmalin kita." Yanna asked her to shut up because Avi was sleeping in the other room.