War in Katipunan

Kabanata 21

KABANATA 21.

As Lovers Go.

WHEN Lily woke up, it was almost midnight. We joined the countdown downstairs with Luthor’s parents and house helps. Luthor took a lot of picture too when the fireworks display began. Naalala ko noong nanood rin kami ng fireworks noong Paskuhan. Parang ganito rin iyon.

We ate after that. Luthor’s parents were very nice and talking to me while eating. I had so much fun with them. I never thought that I’ll spend the New Year with Luthor again. It was priceless.

Around one in the morning, Luthor’s parents and Lily dozed off to bed. Gano’n rin ang mga house helps nila. That left the both of us on the balcony of the second floor of their house. Tahimik kaming sumisimsim ng tea. I was suggested coffee but he prepared tea dahil baka raw hindi na kami makatulog. Hindi na rin ako umangal pa.

“What’s your New Year’s resolution?” Luthor broke the silence.

“Gumagawa ka ba no’n?”

“Oo naman. My New Year’s resolution is to be a good doctor after I graduate med school. Ikaw ba?” I looked at him. Even his new year’s resolution is good. He is so sure of himself.

“Hmm, be better at school, I think.” Wala akong ibang maisip. I heard him chuckle.

“I’ll help you.” Napataas ang kilay ko.

“You’ll be on your residency after you graduated. Busy ka na.” it suddenly hit me. A few months from now Luthor will be very busy. Residency is hard, he has to focus. Which means less time for hang-outs but at least he is a step closer to his dreams.

“I’ll make time,” sumimsim siya sa cup. “If it’s you then I’ll make time.”

AFTER THE awkward talk, we dosed off to sleep. Kinabukasan rin ay inihatid niya ako sa condo. It was a little awkward, well, for me dahil ako lang naman ang mayroong ibang feelings sakaniya. Kaya nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang makapasok na ako sa condo.

The next days were normal after that. The school year resumed. And the days flew so fast. Tama nga sila, bumubilis ang oras kapag may ginagawa ka. Pagkabalik na pagkabalik namin sa school ay tinambakan agad kami ng gagawin ng mga prof.

Hindi ko alam kung sinamantala ba nila ang buong Christmas vacation para mag-isip ng mga ipapagawa saamin. And when I said na tinambakan nila kami ng gagawin, talagang tambak na tambak. Andami naming group projects at research. Buti nalang ay sanay na ‘ko sa mga ganito.

Tulad nalang ngayon, alas-sais na pero nag-aabang parin ako ng ikot. Kakatapos lang ng meeting ko kasama ‘yong mga groupmates ko sa isang major subject at wala akong masakyan dahil punuan ang mga jeep ngayon. Sakto pang marami akong bitbit ngayon dahil gagawa ako ng plate mamaya.

Kinuha ko ang phone ko par asana tawagan si Fita nang may biglang bumusina sa harap ko. nang mag-angat ako ng tingin ay agad kong nakita ang nakangiting mukha ni Luthor. Agad na lumiwanag ang mukha ko. I didn’t saw him for almost two weeks!

“Hop in!” tumalima ako at sumakay sa shotgun seat ng kotse niya. Inilagay ko rin ang mga dala kong gamit sa back seat.

“Seat belt, miss.” I chuckled and put on my seat belt. Katulad ng dati ay ibinigay niya saakin ang phone niya para ako ang mag-play ng music. I choose a chill OPM song.

“Stressed?” he asked while driving. Now that he asked me parang biglang bumigat ang pakiramdam ko. Parang lahat ng stress na idinulot saakin sa loob ng dalawang linggo ay ngayon ko naramdaman.

“Sobra.” I answered shortly. I rested my head on the head rest at nagpahinga ng konti. Parang biglang sumakit ‘yong ulo ko.

“Sorry, I wasn’t around for two weeks. May final touches sa thesis ko eh.” I just nodded. Wala na ata akong lakas para magsalita pa. ilang Segundo pa ay naramdaman ko na ang pagbigat ng talukap ng mga mata ko.