Red Strings

08

Is he serious? Hindi niya ako na-gets, icoconsider niya pa si Ade?

"What? It's a sarcasm, Papa!" Napatayo na ako sa pagkakaupo.

"Nakita ko siya kanina bago ako umuwi, may kasamang babae, he's not busy. duh? Busy with girls? Mas inuna niya pa yun kesa ihatid ako dito?"

"Kaya nga buti na lang andyan si Alex..."

"I can't believe this Papa, this is unfair! Favorite mo si Ade?" Sambit ko. Mula first day lagi na lang napapagbigyan yan si Samuele.

Padabog akong umupo ulit. Ayoko magwalk-out just for this. It's a small thing but Papa isn't fair, naiinis ako. I crossed my arms on my chest and I was pouting.

Monday and the next few days was dedicated to the farm. Alternate akong bumabalik balik sa farm because I don't like staying longer there. Nakakadrain lang. We're getting back to Manila now. My school is starting, si Alex ulit ang naghatid. He's back with his school. I didn't got an update from Samuele mula ng umuwi kami. Baka sa mga oras na wala ako sa bahay, nagkausap na siguro sila ni Papa.

It's my first day, wala akong kakilala at masyadong alam sa school so when I got here, hinatid ako ni Alex, dumiretso na lang ako sa classroom. When I entered, may mga iilang estudyante na ang naroon. Maya't maya may mga iilang nagsidatingan na rin.

Almost everyone looked at me like they're scanning through me and they're like the bitches in schools that are pretty insecure to you. Yung iba parang nakakita naman ng multo, natagalan ang titig sa sakin.

Is there something wrong with my face? Hindi ako nagsuot ng kahit ano sa mukha ko ngayon even a tint blush. My lips are naturally red and I just wore sunscreen. Inilugay din ang buhok.

Some said hi to me ang iba ay kumaway lang. I smiled at them. Okay, I get it. I might look intimidating kaya hindi nila ako inapproach una palang. Ganito rin ang nangyari sa akin nung mga unang araw ko sa school sa Batangas. This is why I hate transferring schools often.

"New student, Miss Fabellar?" Napa-angat ang tingin ko ng tawagan ako ng prof. Ako lang ba ang bago dito?

"Yes po,"

He only nodded. Umupo ako ulit at nung tumayo ako kanina, I noticed on my peripheral vision, it felt like everyone stared intimidating at me. Kung ano ano na ata naiisip ko.

"Lei!" Someone called me by my nickname. Bumaling ako sa kanya and I was surprised when I realized it was Crizelle. My friend in Batangas! Hindi ko inakalang sa Manila na siya! Biniro pa niya ako nun na baka makalimot na ako.

"Crizelle?!" Sa gulat ay napayakap agad ako, I'm happy meeting someone I know since I'm alone on my first days.

"Paano? Ang sabi mo hindi ka magma-Manila?" Tanong ko. It's recess time, palakad kami papuntang canteen. The schedule for today is short. After this, one subject left and it's finally dismissal.

"Napaisip din ako noh. Para kasi pag college pangarap ko sa Manila kaya para makapagadjust ganun! Pero nakakapanibago pala."

That's what I thought too. Aside from wanting to socialize with the people in here.

"Si Tope, alam mo ba, nag Manila na rin yun! Grabe nga eh di ko inexpect. Kamusta na pala kayo nun?" Tanong niya at sumubo sa kinakain.

I sighed before answering. Lagi na lang Topher ang tinatanong ng mga tao.

"Sorry, di ko pala nakwento sa 'yo nun. It was moving up and we already ended up the courtship thing-"

"Hala! Kayo na?" She assumed and din't let me finish with my statement.

I chuckled. "Hindi hindi.. I mean, we both decided to stay as good friends saka pupunta na rin akong Manila non sabi niya kaya naisipan niyang tumigil na rin sa Manila."

"Huh? Eh pero ngayon nasa Manila na siya ah?"

"Unexpected naman yon, hayaan mo na."

Bumalik na kami sa klase. The last class was 1 hour but I didn't expected it to be that fast hindi ko na rin namalayan. Nagpaalam na ako kay Crizelle. May pasok ulit bukas kaya magkikita rin. Nakakilala na rin ako ng mga ibang kaklase. I don't know how I will go home, Alex didn't give me a heads up if he'll fetch me. Chineck ko na lang muna ang phone ko.

Papa:

Wait there on the shed in your school.

Dad texted me prior to my last class. Nagawa ko pang magreply pero hindi ako sinagot. Bakit niya ko pinaghihintay, may susundo ba sa akin?

Few minutes passed and my phone rang.

It's Ade calling.

What now? I rolled my eyes before answering it. I let him speak first.

"Hey, 10:00." Bungad niya. I slightly turned to my left and there I saw Ade leaning on the car looking at me while his phone is on his ears.