"What's happening here?" Words that made everyone gasped. Well, except us.
"I'll ask again.... What happened here?" He asked the moment he went closer. I didn't looked at him since I know there would be no difference the way he looks.
"Aiz, bro... It was just a misunderstanding." Sabi nong lalaking kasama at pumigil sa walanghiyang nagtulak kay Zel.
Instead of paying attention to them. Pinulot ko nalang ang mga gamit ni Zel na nag kalat sa sahig.
"What exactly happened, Eid?" I heard Alexus who were with the Ice asked. Kaya napatingin ako sa kaniya.
"... Ci?" He added while now looking at the guy who's infront of us.
"Cian! Eiderson!" He exclaimed. Seems like he's now irritated. He looks different from his usual smiley face.
"You alright?" I whispered to Zel. And she just nodded while wiping the dirt on her shirt.
"What kind of scene is this? At the middle of the cafeteria? You knew everyone's having their lunch breaks." I heard Alexus added. So I look at them again.
The guy who's name's Cian is still looking at our direction full of lout. While the guys who's with him, who's name is Eiderson just looked away.
"That's enough, Al." The Icey guy suddenly said.
"Tell us what happened." He authoritatively said.
"Huh?" I confusedly asked as I look at him, since I know his pertaining to us.
"Are you deaf?" Naiinip na sabi niya.
"No." Naiinip ko ring sagot. Dahilan para magsalubong ang kilay niya.
"Why would you ask if you already have an idea about what happened." Zel stated while glancing at him.
Seems like Zel remember him.
"Aizer?" Alexus confusedly called out his name habang nagtatakang nakatingin kay Ice who's just wearily staring at us.
Aizer, huh. Kaya pala Aiz, pronounced as 'ice'. Tsk, kaya pala ang lamig.
"Shein, I'm starving." Zel suddenly whispered. I just look at her then nodded.
"It was the incident happened at the mall." I heard Eiderson simply answered which made everyone at the cafeteria gasped and started gossiping again. Gayon din kay Alexus.
"Huh?... Wait... Don't tell me—" Before Alexus complete his words I cutted him.
"Yes. So if you'll excuse us. We're both starving, and there's already thirty minutes left for this lunch break... Just talk to the guy who started this... Let's go, Zel." I straightforwardly said, then drag Zel out of that area.
The four of them seems surprised as they acted late. Maging ang mga nanonood.
Since walang naka pila sa counter ay nag take out nalang ako ng pagkain at agad na lumabas kami ni Zel sa Cafeteria. Naghanap kami ng bench na may table na malayo sa lugar na yon.
We found a round bench with round table far from Cafeteria and near the parking area.
We ate our lunch silently since I don't feel like talking. And Zel's the same.
I'm sure she's pissed.
"I have an extra shirt in my car. I want to change." She said after we finished eating.
"Okay." Maikling sagot ko.
We headed straight to her car. Since tinted ang sasakyan niya, sa loob nalang siya nag palit, habang ako ay nasa labas.
After minutes ay nagdecide kaming pumunta na sa kaniya kaniya namin classroom.
Nang makarating ako sa classroom ay late na pala ako. Mabuti nalang si Prof Jhoanna ang prof ngayon.
Simula nong nangyari ang sagutan namin ni Ice about daydreaming, she didn't treat us strictly like before, especially me. Although, hindi magbabago iyong palagi siyang magtatawag ng student para questionin.
Agad niya akong pinapasok, at walang imik akong naupo sa upuan ko.
I didn't dare to look to the guys next to me. Kahit na, ramdam ko ang tingin nilang dalawa.
"Ms Estamante, since you were late. Tell us something about what Marketing is." Medjo nabigla ako sa pagtatanong ni ma'am.
Grabe naman, purke late ako. Tsk!
I look at her naturally bago ako tumayo. She's looking straight at me waiting for my answer. I took a deep breath before stating my answer.
"Marketing refers to the activities which are concerned with facilitating and consuming exchange... The major marketing functions are exchange, distribution and facilitating... And a market is people with needs to satisfy, money to spend, and willingness to buy." I shortly answered and tumango tango naman si ma'am.
"And how does marketing works?" She asked again.
"It works with a right and effecting planning.... They call it Marketing Plan, an outline of actions designed to achieve a specific set of goals in business... Also includes strategies and effort to how producers can satisfy their consumers."
"Very well Ms Estamante!" Ma'am Jhoanna commented while grinning and let me take my seat. Then she continue talking infront.
Napabuntong hininga naman ako at napalingon sa left side ko. Napatingin ako sa nakangising Alexus at seryosong Ice... Napairap nalang ako at bored na ibinalik ang tingin sa harapan.
Hanggang sa matapos lahat ng afternoon classes ko wala akong naintindihan sa mga diniscuss kahit na nakikinig naman ako. And thankful wala ng may nagtanong sakin dahil hindi ako segurado kong masasagot ko sila ng tama.
When dismissal came, ay agad akong lumabas ng classroom. Nasa baba na ako ng building when I saw one of my professor who gave a task earlier.
"What the fuck!" I muttered when I remembered I haven't answered the textbook.
Hinanap ko agad ang textbook sa bag ko, but I can't find it.
Shit, san ko ba nilagay iyon!? Then my eyes widen when I remembered that it was on my desk.
Dali-dali akong naglakad pabalik sa classroom ko. Pero wala naman akong nakitang textbook sa table ko ngayong hapon? Hindi kaya kinuha ng classmates ko at ipinasa na?
Pero alam ko, wala pang may nagcontribute noon, since I saw one of my classmates holding one while we're having class.
Natigil ang iniisip ko nang makasalubong ang dakilang yelo and he's alone.... Umiwas ako nang tingin at patuloy lang ang paglalakad, hanggang malampasan ko na siya.
Agad akong pumasok sa classroom at may ilan pa akong classmates na nandon.
Hinanap ko agad ang textbook ko at tinanong ang mga classmates ko kung may nakita na sila sa desk ko. But sadly, it was nowhere to be found!
Parang sasabog ako sa inis sa loob-looban ko. Just where the fuck is it!
Inis akong lumabas ng classroom at nag lakad paalis. Hanggang makarating ako sa parking lot. I saw Zel's already in her car.
"What's with that face?" She immediately asked nang makapasok ako sa loob ng kotse.
"What?" Taas kilay kong tanong. But she just shrugged her shoulders and pinaandar na ang sasakyan.
I stayed silent for the whole ride hanggang makarating kami sa bahay. I immediately went upstairs and locked myself inside my room. I didn't even have dinner.
The next morning, I feel more annoyed. Ang sakit pa ng ulo ko... Since wala na naman ako sa mood ay hindi ko ginamit na naman ang kotse ko. This time I went with Blake since mas early ang schedule ni Zel today.
"Are you really alright, Shein? You really look unwell since yesterday." Blake suddenly asked while his eyes' on the road.
"Yeah. Just not in the mood." I simply answered.
After that, we stayed quiet hanggang makarating kami sa RU.
"Kanino ka sasabay later?" Tanong niya ng magstop na ang sasakyan.
"Don't know." Maikling sagot ko at lumabas na.
"Five ang labas ko, hintayin ba kita?" Tanong niya ulit.
"Wag na." Maikling sagot ko naman ulit.
"Sure ka? Sige e text mo nalang ako, or kahit si Zel or Clayd kung gusto mo magpasundo." Tumango naman ako at nagsimula nang maglakad paalis.
Habang naglalakad papunta sa classroom ko ay marami akong narinig na bulungan.
"She's with the money ripper yesterday, right?"
"Yeah, I saw them always together."
"Mukang close sila."
Money ripper my ass. I know their talking about what happened yesterday. Mukang kumalat agad ang balita. Mga chismosa talaga.
"She's the nerd from yesterday, right.?"
"She looks timid but had guts to help her friend."
"But she looks calm, she doesn't even look surprised when Aizer came."
Tsk. Of course, sino ba yung Ice na yun para katakutan ko? namin? when we can fight, right? Nakakainis lang ang pagka sobrang feeling superior nila.
Nang makarating ako sa harapan classroom ay ang sobrang tahimik. Nasa pintoan palang ako, alam ko nang nandon na sa loob yung dalawa.
Malakas kong binuksan ang pinto kaya gulat silang lahat na lumingon sakin. Hindi ko sila pinansin hanggang makaupo ako sa upuan ko.
Sunod na dumating naman yung iba ko pang mga classmates then ang prof.
Katulad kahapon, tahimik lang akong nakikinig. Hindi katulad noong ibang araw na gumagawa ako ng ingay.
Lunch break came on an instant. Dahil sa sobrang bored ko, hindi ko manlang namalayang lunch break na.
Nang lumabas ako sa room ay dumeretso agad ako sa cr bago pumunta sa cafeteria.
I was on my way there, when I saw Zel's on her way to Cafeteria too. She waved her hand and mabilis na naglakad palapit sakin.
"Great timing." She said while grinning. I just chuckled as we start walking our way to the Cafeteria.
Until were almost at the entrance when I saw the two guy from yesterday. At kung papalarin ka nga naman, makakasalubong pa namin sila....
I look at Zel but she looks like she doesn't care. What if, gumawa na naman sila ng eksena? Well, the hell I care...
Pero laking gulat ko ng nilampasan lang nila kami. I'm sure they saw us.
Just what the heck?
I look at Zel, and it seems like she's also surprised. Maging ang mga taong nakatingin sa amin. They seems like they're also asking what the hell happened? Halos mapatay ni Cian si Zel kahapon dahil sa inis.
I heard Zel sarcastically chuckled as we walked our way to our table.
Thus, we had taken our lunch peaceful like before.
"Just text us later kung papasundo ka, okay!"
Paalala ulit ni Zel. Tumango lang naman ako bilang sagot.
Kakalabas lang namin, at ngayo'y naglalakad na patungo sa kaniya-kaniyang building.
Since I remembered, I don't have class at this hour, kaya ay dumeretso ako sa rooftop para magpahangin.
Nang makarating ako doon ay mabuti nalang hindi naka-lock at wala ring tao. Pumunta ako sa pinakalikod para pumunta sa pinaka taas kung saan ako dati nagstay since nandoon ang hagdan.
Umakyat agad ako ng hagdan... And I saw a white handkerchief na nasa gilid ng last na tier. Pinulot ko iyon, at tinignang mabuti... Mukang bago pa at kakagamit lang.
"ADDC?" I muttered when I saw a sewed letters at the upper right part of the handkerchief. Mukang palatandaan ng may-ari.
Wala namang tao nong pumasok ako, at wala din dito sa taas... Kanino kaya to.
"That's mine." Suddenly a voice from behind said.
Napalingon agad ako ng marinig iyon.
I saw a guy staring straight at me, nakatayo sa pinakaunang baitang ng hagdan.
What is this Ice doing here again?
Tinignan ko ulit ang nakalagay na letters sa panyong hawak ko.
ADDC... Does it stand as Aizer....Del Castillo? But what does the other D means?
Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa kaniya. Is he sure, he owns this?
Napatigil ako sa pagiisip when he walked straight towards me habang hindi inaalis ang tingin sakin.
He stopped until only one tier left between us. He suddenly extended his hand, showed his palm, as if telling me to hand him his handkerchief.
I wearily look at his handkerchief. And I was about to give it back when he suddenly step forward.
Nagulat akong napatingin sa kaniya, dahil halos wala ng space sa gitna namin kaya napaatras ako. At ang tanga ko, nasa hagdan pala kami!
Mas nagulat ako ng bigla niya akong hinawakan sa bewang para hindi ako mahulog. And it's almost only an inch left between us.
"Be careful or you'll fall." He look surprised when he said that, still holding my waist.
Shit! Damn! Fuck! My heart's rapidly beating.
Napahawak ako sa handle ng hagdan habang ang isa kong kamay ay nasa dibdib ko when he released me, and I stand straight while I quickly look at my back. Why the hell did I forgot na wala na palang bar sa likoran ko.
Yeah right, muntik na akong mahulog.
"What the f." I muttered. At ibinalik ang tingin sa kaniya. He was just staring at me with those fierce eyes.
"Here! Why the hell did you suddenly step forward! F*ck, muntik pa akong mahulog." Medjo inis kong sabi at inabot sa kaniya ang panyo.
"Stop cursing." He suddenly said.
My hand with his handkerchief were on his chest at nanlaki ang mga mata ko ng hawakan niya yon. Kaya dali-dali kong tinanggal ang kamay ko.
"Why'd you care." I uttered with an 'I-don't-care' voice and walk pass through him leaving him behind.
Naglakad ako pababa ng hagdan and stop nang liliko na ako. Sinulyapan ko siya, and found out he's still there, he didn't even move an inch.
Lumingon siya sakin, and our eyes met. Agad akong umiwas ng tingin at mabilis na naglakad paalis.
Hangang makarating ako sa classroom hindi parin mawala sa isip ko ang nangyari sa rooftop. Dahil kalahating oras pa bago ang magsimula ang klase, nakinig lang muna ako sa kwentohan ng mga classmates ko since wala ako sa mood para sumali.
Ilang minuto pa bago magsimula ang klase ay dumating siya kasama si Alexus at kasunod si ma'am.
I didn't dare to look at him kahit na sa harap sila dumaan. It will only remind me of what happen earlier.
Nagsimulang mag discuss si ma'am kaya sinubukan kong makinig ng maayos.
"Oh right, before I end this session... We will be having a group task regarding what I've discussed."
Some gasped and some stayed quiet after ma'am said that.
"I will group you myself and I will choose your topic. I will be announcing the groups tomorrow. Is that clear?" Ma'am added.
"Yes ma'am." Everyone answered, except the three of us here.
What kind of group task would it be?
When dismissal came, agad akong umalis ng classroom at pumunta muna ako sa cr.
Exactly 6:05 ay dinismiss kami ng last prof namin. Kaya medjo madilim na sa labas.
Nang lumabas ako sa cr ay agad akong nag lakad pababa ng building.
I was already at the entrance ng makita ko ang dakilang yelo na galing sa kabilang hallway at naglalakad palabas din ng building.
Hindi ko na pinagtuonan ng pinansin at deretso lang ang lakad. Pumasok tuloy sa isip ko ang nangyari kanina. Tsk!
Nasa likoran ko lang siya, nakasunod, hanggang makarating ako sa parking lot. At hindi na madami ang sasakyan na nandon
"Shit." I mumbled and stop sa gilid hallway when I remember na hindi ko pala dala ang aking sasakyan.
Why did I forgot?!!!!
Agad kong kinuha ang cellphone ko at naglakad patungo sa isang bench dito sa parking lot.
Naka power off pala ang phone kaya pala wala akong mareceive na message. Naupo ako sa bench at hinintay na maopen ito.
"Why you still here?"
Napaangat agad ako ng tingin sa lalaking naka crossed arm na nasa harapan ko.
He's wearing those serious expressions again, he wasn't looking at me, tho.
"Why'd you care." I ribaldly addressed. Napatingin naman siya sakin ng nakakunot noo.
"Did I say 'I care'?" He sarcastically asked.
"Nope, but doesn't your question means you're curious?" Nanliit naman agad ang mga mata niya dahil sa sinabi ko which made me chuckled.
"Look, Mr Del Castillo, I'm not in the mood to deal with your curiousness. Can't you see wala akong sasakyan, wala akong masakyan." Sunod sunod na sabi ko.
"Tsk." Tumingin lang siya sa paligid.
Napairap naman ako at tumingin sa phone ko. I received a lot of message from Zel and Blake, as well as from Clayd. Dahil masyadong marami hindi na ako nag abalang basahin pa isa isa.
"Bakit hindi ka magpasundo or try to grab a cab." Napa tingin ulit ako sa kaniya dahil sa sinabi niya.
Bakit parang ang dami niyang sinasabi ngayon at pinapakialaman ako ngayon. Tsaka, bakit di nalang siya umuwi...
Hindi ko siya sinagot at ibinalik ulit ang tingin sa phone.
"Tsk! Don't you know it's getting late..." Sinulyapan ko lang siya at balik ulit sa pag cecellphone.
"... Tsk!! Saan ka ba na—"
Napatigil siya sa pagsasalita nang magring ang phone ko.
Sinulyapan ko lang siya ulit at sinagot ang tawag mula kay Clayd.
"Where are you? Nasa RU ka pa ba?" Bungad agad nong tumawag.
"Yeah." Sagot ko naman at sumulyap ulit kay Ice na seryoso lang na nakatingin sakin.
"Blake and Zel told me na 6 o'clock rin ang labas mo. Sorry, kakadismiss lang samin." Aniya at nakarinig ako ng pag andar ng sasakyan sa kabilang linya.
"It's okay." Sagot ko naman at tiningnan ang wristwatch ko, it's already 6:25 pm.
"San ka banda, malapit na ako." Dinig kong sabi ni Clayd.
Napatingin naman ako sa kasama ko. Hindi parin to umaalis? Ano bang kaylangan nito.
"Malapit lang sa parking lot." Pagkasabi ko non ay may natanaw akong paparating na sasakyan mula sa kabilang parte ng RU at ang pag end ko ng call.
Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa dakilang yelo at tumayo na.
"Sige Mr Ice, thank you sa time." Bagot kong sabi.
"Mr Ice?" Taas kilay niyang tanong.
"Ah, Hindi ba Aizer pangalan mo? Mr Del Castillo? Tsk, Ice nalang." Pagkasabi ko non at tinalikuran ko na siya.
Tanaw ko mula sa kinaroroonan ko ang pag stop ng isang sasakyan. Di pa man ako nakakalapit dito ay lumabas na mula dito si Clayd.
"Sorry, kanina ka pa ba?" Tanong niya agad at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto.
"Di naman." Maikling sagot ko at sumakay na.
I guess, I will be using my car tomorrow. Para hindi na ako makisabay at maghintay.
Napasulyap ako sa bench na tinambayan ko, at wala don si Mr Ice.
Dakilang yelo, malamig na yelo, Ice, Ice guy, Mr Ice... Tsk, masyado siyang malamig, bagay lang sa kaniya yang mga pangalang yan.