Author's POV
It was almost 6:00 p.m. padilim sa sa school, the people left are those with night classes and others with their own business. mga fifteen minutes ago natapos ang dalawa mag exercise. One is tired and happy, the other one is happy and drained at si Noreen yun.
" Simula ngayon gawin mong routine mag exercise, atleast brisk walking it's better than jogging " Sabi ni Ezekiel, he was sitting on the grass habang si Noreen nakahiga.
" Sorry, ano yun? Hindi ko narinig" Sabi ni Noreen.
Ezekiel laughed at her, tumayo na sya at nag offer ng kamay para itayo si Noreen.
4.) He actually laughs a lot
5.) He helps people...or atleast he helps me up
6.) He...
" Para kang little sister ko " Ezra said smiling.
6.) He...I just got little sister zoned.
And right at that moment naghalo na ang pagod, saya, lungkot at ang langit at lupa bumagsak kay noreen sa narinig nya.
" Seryoso, Nakikita ko si Emmanuela sayo " Sabi ni Ezra as he helped noreen up, he messed up her hair and he laughed, he was happy.
10th, 11th.
Ngumiti nalang si noreen pero sa loob nya, nagkakaroon na sya ng internal battle, masakit mga hita nya, hindi din sya sigurado kung gutom o butterflies nararamdaman nya, ang bigat sa dibdib nya. Dahil ba sa effort ng heart nya mag pump kanina sa pagtakbo o dahil literal sya na heartbreak.
" Hahahahaha " Tumawa nalang si noreen na parang ewan , makita lang ngumiti si Ezra.
But it worked, 12th.
-
" Saan ka na pupunta?" Tanong ni Ezra. They were walking on their way out of the university, Hindi matignan ni noreen si ezra sa mga mata, she was looking down. Yan, kasi noreen, na little sister ka tuloy...
" Okay ka lang?" Ezra stopped walking, hindi kais sumagot si Noreen, napilitan tuloy sya tumingin kay Ezra at ngumiti. " Okay lang ako! IM ESTATIC " She said.
Ezra smiled back, causing electric shock to scatter all over noreen's body. 13th.
" Ohh, Kuya alam mo ba " Sabi ni noreen as she spotted a streetlight that is blinking. " A person is like a shadow " Sabi ni Noreen.
" Are we talking about science or...is it one of your stories? " Sabi ni Ezra as they continued walking.
" Story...ko " Noreen said sounding guilty , na parang na let down nya ang expectations ni Ezra. " I mean, a shadow won't exist without light. Pwede sya mag stand as a person, a person that can't be without another person, a represention of their love " Sabi ni Noreen, They became fixed with the streetlight. " Could be...Bakit mo naiisip ang mga tragedy na yan?" Sabi ni Ezra who was staring at the blinking at the streetlight.
" I don't know...naisip ko lang, without light...their is no shadow " Sabi ni Noreen.
" Hmm, Oo nga " Ezra agreed causing noreen to smile behind him.
" I'll show you something ,meron kang watch ?" Sabi ni Ezra, pagharap nya kay noreen, she hid her smile and started to dig in her backpack dahil tinago nya relo nya doon.
" Here " Sabi ni noreen as she handed him her watch. " Look closely " Sabi ni Ezra, he loosed the lock ,yung pang adjust ng oras at tinigil nya sa 12:30.
" 12:30? " Tanong ni Noreen.
" I'll tell you something tragic " Sabi ni Ezra. " The clock can signify two persons, yung isa, yung long hand at ang short hand" Sabi ni Ezra. " Okay, and then?"Sabi ni Noreen.
" When the clock stops at twelve thirty, total opposite ang dalawang kamay at kubg gagalaw man sila ,opposite directions and they will not meet again " Sabi ni Ezra. " It signifies two persons who broke up as the clock broke" He said.
" as the clock broke" Sabi ni Noreen kasabay ni Ezra.
7.) Oddly poetic...
" Pero..." Sabi ni Ezra, adjusting the clock moving both of the hands. " Kapag gumana ulit, magkikita din sila sa tamang panahon " He said.
" Magiging busy na ako ngayong week, nag flood ang exams and requirements" Sabi ni Ezekiel.
" Ahh, ako din. School stuff plus guild stuff "'Sabi ni Noreen.
" Will you be alright?...without me" Ezra asked. Noreen looked at him, puzzled.
" Without you?" She asked. What does he mean?
" Baka nakasimangot ka pag uwi mo, madedepress ka nyan kaya, wag ka nang malungkot ahh" Sabi ni Ezra, he looked straight into noreen's eyes.
Noreen smiled then she nodded.
-
They seperated, temporarily. Ezra has to study for a major exam tapos si Noreen naman bumalik sa guild para mag trabaho, pero pag dating nya doon napahiga nalang sya sa sofa sa sobrang sakit ng katawan nya. Nandun si Aries, Lisa, at Venie. Lisa and Venie were calculating the revenue while aries is arranging the copies and checking for defects.
" Ano ang mas masakit sa friend zone?" Biglang sinabi ni Noreen , she was staring at the ceiling. Naisip nya lang yun, hindi nya sinasadya masabi ng malakas, it caused the three to stop what they're doing and glance at noreen.
" Maliban sa walang pagkain at walang internet, ano ang pinagdadaanan mo nanaman?" Sabi ni Lisa. She knows her friend very well, Noreen who usually don't speak her mind won't blurt out something like that.
" Ma stuck lang naman sa little sister zone..." Sabi ni Noreen as she shut her eyes.
" Oh no...." Sabi ni Lisa, nilapitan nya si noreen at hinimas ang ulo nya as comfort, she pouted as she stared at the poor tired thing. " What is he like noreen?" Lisa asked, she was always curious about Ezekiel Yang.
" He's incredibly intelligent, he 's nice...caring...he's athletic...he can be poetic...he exceeded my expectations but he also have flaws...beautiful flaws" Sabi ni Noreen. " He's adorable but he has a reverse charm, musculine body...lush voice...Aries, kasalanan mo to lahat " Sabi ni Noreen, who's eyes were closed. Her tone is dead, alam mong physically fatigued na sya.
" Naka ilang rounds ka ?" Aries asked smiling.
" Limang jog...tatlong lakad...namamatay na ako " Sabi ni Noreen. Bigla syang napadilat at napabangon. " Bakit mo alam?" Sabi Noreen kay Aries, napalingon naman sila ngayon kay Aries.
" I'm a level 5 guilder, updated ako sa lahat " He grinned as he tied the last set of magazines. " You sold 172 copies while the other group sold 202 copies " Sabi ni Aries.
" I already accepted my faith, I don't care anymore...gusto ko nalang matulog" Sabi ni Noreen, as she shifted to the side facing the head part of the old sofa.
" Don't give up noreen there are 2,738 students here " Sabi ni Aries. " There is more to go " Sabi ni Aries.
Hindi na sumagot si noreen as she fell asleep, pero guminhawa pakiramdam nya sa sinabi ni Aries. She was happy, her day ended great and she hopes that it will happen again. Her mind was corrupted by the image of Ezra smiling at her.
Days passed at wala syang narinig kay Ezra at hindi din sila nagkakatagpo sa school, they were both busy. Ezra was busy doing his best, putting all his effort sa pag aaral, he was determined to fix his life at alisin na ang mga pagkakamali nya sa nakaraan.
Noreen, noreen was always passionate with writing and she was thought to do everything she can in everything that she does. To do your best in everything you do because sometimes, it'll be the last time you do it.
Christmas break is coming soon, pero mas malapit na ang last day ng pag tally and the promotion ceremony. Tomorrow marks the last day and the fate of noreen's group with the promotion.
" How's it going?" Asked mark who paid a visit sa booth nila noreen.
" Ikaw pogi ka, Mag benta ka sa basketball court madami nanonood doon!" Sabi ni Aries na nag kukuririit na. Napatingin nalang si Lisa at Noreen kay Aries, Mark was at shock. " Kakadating ko lang at kakaalis ko palang sa lugar na yun at papabalikin mo na ako ulit doon?" Sabi ni Mark.
" Samahan nalang kita " Noreen offered.
" Actually, yun ang balak ko ,hiramin muna bestfriend ko ,pwede ba?" Mark asked Aries.
" Sige na, go ahead " Sabi ng stressed na Aries.
-
They both went for ice cream, Mark was holding five copies and noreen was carrying three copies.
" Ezekiel Yang " Sabi ni Mark.
" Yep " Sabi ni Noreen.
Mark never liked Ezekiel Yang as he was deceived by his prejudice. Mark has always been sensitive when it comes to love, dahil sincere sya masyado na tao and he doesn't like liars.
" Even though I don't like him, I have to admit...he achieved a lot and he's smart, nakakasabay ko sya mag jog minsan sa oval " Sabi ni Mark.
Noreen felt a bit nervous at medyo nag retreat ang kinakain nya na ice cream dahil bigla nya naalala na ayaw nga pala ni mark si Ezra para kay Noreen.
" Ahhh...talaga?" Yun nalang ang nasabi ni noreen as nag salad na ang phrases sa utak nya.
" Hmm, i think he's okay...people change, right?" Sabi ni mark. Noreen smiled at him as she missed her bestfriend even more. " Oo naman" Sabi ni noreen.
Mark stopped walking and he looked at noreen, smiling. " Kilala ko yang ngiti na yan" Sabi ni Noreen.
" Eh?" Sabi ni Noreen.
" You like him!" Mark teased, pinching noreen's cheek hard causing it to redden.
" Aray!" Noreen complained. She ended up blushing as mark won't stop smiling at her, ang ngiting pang asar ni mark.
" Nakita ko kayo nakaraan, ang saya saya nyong dalawa...at alam kong totoo yun " Sabi ni Mark.
Noreen smiled. " I do like him, he's a nice guy kaso... Parang nya daw akong kapatid " Sabi ni Noreen.
" Ay!" Mark's expression changed. " Mahirap yan, Parang tayo , there is a boundary...naglagay sya ng boundary , A wall...a fence, Good luck sayo " Sabi ni Mark.
" Okay lang naman saakin . I'm not expecting anything...It's just admiration " Sabi ni Noreen.
" That's good " Sabi ni Mark.
" Akala ko ba ayaw mo sa kanya bakit parang okay na sya sayo?" Noreen asked.
" You make him happy...and he makes you happy " Mark smiled at her. " Hindi pa ba sapat yun?" Sabi ni Mark. Mark has always been the romantic guy that has a total of 206 romantic bones in his body.
" But, you make me happy and you are my bestfriend, and I love you and you love me tapos si Lisa at aries din, pati na din si julious and many more...baka ganun din tingin nya saakin " Sabi ni Noreen.
" You...have a point pero, Maghintay tayo noreen " Sabi ni Mark.
" And then I was blessed with a hopeless romantic as a bestfriend " Sabi ni Noreen.
-
The day passed and everyone was busy, there were exams , requirements and events. The team went to sleep at 5:00 a.m. at the guild.
There is a huge difference between the sales.
Junior's team sold 1,289 copies while Noreen sold 1,097 copies. Pero kahit, ganun hindi padin sila susuko, Today was the last day.
Nagising na ang members sa team, yung iba nag kakape, ang iba nag rereview, Noreen was the last person to wake up.
" Good morning bestie " Sabi ni Lisa sa kanya ,
Ang eyebags ni lisa lumala na, she was up early to review.
" May exam ako mamayang 10 " Sabi ni Noreen as she sneaked a yawn.
" God bless you, ako mamaya pang 1" Sabi ni Lisa. " Si Julie nagbabantay sa booth, he's finished with all his exams "
" Anong oras na ba?" Noreen asked trying to locate her phone on the couch.
" It's 8:37 a.m. " Sabi ni Lisa who checked her phone that's beside her book.
" OH...OHH NO OMYGOD LISA!!!" Noreen yelled.
Nagising ang puso at diwa ng naantok na Lisa. " Bakit? Bakit?" Sabi ng kinakabahan na lIsa, nilagay nya isang kamay nya sa dibdib nya dahil sumakit dibdib nya.
" Si Kuya... nandito na sya..." Sabi ni Noreen.
Reen...Reen I will be visiting Alestair by 9 a.m. Nasaan ka palangga?
Text ni N.
-
A familiar scent filled the air of the university, The sound the the motorcycle and the aura that sent a mixture of light and darkness in the school grounds.
Alam mong nandyan si N Lachica , dahil ang presence nya ay katumbas ng rock music.
Lahat ng ulo nag turn sa pagbalik ng prince, he was the face of the University and he's returned.
He's the youngest successful man in the business world, he is the Prince of the business world. Every lady wants a piece of him, he has that boyfriend feel that makes you want to have him kaso nga lang, Kay Maharlika Go na sya.
He was alone, he was riding his Ducati with his helmet that matched his leather jacket.
He stopped at the lobby, followed by five other guys.
The first guy was Yong Junhyung, he's the second tallest among the group, he has his own entertainment companya and he's a composer. He is known for always looking refreshing like a citrus fruit.
The second guy was, was Jang hyunseung, he's the prettier than you, kahit anong gawin mo mas maganda sya sayo, He's studying in Law School, at hindi nila yun inakala kay Hyunseung dahil meron syang 4D na personality.
The third one, Klaud Hwang , The handsome guy, he's an engineering student and he's at his 5th year with Fred. He's very polite and he's head over heels kay balm, he's the tallest member.
The fourth guy ,Fred who is rather short, he's very bright and witty. He's the sunshine of the group, always wearing a bright smile that can light up the whole University.
The last one, Our verynown Ezekiel Yang the man of reverse charms. He's cunning and quick witted. Behind the strong personality is a sweet guy, Makulit talaga sya pero nawala yun simula nung nag Nursing school sya. He's very close to N, and nung highshool nila napapagkamalan silang Mag ama sa closeness nila.
They took their helmets off, people gathered around them, They're back.
The group that almost burned the University back in their freshman year. That group that can make you sigh or make your ovaries explode.
Noreen was there aswell, napansin nya na matching ang clothes ng anim na lalake, naka face palm sya sa loob loob nya, they looked like a boy band.
" Kuya !" She hugged her brother tight, tumaloj sya sa kuya nya and mahigpit din syang niyakap ng kuya nya. Napaiyak na si noreen dahil ang tagal.
" shhh shh wag iiyak " Sabi ni N, He was smiling as he wiped of noree's tears. " Wahh, Kapatid ko ba to?" He teased.
Sinuntok sya ni noreen, habang naiiyak padin sya at niyakap nya ulitkuya nya, the others memebers were touched and they were smiling at the two.
" Ang tagal mong nawala " Sabi ni Noreen, sabay bitaw sa kuya nya at pinunasan ang luha nya. " I know, pero nandito na ako ulit and guess what? I saved everything our parents worked hard for at dahil dyan! Free lunch for everybody!" Sabi ni N, the students cheered and rushed to the cafeteria, others stayed to to shake hands with the Hero N.
" Hmm" Sabi ni N kay Noreen.
" Bakit?" Noreen sniffed, she stopped crying, maga na mga mata nya at namumula na mukha nya.
" 2 days... 2 days ka nang hindi naliligo" Sabi ni N kay noreen. Noreen shhd him and he laughed. " So, may gagawin ka pa ba? Me and the boys will tour around the University " Sabi ni N.
" I have a test " Noreen smiled, hindi padin sya makapaniwala na nakauwi na kuya nya, she hugged him again.
" Namiss ka nyang sobra " Sabi ni Ezra, noreedn was shocked. Ezra, is talking about feelings? Missing someone? Napabitaw si noreen sa kuya nya, while N put his arm around noreen's shoulder. " Haha, Oo nga kaso busy ang kuya mo kaya sabi ko kay Ezra bantayan ka " Sabi ni N.
Nagkatinginan si Fred at Klaud and they communicated telephatically, not really sure kung nag kakaintindihan silang dalawa but they were thinking the same thing Kaya pala lagi silang magkasama...
Bantayan ako ni Ezra? Noreen thought.
" Ano, tara na? May exam pa kapatid ko eh, we'll meet up later with Lika, Anong oras ka mamatapos?" N asked Noreen.
" Around twelve " Sabi ni Noreen.
" Perfect, See you at twelve reen reen " Sabi ni N, he smiled at his sister and messed her already messy hair, like what Ezra does.
It gave Noreen goosebumps, So he really did his brother duties on me kasi kuya asked him to...
" Sige po, Exam lang po ako bye!" Noreen smiled and waved goodbye to the six dashing boys.
" Bye noreen!" The six boys waved back, kahit si Ezra, it made noreen happier.
Noreen walked fast away from the six boys, she looked back, She saw how close they were. N gave Ezra a piggy back ride as they walk around , he looked like a child he was smiling.
8.) He can act like a child sometimes...