Chapter 1
"Daven asked me out tonight!"
Isinalampak ko ang earbuds sa tainga ko. Ayaw kong marinig ang mga kwento ni Iradessa, my ex's current fling. Sa katunayan ay wala akong pinapakinggan na music. Gusto ko lamang isipin nila na may pinapakinggan ako.
My professor for today's subject always comes late. Ibig sabihin ay kailangan ko pang magtiis ng ilang minuto sa pakikinig sa mga kwento ni Iradessa na sinasadya niyang iparinig sa akin. Bigla na lamang siyang napaatras at tinapon ang laman ng dalang bottled water sa akin.
"Ops, sorry." Her voice was teasing.
Napatayo ako at pinahid ang panyo sa sarili ko. My philosophy notes were soaking kaya naiinis na tinanggal ko ang suot na earbuds at hinarap siya.
"Ano ba ang problema mo?"
A twisted smile escaped her lips, but it was only for a while. She faced our classmates and gave them an apologetic look. "Did you see that? Nag-sorry naman ako, 'di ba, but she's still galit." She pouted her lips and it was very irksome.
One thing I don't like about her ay ang pagiging conyo. She flashed a pitiful look again and now my classmates are picking on me. And yep, she was the girl on my boyfriend— I mean ex-boyfriend's lap, almost three months ago. Daven broke up with me without valid reason at sila na ngayon ni Ira.
"Ang sama talaga ng ugali ng Violet na 'yan!"
"Oo nga! Baka galit siya kay Ira dahil kay Daven!"
I prevented myself to roll eyes when I heard their whispers. Nang muli kong tiningnan si Iradessa ay naka-smirk siya sa akin na tila ba sinasabing nanalo siya. I looked at her with an angry expression. Sumusobra na siya. The last time, she poured me an ice coffee and acted like it's an accident. The other day it was frappe. Now water? Ano ba talaga ang gusto niyang mangyari?
"Ang tanga mo na rin ano? Last time kape ang natapon mo, then frappe and now this?!" I can't help but burst. Pagod na akong magtimpi. I don't mind rescheduling this class kahit pa paborito ko ang prof namin dito kung ganito din naman lagi ang eksena namin ni Iradessa. And wow for myself! I was able to say what I wanted to say to her.
"What? Ilang sorry ba ang need mo?" She said, acting like she's the victim here. And it boiled my blood. Sa inis ko ang hinablot ko ang bottled water mula sa kanya at itinapon ang laman niyon sa mismong mukha niya. Oh's filled the room at matinding gulat naman ang reaksyon ni Iradessa at ng kanyang mga kampon. Maging ako ay nagulat sa sarili ko.
"How dare you!" She screamed and then slapped me in the face. The next thing I did shocked me. I grabbed her hair and pulled it. I am not the troublesome student but surprisingly today, I am! Nagsigawan naman ang mga kaklase namin lalo na at nanlaban na rin si Iradessa. She pulled my hair on different directions— no it wasn't just her. There were four pairs of hands that grabbed my hair.
It hurts like hell, but I didn't cry. Sa halip ay pinaglipat-lipat ko ang pagsabunot sa kanila samantalang panay pa rin ang sigawan ng iba naming kaklase. They were cheering and some were betting.
The pulling of hair and scratching of faces continued hanggang sa makarinig kami ng sigaw.
"STOP!"
We all stopped but Iradessa pulled my hair for the last time and gave me a victorious smile.
"I'm so disappointed with all of you! Lahat kayo, pumunta kayo sa guidance office! God, you're all grownups and you're acting like a child!" Wika ng propesor. "Go to the guidance office now!"
I throw them angry glares bago ko pinulot ang bag ko at naunang lumabas. Nang dumating kaming lahat sa guidance ay masasama pa rin ang tinging ibinabato ko sa kanila. My head hurts. It feels like every strand of my hair was plucked. Napaka-unfair naman kasi! There were eight hands pulling my hair!
Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin ng guidance counselor sa amin. She tapped her pen on her table while looking at us. "What happened Miss Dizon?"
"She started it—" pinutol ng guidance counselor ang sasabihin ni Iradessa.
"I'm asking Miss Dizon. Anong nangyari Violet? You're not this kind of student," wika niya sa akin.
"Iradessa slapped me," sagot ko at tinuro ang pisngi ko na malamang ay mamula-mula pa.
"Miss Ortega?"
"She splashed tubig on my face!" maarteng sagot nito.
"You did it to me first!"
"It was an accident!" sagot ni Iradessa. "Hindi ko naman iyon sinasadya ngunit bigla na lamang nagalit si Violet. She poured tubig on my face intentionally!"
"Is it true?" baling sa akin ng guidance counselor.
"Iyon ang totoo Ma'am," sabat ng tatlong kasama ni Iradessa.
"Violet, is that what happened?"
Huminga ako nang malalim at tumango. Sumabat ulit ang tatlong minion.
"See? Kasalanan ni Violet ang lahat!"
"Pero dahil iyon sinadya ni Iradessa na tapunan ako ng tubig!" I will never let them make another point. Sumosobra na sila, nananahimik lamang ako ngunit pinapakialaman nila ako. I cannot bear to remain silent about it anymore.
"At paano mo naman nasabi na sinasadya nga iyon ni Miss Ortega?" Tanong ng guidance counselor. "Did you see her plan it?"
"It's..." I closed my mouth. Mahirap paniwalaan kung sasabihin kong sinadya nga iyon ni Iradessa. But still I will try my luck. "This is not the first time she did it. Noong una ay tinapunan niya ako ng kape-"
"It was aksidente!"
"Then a frappe and now water?" I scowled at Iradessa.
A smile crossed the counselor's face. "You mean noong natapunan ka ng kape at frappe ay hindi ka nagalit ngunit ngayong tubig lang, nagalit ka?"
Tila nagbunyi ang reaksyon ng apat. Yes, I didn't react on the previous incident dahil tinimpi ko laman iyon. Who knows it would be the counselor's basis if I'm telling the truth or not? Hindi na lamang ako sumagot at nanatili na lamang nakayuko.
"Look, wala na kayo sa elementary at high school. Nasa kolehiyo na kayo, no more detention as disciplinary actions. At dahil nasa kolehiyo na kayo, you should be matured. But look what you did, you fight in the class? You know that there are community services for offenses like this or it could be suspension."
Sabay kaming napatango sa sinabi ng counselor. Yep, Athena University or AU has heavy grounds for discipline. At first offense, a simple community service. Second is suspension for one semester. Third will be dismissal from the university.
The community services will be a 3-week punishment. Kailangan naming maglinis sa paaralan, a thing which everyone hates lalo na at nasa kolehiyo na kami. But why didn't I think about it before bago ko hinablot si Iradessa? I answered my own question. She hit me in the face, and I didn't like it when someone hits me in the face.
Nang makalabas kami ng guidance ay ngumisi si Iradessa sa akin. "Freak."
Hindi ko na lamang siya pinansin at nilampasan na lamang. I don't know what's her problem with me. If it's about Daven, hello? She has Daven now. Ako na ang naging masama sa paningin sa lahat.
Dumeretso ako sa faculty office. Lumapit ako sa professor namin kanina.
"Yes, Miss Dizon?"
"Gusto ko po sanang magpa-reschedule."
She raised her eyes from the papers that she's reading to me. Inayos niya ang suot na salamin at tiningnan ako ng matiim.
"You are one of my favorite student, Violet Dizon. You know that."
"Thank you, Ma'am."
"And with that, I want the best for you. I'm sure that you're aware that if you change your schedule, you'll be on Mr. Demetrio's class."
Napabuntong-hininga ako. Ang totoo niyan ay hindi ko iyon naisip bago ako lumapit sa kanya. Sir Demetrio and I have a bad history that no one seemed to believe me— except Daven. Neo Demetrio texted me something that a professional shouldn't do to his students. Sinubukan kong magsumbong sa college ngunit ako pa ang lumabas na masama. Why? Sir Neo is a very handsome man, one with an angelic face and very popular to girls. Hard to believe he had threatened a student for some unethical things.
When almost no one believed me, I gave up on the idea of telling everyone about him and here comes Daven. Naniwala siya sa akin and he protected me from him and few months later ay naging kami at mula noon ay tinigilan na rin ako ni Sir Neo.
"Ma'am—" Hindi ko alam kung tama bang sabihin ko ang totoo. I don't want to be the talk of the school anymore.
"Alright, I know why you're hesitant. I've heard things about him at nang nalaman ko ang tungkol sa'yo, I knew that it's the reason and I am one of those few who believed you. That is why I am asking if you will be fine if you reschedule your class."
I didn't confirm or deny her conclusion. Sa tingin ko ay mas matitiis ko pa ang presensya ni Sir Demetrio kaysa sa kina Iradessa. Maybe I still cannot bear to hear her stories about what she and Daven planned. I loved Daven and up till now I still love him.
"I think I'll be fine." But I doubt it.
"Alright then. I will update your class schedule. Just show him your certificate of registration kapag papasok ka na sa klase niya," wika ni Ma'am ngunit nababakas pa rin ang pag-aalala sa mukha niya.
Nang lumabas ako ng faculty office ay dumiretso ako sa soccer field. Nakita ko roon ang kaibigan kong si Nikki at agad akong lumapit sa kanya.
"Violet, totoo ba ang narinig ko?" She immediately asked when I sat on the bench beside her. "Totoo bang nakipagsabunutan ka raw kina Iradessa at sa mga alalay niya?"
May pakpak talaga ang balita. I bet the whole college or even the whole campus already know about it.
"Yeah," sagot ko. There's no use of denying dahil paniguradong kakalat din iyon sa campus.
Hinawakan niya ang balikat ko at hinarap ako sa kanya. "Are you fine? May masakit ba sa'yo? Gusto mo ba ng resbak?"
Hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti. For a moment, I thought I'd say yes for her last question, but I didn't. "Masakit ang ulo ko. Pinagtulungan nila akong sabunutan."
Bigla na lang siyang napatayo at nakakuyom ang palad. "Nakakainis talaga 'yang mga babaeng iyan. Halika na, gantihan natin!"
I pulled her back to the bench. "Huwag na, baka mas lumala pa. Anyway, the physical pain cannot be compared to the pain I am feeling right now."
Napaupo si Nikki at nagtatakang tumingin sa akin. "Anong ibig mong sabihin?"
"She's dating Daven since summer."
"What?!" Muli siyang napatayo mula sa kanyang kinauupuan. "Sabi ko na nga ba! Sabi ko na nga ba! Ikaw Violet, sa simula pa lang sinabi ko na sa'yo na ayaw ko diyan sa Daven na 'yan! Sobrang yabang porket gwapo!"
"Nikki..."
"Oo na, oo na. Ipagtatanggol mo na naman 'yun." She made a face and looked away. Since day 1, hindi na niya gusto si Daven.
"I'll be in the same Philosophy class as you," nakangiting wika ko sa kanya. Nikki's eyes widened at napatayo.
"Really? Yes!" She started jumping and then she stopped and flashed a worried face. "I'm in Sir Neo's class. Okay lang ba 'yon sa'yo?"
"I think I'll be fine with that," sagot ko sa kanya. Ang totoo niyan ay hindi ko pa alam kung ano ang magiging kahihinatnan ko ngayong nasa klase na ako ni Sir Neo.
"Pero Violet!" She pinched my side and giggled. Ang pag-aalala niya kanina ay biglang napalitan, her reaction was more like excited. "Naalala mo 'yong palagi kong kinukwento sa'yo na kaklase ko?"
"Ah, the cold guy? Ano nga bang pangalan 'non?"
"Semper, ano ka ba? Bakit 'di mo maalala? Ayun siya oh!" Nikki pointed on the guy who was playing soccer. Nasa harap ito ng goal at nasa paanan naman ang bola. Unlike the other player, he was the only one who was wearing jeans instead of jersey shorts. Rubber shoes din ang suot nito sa halip na soccer shoes. He was wearing a black shirt, black jeans and black shoes. His back was facing us so I can clearly see his broad shoulders. His jet-black hair was dishevelled like he just gone from bed. Silently, I wished that I could see his face.
Just then, he turned from his back and looked at me. His eyes met mine and from the distance between us, I can really say that he is looking at me.
Wait, this is silly. Did he hear me silently wished that he will look at me? Bigla na lamang akong kinabahan at nagbaba ng tingin. I felt my hands became cold, now I am conscious if he is still looking at me or not.
"Nakita mo ba 'yon?" Tanong ni Nikki. "He looked at you! I'm so jealous!"
Mahinang hinampas ko si Nikki. "Ano ka ba, hindi siya sa akin tumitingin. Teka, bago ba siya rito?" Tanong ko. I'm in my sophomore year here in AU ngunit ito yata ang unang beses na nakita ko ang lalaking iyon.
"Ano ka ba, summer pa nang lumipat si Semper dito kaya naging magkaklase kami sa dalawang subject ko noong summer." Bigla na lamang niyang pinitik ang ilong ko. "'Yan kasi, daig mo pa ang kabayong may kalesa. Naka-limit ang paningin mo na para bang may nakaharang diyan sa mga mata mo. Puro ka kasi Daven."
Tama si Nikki. My life evolved all around Daven. I never got a chance to hang out with my friends because of Daven. Marami akong hindi nagagawa dahil kay Daven. Not that he restricted me to. I was just so focused on him.
Sa ikalawang pagkakataon ay sinulyapan ko ang nakatayong si Semper but he was not in the field anymore. I searched all over the field ngunit wala talaga siya roon. Ang naiwan na lamang ay ang mga soccer player na naglalaro. Nasaan na kaya siya?
When I turned my eyes back to Nikki, I almost screamed in great surprise. Semper was on her back, standing there with his coal black, lackluster eyes. His eyes were like black diamonds, screaming a different kind of beauty despite its dullness. But I have a feeling that those eyes weren't as what they seem to be. I know there is more to it. It was more like a maze, in which you will be lost if you stare into those gems. And before I can ever be lost, I looked away and tried to remain my composure.
I saw him stare back into my eyes as he stared into mine. I let out some air, fixed myself and told Nikki about his presence.
"Sa tingin ko ay may kailangan sa'yo ang kaklase mo, Nikks. He's behind—" My fingers which were about to point Semper on her back suspended in the air. Nilingon naman ni Nikki ang likuran niya, but Semper wasn't there.
"Sino?" Tumayo si Nikki at inilibot ang paningin sa likuran niya.
Right now, my sweats were cold and my hands shiver. I swear I saw Semper on her back, and we stared at each other. Muli kong iginala ang paningin ko and found him at the other side of the field. What is this?!
I swear he's behind Nikki! How can he cross the field in that span of time? Simple lang ang pagkakaupo niya sa bench na katapat namin. Hindi ko maaninag mula sa kinauupuan ko kung ano ang reaksyon ng mukha niya. Kinuha ko ang tumbler na katabi ni Nikki at sinaid ang laman niyon. I was at loss of words to say. If I've been hallucinating or not, that I do not know. But if I think rationally, it would seem that I am imagining things. Imposible kasing nasa likuran ni Nikki si Semper kanina and then in a blink of an eye, he is across the field.
"Hoy!" pukaw ni Nikki sa akin. "Sino?"
I blinked few times and look at her. I forced a smile and ask her to go somewhere. I guess I really been under stress lately kaya kung anu-ano na ang nakikita at pumapasok sa isip ko.
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