Art of Serendipity

43

"Congratulations, love!" masayang bati ko kay Levi at patalong pumunta sa kaniya.

It's his graduation today and we're here in Villamoran University. Levi is dashing with his black toga while holding his mortarboard and diploma. Ako at ang daddy niya lang ang nandito. His Mom is in the hospital and his sister is obviously, nasa ibang bansa but Levi has a graduation party tonight although he doesn't want that, pinilit pa rin ng mga magulang niya. Levi just wants a simple celebration, but I guess, hindi ito palalampasin ng mga magulang niya. This is only once in a lifetime!

He smiled at me. Agad namang pumulupot ang braso niya sa akin. "I got latin awards. What are my rewards, miss?"

Are? Kailangan talaga "are"? Marami?

Tumawa ako. "May awards na nga, gusto pa ng rewards. Ayos ka, sir, ah?"

His mouth twitched. "Of course."

Tinaas niya pa ang diploma at mortarboard niya pagkatapos ay ibinigay sa akin. Hinawakan ko naman ito habang siya ay lumapit na sa daddy niya na kanina pa pala nakatingin sa amin at nakangiti. Mabuti na rin pala na daddy niya ang narito ngayon, hindi ko alam kung paano ako makakatingin ng maayos sa Mommy niya ngayong alam ko na ayaw naman niya sa akin. Hindi ko na alam kung paano ko patutunguhan ng maayos ang mommy niya.

I cannot help but to overthink things. Should I make myself a med student? Ah, nevermind. I should not think about it!

Pagkalapit ni Levi sa akin ay kinuha niya ang mga dala ko. I brought my DSLR to take pictures, I already did while he's in his procession and when he climbs up to the stage. Sobrang gwapo ng boyfriend ko, at lalo pa siyang gumwapo ngayon unti-unting nafu-fullfil ang pangarap niya.

"Picture tayo!" Itinaas ko ang Camera at itinutok sa amin pero bago ko pa man din mapindot ay may tumawag na kay Levi.

Nilingon naming dalawa ni Levi ang tumawag, and I saw a fine woman wearing the same thing Levi's wearinb. Oh, I know her… Is that Kate? 'Yong fine arts student na humalik sa pisngi ni Levi dati? Oh well, she really is. I forgot, they are blockmates so it's her graduation too.

"Levi, congrats!" masayang ani ni Kate at yumakap pa sa boyfriend ko. Lumayo naman ako ng bahagya dahil nakakahiya naman, hindi pa yata ako nakitang narito sa tabi niya.

I mean… pwede naman sigurong magpaalam siya, ano? Thank, God at nauna nang kumalas si Levi sa yakap matapos ang halos tatlong segundo.

"Congrats, too," si Levi pagkakakalas sa yakap. Hindi naman inalis ni Kate ang pagkakapatong ng kamay niya sa balikat ni Levi.

Levi glanced at me, but I just smiled and nodded. I also want him to take his time with his friends and blockmates here and if Kate is one of them, then it's okay with me. Sayang nga lang at wala si Alastrid, they are best of friends but Alas is busy so I just wonder if he already called his bestfriend to congratulate him.

I winced when the girl tried to pull Levi's arm. "Let's take a picture together!"

Levi's charisma is no joke. He can make a mess with girls even if he did not do anything. Really, Levi? What's the secret?

Levi laughed. "Wait, let me ask my girlfriend first," and then he walked towards me.

"Huh?" I looked at him as he held my hand. "You can bond with your friends. It's okay with me."

"Oh, hi? You're Levi's girlfriend?" pag-singit ni Kate. Tsk, kanina pa 'to, ah?

I smiled a bit. Hindi ba obvious? "Obviously."

She laughed mockingly. "I thought he was just kidding when he told me that."

Now you know that he's not.

"Son, your Mom is already at home. Let's go?" Tito Leonardo suddenly approached us.

"Hello, tito!" pagbati naman nitong babae sa harap namin. Levi's Dad greeted her too and then their conversation went on.

I tiptoed to whisper at Levi. "Seriously? May gusto sa 'yo 'yang si Kate, tama? Halata, eh."

He scoffed. "So?"

So, he knew?

I just rolled my eyes. "Psh."

We took pictures before we leave but in the middle of the ride, the receptionist in our main hotel called me. My eyes narrowed while looking at my screen. Bakit ako tinatawagan nito?

"I will just answer this..." I whispered to Levi. I saw him nodded lazily, ang kamay niya ay nakapatong sa hita ko. Bumaling akong muli sa phone ko. "Hello?"

[Hello, ma'am. I'm sorry to interrupt you but Mrs. Vegas is here and she said that she wants to see you] the receptionist informed me.

Napakunot pa lalo ang noo ko. Parang may kung anong masamang hangin ang hatid ng balitang iyon. I suddenly felt bitter. Si Tita Donna? What's her problem with me now?

"Tell her that I'm busy, please," I said coldly.

[Okay, Ma'am. Please, hold on...]

I sighed. Levi noticed that so he looked me, his eyes were asking but I just signaled 'wait'.

[Ma'am, she said that you will talk about important things... Can I talk to her, instead?] I suddenly heard Tita Donna's voice. I almost rolled my eyes. [Hello, my dear, Miles. Can you come over here? We will talk.]

"We have nothing to talk about. So, would you please leave and don't bother the people there," galit kong saad. Hanggang ngayon, nang-gagalaiti pa rin ako sa kaniya. Ano naman kayang basura ang pag-uusapan namin? Really? Is she going to cause a scene again?

[I'll leave once I talk to you. This is just going to be quick. I'm not commanding you, okay? I'm asking this as your second mother so please, anak?]

"Second mother, my foot," bulong ko at napa-awang pa ang labi ko, muntik na matawa. "I'm sorry but I think you called the wrong daughter you are talking about."

Namataan ko ang pag-angat ng tingin ng Daddy ni Levi. I almost forgot that they are still here. I tried to calm myself but my fist clenched spontaneously.

[Just please come here and talk to me. I promise, I'll be good. I'll wait] her voice is a bit hopeful.

I sighed heavily before hanging up the call. Naramdaman ko naman ang paghawak ni Levi sa kamay ko kaya medyo kumalma na nga ako. Dapat kumalma ako dahil narito si Tito Leonardo, my actions should be limited. Nakakahiya naman na ganoon pa ang naging reaksyon ko. I cannot just really stop myself from being this mad to Tita Donna.

"Is there something wrong, love?" Levi asked softly.

I pursed my lips. I don't want to tell him because his father might hear me. Kilala niya si Tita Donna and he doesn't know about our problem. I don't want him to think about that.

"I have to go to our hotel. Habol na lang ako sa party mo. Is it okay?"

He shifted his weight and stared at me thoroughly. "I will come with you."

Agad-agad ang iling ko. It's his celebration and he must be happy ang celebrating. Problema lang ang dala ko sa kaniya ngayong dapat ay masaya siya. I don't want to be a burden, especially, at this moment.

"But you have your party. Don't worry, it will be quick, I am sure. Pupunta agad ako sa bahay niyo."

"Then I'll come with you kung mabilis lang pala," pagpupumilit niya pa.

I smiled. "No, it's okay. Really. Wala namang problema, e. I'll just check something. Kailangan ka sa party mo. Party mo 'yon tapos wala ka?"

I don't think I can convince him that there is no problem, from how I sounded earlier but no way I can let him come with me. Wala naman sigurong gagawing masama si Tita Donna and besides, kapag nalaman ng Mommy niya na wala si Levi dahil sa akin, baka lalong madagdagan ang dahilan para ayawan niya ako. I don't want that to happen.

He sighed. Sa huli, napilit ko rin siya. His Dad also insisted to drop me by our hotel, I no longer complain about that. Nang makalabas sa kotse ay lumabas din si Levi.

"Message me if something went wrong or even if not, message me still. Ako mismo ang susundo sa 'yo kapag tapos ka na, get it?" he said in a very authorative tone but I don't know why it sounded so sweet for me.

Tumango ako. "Enjoy your party, 'kay? I'll message you. See you later."

He glanced at our hotel building before kissing my forehead. Pumasok na siya sa kotse nila and this time, doon na siya tumabi sa Daddy niya. Kanina kasi ay hindi niya ako hinayaang mag-isa sa backseat, nagmukha tuloy driver namin ang dad ni Levi.

I waved my hand more before they vanish. Nawala agad ang ngiti ko dahil alam kong haharap na naman ako sa pinaka-ayaw kong tao sa mundo. A year or two had passed already but I am still a hundrend and one percent mad at her for being disrespectful with my mom inside our home and yet, she still has the audacity to come here and f*cking talk to me? I'm just hoping that I won't suddenly slap her or what. I might not control myself from saying things that are below the belt.

~~~