Storms and Waves

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

My hunch was right.

“Sino ba ‘yong pogi na sinabi mo?" pangungulit sa'kin ni Cheise.

That was the first thing that happened to me this morning. Kinukulit niya ako kung ano ang pangalan ng lalaking nagbalik ng wallet ko. Hindi niya ako tinatantanan.

As usual, we went to the canteen and bought snacks for us during our break time. Umupo din kaming dalawa sa vacant na mga upuan at nilagay ang mga pagkain namin sa mesa.

"Edeine, sino nga ‘yong pogi? Anong pangalan niya? Ano ang course niya? From what department is he from? Do you know where he lives?” she continued asking me as if it was the most important thing that she should pay attention to.

I shook my head. "Hindi ko alam ang pangalan niya kasi hindi ko naman tinanong, Cheise.”

"Boring mo naman. Sana kumandong ka kaagad sa kanya kahapon noong nilapitan ka niya", reklamo niya na hindi ko na pinansin at pinag-krus pa ang mga kamay.

It was true though. I don't have any idea who the guy was yesterday… his name, his course, department, or anything that I basically need to know.

I ate my snacks peacefully. Cheise still continued to talk to me, sharing how her day went by yesterday because of one particular event that happened.

She shared that she met her crush yesterday when she was in the school’s speech lab. They even both talked for a few minutes before she headed back to her parent's house.

Kinikilig pa din siya habang kinukuwento niya na tinanong siya nito. Dahil hindi naman magkakakilala, pinakilala nila ang sarili nila at nagulat si Cheise nang malaman na malapit lang bahay ng crush niya sa bahay nila. May plano na nga daw siya na bisitahin ang lalaki sa bahay nila.

She's so eager to know him more. She doesn't even know if that guy would soon reciprocate her feelings for him… or not.

“But seriously, do you like him?" dagdag pa nito na ikinagulat ko.

I wasn't sure if I do like the guy, but I wasn't sure that I don't have a crush on him either. Besides, he's a total stranger to me even if he's studying here.

I stared at Cheise, trying to think of an honest answer. “I don't know… I guess… but I'm more focused on my studies now. I don't want to entertain any guys, Cheise." I took a deep breath and looked away.

My mind and my heart are crashing against each other after that accident. But I have goals to accomplish first. Maybe someday.

Maybe… when things are smooth.

Just maybe, one day, I'll take a risk for love.

No more chasing. Real love isn't like that.

It patiently takes its time and waits for the right moment to happen.

Bumalik na kaming dalawa sa mga classrooms namin. Pagpasok ko sa room 306, dumating din ang instructor namin at nagbigay lang ng quiz. Natapos din naman kaagad.

"Class dismissed”, said our instructor in the Contemporary World course. She then went out of our classroom. My classmates were beaming in happiness because the challenge had been completed.

May last period pa kami ngayon. I just keep myself busy reading the books I borrowed yesterday from the School Library. That’s always been my hobby, and I love doing it every single day.

Whenever I'm studying, my mind would go quiet… always so soothing… so peaceful. I felt like I'm not just consuming information; I'm entering a world where I can feel a sense of comfort.

It felt good to spend my vacant time like this. It would always be a home to me. But if I want to be surrounded by surroundings, I’d take some time to have a getaway with myself or with only a few people. Good diversions should be practiced to not get pressured too much.

And another thing, I also want to have someone who can spend its time with me in the library or somewhere quiet to get lost in books.

Booktok? Not yet.

Library Date? Absolutely yes.

My phone suddenly rang. I picked it up and saw that Cheise had just sent me a new message.

I clicked it on. Suddenly, I couldn't move my body. It felt like I was being hypnotized by some unknown energy.

Cheese na walang keso 🧀:

Ameya Edeine Cadavez! Walang hiya ka, hindi mo sinabi na ‘yong lalaking nagbalik ng wallet mo ay ang isa sa mga ex kong crush huhuhuhuhu

Natatawa ako sa sinabi nito.

Right. Cheise has a lot of crushes before, and she haven't told me yet who were they. Ni hindi ko nga alam na ‘yong mga nagkakagusto sakin ay mga crush niya dati na kinahuhumalingan niya.

Eden na may cheesemess 🍰:

Anong hindi sinabi? Gaga ka ba? Hindi ko nga alam ang name niya, duh 🙄. Hindi ko din alam na crush mo ‘yon dati kasi wala kang nababanggit sa'kin, bakla ka.

I rolled my eyes because of Cheise’s remarks. As soon as I hit the send button, I saw that there are ellipsis, indicating that she's typing her reply.

At hindi nga ako nagkamali.

Cheese na walang keso 🧀:

Bruhilda ka! Si Lucian ‘yon, 3rd year BS Psychology student dito sa university natin. Sikat ‘yon, eh. Hindi mo kilala? 😭

Huh? Bakit kailangan pa niyang umiyak gamit ang emoji?

What a comedian she is.

Eden na may cheesemess 🍰:

Hayst. Kakasabi ko lang na hindi ko nga siya kilala. Hindi ko din alam na sikat ang kung sinong Lucian ‘yon kasi bago lang ako dito, nitong first semester lang ako nag-enroll, ‘di ba?

I could imagine her sulking, which made me even more laugh.

I put my phone back on my arm chair because I'm reading a book. I don't want to be disturbed while I was wandering across the contents.

Dahil naka-silent mode ang phone ko, alam kong mag-vibrate parin ‘yon kapag tumawag siya o magbigay ng mensahe.

I continued reading my book as if I wasn't distracted by someone or maybe something just a few minutes ago. Somehow along the pages, I knew my heart was healed, my mind was quiet, and my soul was secured.

I grunted when I felt my phone buzz again. Cheise has just sent me three messages.

Cheese na walang keso 🧀:

Basta, si Lucian pala ‘yong mysterious guy na nagbalik ng wallet mo huhu pero nag-thank you ka naman siguro sa kaniya kahapon, ‘no? Sasabunutan talaga kita kung hindi, eh.

Cheese na walang keso 🧀:

Pero alam ko naman na nag-thank you ka kasi mabait Kang bruhilda ka, eh. Mana ka sakin, very thankful na tao sa mundo MWAHAHAHAHA. Anyways, may pera ba tayo diyan?

Cheese na walang keso 🧀:

Manghihiram sana ako kahit 100 pesos lang, Edeine hihi. Na-short lang ako sa pera ko kasi ang dami kong parcel na dumating. Manghihiram lang sana ako pamasahe ko, pero babayaran naman kita bukas. Tubuan mo na lang kahit magkano, ako na ang bahala sa bayad. Tinkyuuuuu, Your Honor! Ang bait mo talagang friend hihi :*

My brows furrowed. Aba, ang babaeng ‘to, mangungutang pa. Mayaman sila, tapos ngayon mangungutang pa sa'kin?

Eden na may cheesemess 🍰:

Ipapaalala ko lang, ha? Mas mayaman ka kesa sakin dahil isinilang kang may gintong kutsara sa bibig, Cheise. Ang sabihin mo lang ay tinatamad kang umuwi sa inyo at kumuha ng pera dahil natatakot ka sa Mama mong galit na galit sayo kapag may mga parcel ka na naman. 🙄

Kinuha ko ang pitaka ko at nakita kong 50 pesos na lang ang natira doon. Buong 50 pesos na lang talaga. Paano ko papahiramin ang isang ‘yon?

Imbes na hindi na ako mamroblema, nadagdagan pa tuloy.

I sighed deeply as I opened my GCash application. I still have a balance there. I forgot to count it, but I'm confident that it still has 5 digits.

Cheese na walang keso 🧀:

Nadali mo talaga ako, BFF. Love youuuuu

Eden na may cheesemess 🍰:

Give me your GCash number. I'll send the money you requested. ASAP.

I thought I'd wait for a few minutes before she replied. But no. She replied immediately as if she was running out of time or she was in some sort of horror film.

Babaeng ‘to. Pera talaga.

Cheese na walang keso 🧀:

Thank you so much, Your Honor! Wala munang “Objection" kasi mabait ka ngayon hahahaha.

I rolled my eyes, pretending she could see from the screen.

I transferred 100.00 into her GCash account. No delay. No interference.

Eden na may cheesemess 🍰:

Babayaran mo pa ako. Huwag kang magpakasaya dahil dadagdagan ko ng 2% na interest ang utang mo kapag hindi ka pa makapagbayad sa'kin within this month.

Cheese na walang keso 🧀:

Hahahahahaha oo na, as if naman makatulog ka na may hindi nakapagbayad sa ‘yo, eh. Babayaran kita, BFF, pa-kiss ako sa cheeks bukas ;))

Eden na may cheesemess 🍰:

Iwww, ayoko nga. Pa-libre ako bukas ng dalawang siomai rice, 50 nalang ang pera ko sa wallet.

The latter replied with a happy face. I already turned off my phone and didn't bother to text her anymore.

This is our friendship. This is the most funniest but sweetest connection I've ever had.

Ganito kaming dalawa ni Cheise— matatalas ang dila, nakikipagbiruan, pero masaya. We choose to crack jokes but in a serious conversation. We choose happiness… just not in the most noticeable way. But in between our laughter, rolling eyes, brows furrowed, and in seriousness.

After some time, our next instructor stepped in and started giving handouts for our preliminary and midterm examination. He was kind to us, always uplifting the class when we're breaking down, and gentle toward us. Among all of our professors, he's the sweetest because he understood us.

In college, instructors or professors might not be the same. They have different opinions, ideas, traits, and attitudes. They don't follow the rules: “Be kind to your students. Be their companion while maintaining professionalism in teaching.”

But college professors— regardless of their attitudes— might uplift your spirit to study smart and work smarter. They might be your inspiration. They might fuel you to get up and be fearless. They might help you in your improvements.

They might be a terror for students. They might have an intimidating aura, but they have a big heart. They teach what they learned to share it with us.

They are generous— just not to be too much.

I gathered all my things, packed up my bag, and left the room. I rode in a tricycle, paid my fare, and in no time, I arrived at the apartment.

This day has exhausted me. I hope tomorrow will be calm, gentle, and productive.

I deserved to rest tonight. I've been occupied so much this week that I felt my body is weakening. My body is telling me that I'm not all right.

Dear Lord, let me have a peaceful rest tonight, for I am waiting for whatever tomorrow brings.