LOVE IN HATE

CHAPTER 6 - PART II

CHAPTER 6 – PART 2

“I’m sorry for turning down your offer.” Sabi ni Max nang maiwan sila ni Aurora.

“It’s okay.” Sabay iling nito. “Let me see you off then.” Nagtungo ito agad sa may pintuan.

“No need. You better take your rest.”

Tinaasan siya nito ng kilay. “Ade, I’m sending Max downstairs.” Tugon nito sa kaibigan na nasa kusina. Hindi nawawala ang tingin nito sa kanya.

“Okay.” Sagot ni Ade na medyo kulong ang boses.

May katigasan din ng ulo itong si Aurora.

“I insist. Let’s go.” Nagpatiuna na itong lumabas. He sighed in his childhood friend’s stubbornness and followed her out the door.

Tulak ulit ni Max ang trolley at agad sila nakagamit ng elevator. Inuna niya ang tinutulak bago sila pumasok. He was thankful that there’s a trolley between them.

“Why didn’t you get a condominium or an apartment at least?” His curious question. Nakakapanibago sa kanya na mas pinili nitong manatili sa ganoong lugar.

She shrugged her shoulders. “University feels. I wanna know what an ordinary university student would be like.” Then she turned her head to him. “As ordinary as it can be for people like us.”

He nodded. He got her point. “Though the car gave it away.” Komento niya. She wanted to fit in but her Rolls Royce were too dazzling to anyone’s eyes. To the common people.

She burst out laughing. Her merry voice was echoing inside the lift. Bumaling ito sa kanya while shaking her head. “Of course, I won’t deny myself a little luxury.” Napapatawa pa rin ito.

He can’t resist giving a smile sa tugon nito.

“Gift ni papa. It would be such a waste to leave it back home.”

“You’re right.” He agreed.

Nakarating na din sila sa baba at nilagay ni Max sa gilid ang trolley. Tuloy-tuloy na sila sa paglabas. Hindi na alintana ang mga matang nakasunod sa kilos nila.

They stopped in front of his car. Tumayo ng tuwid si Max at hinarap ng maayos si Aurora. He exhaled a breath. “I'm sorry about earlier.” Umpisa niya.

Aurora looked at him calmly. “About what? What I’ve heard from your friend or about the kiss?” She directly asked.

“Especially the kiss.” Agad niyang sagot.

She scrunched up her eyebrow as she looked at him questioningly. “Are you, really?” There’s haughtiness in her tone. Nakahalukipkip pa ito.

“Yes.” No. Damn it. Salungat ng utak niya.

Aurora held his gaze. “What are you talking about? I don’t remember it happening.” Saka ito nag iwas ng tingin.

Nagulat siya sa sinabi nito. So that’s it? Hindi niya alam kung maiinsulto ba siya sa naging tugon nito. Pero mas mabuti ngang kalimutan na yun.

“Anyway, what time do you want to start the tour tomorrow?” Pag iiba niya ng usapan.

“Can we meet at 9:00? Ade’s class starts at 10:00, mine is at 11:00. Are you free in those period?”

“No problem. My class starts at 12:00.”

“Great. Let's meet at the school entrance?”

“Sure. Or maybe at the parking lot. I’ll find you there easily.”

“Okay.”

“Is your car going to be safe here?” Halos lahat kasi napapatingin sa kanila. At baka may magtangka sa kotse nito. Nakabalandra lang kasi sa gilid ng daan. Not all students had their own car kaya mahahalata talaga ang estado ni Aurora sa buhay kahit na estudyante palang.

Inilibot ni Aurora ang kanyang paningin. Sinalubong ang lahat ng mga matang kanina pa nasa kanilang direksyon. Is she that out of place? Tumingin siya sa mga poste at sa entrance ng building. “There are CCTVs around. Whoever dares, well, it would be my pleasure to set an example.” She gave a sweet smile with venom in her words. Nagkibit-balikat pa siya.

Max was sure that his family knew about this and that is one of the reasons why they told him to look out for her.

“You could have chosen a much safer place, though.” He can’t stop blurting it out.

Her eyes were on him again. “Papa suddenly enrolled me in here. I wanted to go to the U.S. So, I made a deal to attend his school of choice on the condition that I could choose my own place. And what I wanted as a university student.”

He understands now. But he can’t shake the feeling that everything won’t be smooth sailing for her. Especially since she had that arrogant air about her. That attitude could bring her trouble. It’s a good thing she had Ade. At least she won’t be alone in this place.

“Again, thank you for today, Max.” She gave him a side look with a lip curved up into a smile.

“See you tomorrow then, Aurora.” He activated his car and opened the driver side door.

“Take care on your way.” Umatras na siya at tiningnan itong pumasok na sa kotse. Binaba nito ang bintana.

“Take a rest.” Bilin nito. Tumango lang siya at pinatakbo na ng binata ang kotse.

She was left alone. Napabitaw siya ng mabigat na hininga. Ngayon lang siya nakahinga ng maluwag. She didn’t know she was that tensed around him.

Umakyat na siya pabalik sa kwarto at nakita niya si Ade na nag seset-up ng sewing machines nito sa long table. Nakita niyang inalis na din nito ang mga nakabalot na papel sa ibang furnitures. Nakasarado na ang balkonahe pati ang kurtina niyon.

She took off her boots at nagpalit ng tsinelas. Gusto na din niyang magshower para makapagpalit na ng damit at makahiga.

“Signorina, matanong ko lang. May gusto ka na ba kay Max?” Ade started.

She groaned, knowing this was coming. “I don’t know.” Hindi naman kasi niya talaga alam.

“Para kasing may nagbago sa turingan niyo.” Pagpapatuloy pa ng kaibigan niya.

“Not now, Ade. By the way, we’ll meet Max outside school tomorrow at 9:00. Para ma tour niya tayo.” Kumuha na siya ng damit sa wardrobe.

“Okay. Pero 11:00 pa klase mo.”

“I would just hang around campus then, before my class starts. Don’t worry about me.” Pumasok na siya ng banyo at iniwan si Ade sa pag-aayos.

Habang nasa banyo ang kaibigan ay inayos na niya ang lahat ng kagamitan niya pati ang kay Aurora. She even vacuumed the floor para mag tsinelas na sila sa loob. May shoe cabinet sa gilid ng pinto at doon niya nilagay lahat ng footware nila. Kahit ang mga laman ng wardrobe ay inayos niya sa pagkakahanger. She put the books on the hanging shelves also.

The night passes by at maaga na silang nahiga matapos lahat ng paghahanda nila para sa unang araw sa univeristy. Pero napapaisip si Aurora what would happen tomorrow sa muli nilang pagkikita ng kababata. This day is already full of surprises. The sudden sense of attraction na pakiramdam niya ay hindi lang siya ang nakaramdam non. She’ll just see what could happen in the future then. Nakatulog na din siya sa kakaisip.