A Glimpse of What Could Be

Chapter 2

“Hoyyyy! Akin na ‘yang cellphone ko, pag ‘yan denilete mo lagot ka talaga sa’kin!” Sigaw ng babaeng nagtatakbo habang habol-habol ang isang lalaki.

I went to school early, today.

Dumaan muna akong cafeteria para bumili ng kape. Kaya nadaanan ko ang dalawang studyante na mukhang nagtatalo.

“Ayoko, ibibigay ko lang sa’yo ‘to kapag ilibre mo akong lunch, hehe!” Sagot nito habang patuloy na tumatakbo.

“Ang yaman-yaman n’yo kaya, pero ang kuripot mo!” She shout back and stopped while catching her breathe.

“Hey, you okay?” Tinapik n’ya ang balikat nito.

Biglang hinablot ng babae ang cellphone na hawak nito kaya napasimangot ang lalaki.

“Huy! Ang daya mo! Paki delete na nga, ang pangit n’yan, eh.” He crossed his arms and pouted.

“Kiss muna...” Pang-aasar ng babae.

Ang saya nila panuorin.

I kept walking until I reached the CAS building. I searched for a vacant bench so I can sit in front of our building while waiting for our first subject.

Wala pang masyadong students kaya maraming bakanteng tambayan.

“Uyy, aga, ah?” I saw a man approaching me.

It was Gray. “Good morning, Kath... Kanina ka pa?” He’s wearing a black slacks and a white tee that set his overall clean look.

“Hi. Good morning, Gray.” I smiled at him as he sat beside me. “Nahh, I just was just minutes early before you arrived.”

“Alright. Have you eaten breakfast?” He asked.

“I wasn’t able to prepare breakfast, so I just grab a coffee before I came here.” I answered as I sipped on my cup.

“Ahh, I see...” He chuckled. “Let’s eat after the first period, if it’s okay with you.” It didn’t sound like a question, rather, it sounds like an invitation? I don’t get it.

“Oh, okay?” I answered hesitantly.

“Naks...” He stood up as he fixed his hair. Tinignan n’ya ang kanyang wrist watch. “It’s almost time, let’s go?”

Sabay kaming pumunta sa classroom.

By the time we arrived, the room was suddenly filled with silence...there was a teasing smile on other’s faces. While others was just staring at us with questionable look.

We took a sit and waited for our instructor to come in.

Some of my classmates were talking and there are some who’s still shy to interact.

As the professor arrived, we all stood up and greeted him. He seems like he’s not in the mood today. So, as what I’ve expected...he started to shuffle our index card and called a name for recitation.

My classmates were shocked. Probably, they’re not aware of how college professors handle their students especially, under this program. Unlike me, I had developed a study habit since elementary. So, reading was just a piece of cake for me as well, duh.

Before I took this program, I did in-depth research of how this works and why should I choose this. That’s why, I understand why most of our professors are strict. They’re doing their best to give us the quality education that we deserve.

I was asked about the certain topic from our lesson that I should relate to our current justice system. So, I answered it correctly. How did I know? Because, when the prof didn’t ask follow-up questions, meaning he’s satisfied with what you have said. Sometimes, they will just nod and proceed to another.

Pagkatapos ng first period ay dumiritso na kami sa cafe. Kasabay ko si Gray na tila nakalutang ang isipan.

Pumasok kami saka umupo sa bakanteng table for two. Since dalawa kabg naman kami. May ibang studyante rin na kumakain dito.

The place is perfect for students and profs. Also, the price of their foods are student friendly.

Sununod si gray na umupo sa harapan ko.

He roamed his eyes inside the cafe. He didn’t bother to speak, so I broke the silence between us.

“G-gray, why am I the one you asked to eat? Don’t you have other friends?” I was hesitant to ask, but I’m curious at the same time, so, I asked him anyway.

He turned his gaze on me. “I have three friends. They’re also studying here, but took different programs.” He handed me the menu.

“Ohh...”

I took the menu and we ordered food.

“Basically, we rarely see each other in campus. Their building is far from ours...”

He explained.

“I see.” Kinuha ko ang phone ko para i-check baka may important messages saka in-off uli nang makita kong walang message sina mommy at daddy.

I sighed. Bakit ba ang hirap? Kahit nung nasa mansion pa ako hindi rin naman kami palaging nag-uusap.

We may live in a huge house yet it feels like a prison. A seal that could never bring me hope and light to my darkest life.

How do they breath knowing they had a child who suffers in their own hands? How do they pretend like a perfect parent to a child who never felt valued by her own parents? They should’ve aborted me if they’ll only make me feel miserable.

Why am I the one who suffers for their own mistake?

Ang daya naman talaga ng mundo. Kailan ba ito kakampi sa mga inaapi? Bakit hinahayaang palaging lamang ang nanlalamang?

I was snapped back into reality when our order was served.

I closed my eyes and whisper a prayer before I ate my meal.

Nakita kong nakatitig si Gray sa’kin. He observed every move I make. Medyo nailang ako sa paraan ng pagtitig n’ya. Pero naglaho rin ito nung nagsakita na s’ya.

“Have you joined any orgs already?” He opened a topic. “I was planning to join in an org that focuses on supporting unprivileged childrens and families.”

“Ahmm...I don’t know yet. I haven’t checked which org I’m interested in.” Maybe, I’ll join those who help during crisis. I’m willing to support those who’s in need especially, those places that barely received any benefits from our government.

Nakakainis lang na mas nakakakuha pa ng benipisyo ang mga taong may koneksyon sa opisyal, imbes na bigyang pagkakataon ang mas nangailangan.

Hindi ko naman sinisisi ang lahat ng nakaupo sa gobyerno kung bakit ito nangyayari. Kasi alam kong ‘di lahat kontrolado nila ang bawat programa at suporta na para sa mga mamamayang Pilipino. May mga naturingan lang talagang awturidad kuno pero s’ya ring dahilan kung ba’t maraming hindi nakatanggap ng tulong mula sa gobyerno. Eh, papano naman kasi, sila dapat ang mag-abot ng tulong pero sila rin mismo ang dahilan ng paghihirap ng nakararami.

“But, what do you think is your preferred org?” He took his last bite and drank his drinks while waiting for my response.

“I think, I’ll be joining org that helps during crisis. I have a lot of clothes and other stuffs that I can donate.” I said as I finish my food.

“Oh, great, that’s good. I wish you well whatever org you’ll be joining in, Kath.” He smiled. He reached for tissue and wipe his wet lips.

It was pinkish...and smooth.

Anyway, we got out from the cafe after we finish eating. We’re walking back to the campus when suddenly a group of three friends block our way.

“Woooppsss! Papi Gray, where have you been?” The guy with a blonde hair asked with a teasing smile as he saw me.

“Hala! We just...had a breakfast at a nearby cafe.” He was shocked by the presence of these three group of friends.

I think, they’re his friends from other department he’s referring earlier.

There are two girls and one guy in front of us right now. The girl with a long straight hair approached me and offered her hand.

“Hi, I’m Vienna Jaine De Vega. And you are?” She introduced herself.

I took her hand. “I’m Kathy, Gray’s new friend, PolSci.” I smiled at her. She’s pretty and sge has a baby face. She’s also wearing a branded clothes and... wow! her bag’s also a Berlin! I was amazed, but of course I hide it.

And another girl also introduced herself to me. “Hello, Kathy! Ako naman si Averyanne Ynares, yanie for short, Gray’s cousin and bestfriend!” She’s so bubbly. I feel like she’s the most energetic and happy-go-lucky kind of friend.

I took her hand.

Then the blonde guy stepped forward. “Hey, Kathy, I’m Jace Maverick Ortigas, just call me Mavy... kindly follow me back on IG, Miss.” He winked at me as we shake hands.

Gray cleared his throat as he spoke. “Why you guys are here? Didn’t you attend your classes?” He confronted his friends.

“Whoaaa, easy man. We’re finding a place to stay for a while before we enter the gate of hell. Speaking of...holyfvcking s**t we have recit later, I didn’t study last night!” He exclaimed. He looked problematic as he fake a cry.

Binatukan ni yannie si Mav dahil sa ka OA-han nito. “Shut up, Mav. You intentionally went to a party last night to ignore your notes. Stop acting like you’re just the only one who’ll be standing for the whole period in case our names are called...We didn’t study as well” She sighed. We all laughed at Yannies statement.

“That’s enough guys, we still have 2 hours to study. Gray, Kath, we’ll go ahead na, bye! Nice meeting you, Kath...see you around.” Vien waved her hand. I can’t take my eyes off her. She looks like an expensive glass you’d never dare to touch.

Nagpaalam na rin kami ni Gray dahil may next class pa kami.

Then we walked in an opposite directions.

Ang saya pala kapag may kaibigan. May kasama ka sa mga trip mo sa buhay. Kaya lang, hindi ko alam kong may makavibe ba ako, eh, ang boring kaya ng mga hobbies ko!

Bigla akong napaisip. Ang bait ni Gray sa’kin pero ni isa sa mga kaklase namin ay wala s’yang kinakausap. May mga pagkakataon din na nahuhuli ko ang ibang kaklase na babae na titig na titig sa kanya pero wala s’yang pake. Ewan ko ba kung manhid lang or wala talagang kaalam-alam na attractive s’ya?

Sometimes, we’re just living in our own world without giving a f**k of how society might see us.

And I think that’s the best feeling ever. To be able to live without pleasing anyone.

Without having to prove something.