Chapter 7
1542 Words
It’s been two weeks since enrollment, and a lot has happened. My classes have started already. This university feels different. Since I’m a transferee, I didn’t need to go to the registrar to submit my requirements. They told me to go straight to the Dean. Next year, I’ll do the usual enrollment. For now, I got an immunity pass because I’m a transferee. Tss.
Eros and I became friends. We are always together, even if he annoys me a lot. But do I have a choice? He’s the only person I know here. We go to school together, go home together, eat together, and sometimes he bothers me when I’m studying. He really chases me.
Eros is clumsy and carefree. He is like sunshine and makes me feel happy. But... he can also be very annoying. His mouth never stops talking.
I don’t know why, but I don’t mind being with him. Maybe that’s why Eros never leaves me alone. I like having him around. His noisy, lively energy is the opposite of how quiet and cold I am. And maybe, just maybe, I’m starting to need that.
Flashback
Nakaupo ako sa bench sa loob ng university at nagbabasa ng crim law 1 with my earbuds on my ear, I like it para wala akong marinig na ingay so I can focus on what I am reading. It's already 4 pm, kakatapos lang klase namin. Wala naman talaga ginawa considering it's a first week of class puro introduce lang yourself and many more.
Hinihintay ko Kase si Eros, Kase sabay na kame umuwi, ayoko naman na may mang-yari ulit sa akin kagaya nung last time. Hindi ko pa talaga Gamay ang pueblo considering bagong lipat ako Dito. And their chavacano languages I can't understand. Damn I felt hopeless.
And Eros, should I trust him? I don't know he seems harmful naman. Kaysa Wala akong kakilala Dito. My parents really f**k up for sending me here without knowing anyone even a company for myself. They really hate me.
I clenched my fists, thinking about how no one really cared about me. Even if something bad happened to me here, they wouldn’t care at all.
What a heartless bunch of assholes.
I murmured, closing my book sharply. The words I was reading couldn’t enter my mind anymore.
I closed my eyes, wanting to cry out of frustration.
Fuck them.
I whispered silently.
When I opened my eyes, I met Eros’s gaze. He looked tired and sweaty, frowning as he walked toward me,like he just finished cleaning.
I raised an eyebrow at him, and he scowled back.
“Tss.”
I said.
“Maldita.”
He said.
“I’m not.”
I replied.
His eyes widened, thinking I didn’t hear him. But my earbuds were muted, stupid me.
Eros laughed, like he didn’t look tired at all.
He sat down beside me, sighing heavily. He really seemed exhausted.
I took off my earbuds and looked at him, confused. Should I ask if he was okay? But obviously, he wasn’t.
How useless it is,asking someone if they’re okay when it’s clear they’re not.
What?
Why am I thinking like this? Am I actually worried about Eros? Do I even care?
“Tss.”
I muttered in my mind, shaking my head. I couldn’t believe the thoughts running through my head.
“Let’s go.”
I said suddenly.
“Okay.”
He replied softly, gathering my things.
“Eros.”
I called out to him.
“Hmm.”
He replied.
“Give me my things. I’ll carry them.” I said, reaching out my hand, forcing myself to show a little kindness.
Eros just shook his head and smiled tiredly.
Haystt. “Ok, fine.”
I sighed heavy, feeling something shift inside me,though I wasn’t ready to admit it.
We started walking out of the university together, the weight of our surroundings fading as we waited for a jeepney.
Tss, I need to do this.
I told myself again, pushing down the strange mix of frustration and care that was creeping into my chest.
“Eros?”
I called softly, almost unsure if I should.
He turned slowly, eyes tired but alert.
“Hmm.”
Haystt, why am I even doing this?
I thought, but I kept the question to myself. Maybe some things don’t need answers yet.
“Benten sweatpants, where’s Jollibee here?”
I asked, trying to break the quiet with something simple, hoping he’d talk back.
Eros gave me a small smile, the kind that said, I’m here, even when the world felt heavy.
Maybe… just maybe, I didn’t mind having him around after all.
“Huh?”
Eros looked lost, like he didn’t quite catch what I said.
“I said, where’s the Jollibee here? So we can eat,and it’s my treat because you look tired and not okay.”
Those were the only words that came out of my mouth. The rest was all swirling in my mind.
I hope he doesn’t think I actually care about him.
“Doon sa likod sa school.”
He answered.
“Gutom ka?”
He asked again.
I just nodded.
“Okay.”
He said simply.
“Dine in or take out?”
He asked as we started walking toward the back of the school where the Jollibee was.
“Take out.”
I said shortly.
In less than two minutes, we arrived at Jollibee.
Eros opened the door for me, his tired hands steady but gentle. We lined up to order.
Jollibee had really improved,like McDonald’s, they now had digital ordering kiosks.
Eros looked around, always alert even though he was clearly tired. I could see the little things he did,how he held the door open, how he watched out for me in line. He wasn’t just my annoying, clumsy friend anymore. He was someone who looked out for me without asking for anything back.
And maybe that’s why I was starting to care,just a little.
Inside, I saw many students because the Jollibee was just behind our school. Everyone wore the same uniform,black pants, white shirts with blazers, and red ribbons tied neatly. That was the West School uniform, with their seal on the blazer.
I ordered two C1 meals, spicy, plus a mix and match spaghetti and a coke float.
Eros was about to hand me some money, but I quickly stopped him.
“My treat.”
I said firmly.
He looked shocked, his eyes widening, and I could see his cheeks flush slightly. I wasn’t sure if he was embarrassed or if something else was going on,maybe he was secretly happy.
“Don’t flush so hard.”
I teased.
Eros tried to hide it but gave a small smile.
I could tell he wasn’t used to people being kind to him, or maybe he didn’t expect me to be like that. His usual confident, carefree mask softened for a moment, showing a more vulnerable side. It was like he was surprised that someone cared enough to do this for him.
Maybe, somewhere deep down, he wanted more than just friendship, but was too tired or proud to say it.
And as I watched him, my heartfelt warmer than I expected.
He just rolled his eyes, but he looked like he was in a good mood.
We left Jollibee and took a jeepney going to the subdivision.
We walked inside the neighborhood together, and Eros was humming a song.
Tss, parang tanga.
I thought to myself.
His uniform suited him well. The white blazer, dress shirt, red tie, and black pants tucked in with a belt made him look like a doctor,so neat and sharp. Eros was tall too, about six feet.
I’m only 5’8.
It surprised me that, even now, I never told him my name. But… does it really matter?
I shook my head slowly, pushing the thought away.
Before I realized it, we were already at my front gate.
“Thank you, maldita.”
His voice was softer than usual,real and honest. For a moment, I felt the cold wall I built around myself crack just a bit.
Maybe… he is different.
I thought.
“Lumi.”
Pagkilala ko sa kanya. It’s my name, a short cut for Luminia.
“Lumi?”
Tanong niya, and sound confused.
“Lumi is my name.”
Tipid Kong sagot sa kanya.
“Lumi as in Lumi yung pagkain.”
Hindi makapaniwalang sabi Niya sabay tawa.
“Tss.”
Sabi ko.
“It’s Luminia Spare L. Panganiban.”
Sabi ko, buang pangalan ko sa kanya.
“Ah Lumina.”
He teased me, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
I just rolled my eyes to him, trying to hide the small smile threatening to break through.
He scratched his head, suddenly shy, and hid his flushed cheeks as if caught off guard.
“Sigi, thank you.”
Sabi Niya, his voice softer now, more sincere than before, sabay takbo sa kabilang Bahay. Haystt, magkapitbahay lang kame.
“Pang!! Tan kilig iyo sobra. Ackk!”
Sigaw ni Eros na parang baliw, his excitement and happiness spilling over like a wild burst.
“Tss weird.”
Sabi ko, sabay pasok na sa loob, feeling a strange warmth in my chest despite my cold words.
End of flashback.
- Writer
