Chapter 4
1111 Words
I was wearing a crisp white short-sleeved button-down shirt tucked into high-waisted, wide-leg, light beige linen pants. Accessorized with a brown leather belt matching my flat sandals. I carried my brown Bulgari casual bag, and on my left hand, an envelope bursting with enrollment documents.
As I stepped out of the subdivision gate, a tricycle driver suddenly blocked my way.
“Ma'am onde tu?”
His voice was casual but irritating.
“Po?”
I pulled back, confused.
I instantly recognized the language — Chavacano. Zamboanga City’s Spanish Creole, but that didn’t make him any less intrusive.
“Ah, taga Manila ka siguro, ineng?”
He smiled like he thought he was charming.
“Opo.”
I replied coolly, eyes sharp.
Then his tone darkened.
“Saan ka ba?”
My brows furrowed, sensing his intentions.
“Gusto mo hinatid na kita, at libre pa. Basta bunita, libre!”
He winked and grinned like some creepy old wolf.
"This is s****l harassment, pure and simple. Since I’ve read ahead, I know my rights,so I have no idea what this old hog thinks he wants."
Thanks, pero wag na,”
I said firmly, shaking my head away like he was some disgusting pest.
But he wasn’t done.
“Teka lang, Miss Beautiful. Libre na nga, tapos choosy ka pa?”
He started following me, and I gripped my bag tighter.
“Hoy, sabi ko ,leave me alone! I’m not interested. This is harassment, and I’m not going to entertain you!”
My voice was sharp and commanding, leaving no room for his nonsense.
He finally hesitated. I felt my heart racing ,pissed off but ready to stand my ground. This isn’t just annoyance; it’s about respect and boundaries, and though I’m not a law student yet, I know enough to understand my rights.
“You seriously won’t leave me alone?” Huminto ako sa harap niya, nilingon ko siya nang malamig at walang ekspresyon.
“Do you even know what you’re doing?” I asked flatly, smirking.
The old hog just smiled sensually, like he was enjoying this twisted game.
Of course, pensabo bo bobo iyo,” tawa niya nang malikot, ipinakita ang dilaw niyang ngipin at tumulo ang malansang laway.
“Matatagal din akong tuyo. Pa b*****g tamen, miss.” He bit his lower lip, sending a nauseating vibe.
Disgust washed over me. I wanted to punch him right there and then. But I forced myself to stay composed.
“Republic Act No. 11313, the Safe Spaces Act — you know, ‘Bawal Bastos’ Law?” I said, voice steady and cutting. “It covers s****l harassment in public spaces, online, even transportation. From catcalling to worse physical acts, all punishable. Penalties include fines, imprisonment, and community service.”
I locked eyes with him. “So, do you want me to sue you?”
He just smirked nastily.
Nuay iyo keber na debo, pa republic-republic act.” Hinila niya ang braso ko, sinubukang ipasakay ako sa tricycle niya.
“Get your filthy hands off me!” sumigaw ako nang matindi, ginapi ang maruming hawak niya sa pulso ko.
“Ancina iyo kere, pakipot pati balyente.” He snarled, but before he could force me onto his tricycle, someone grabbed my hand and pulled me away.
“Sale ya bo aki, mentras blanko pa iyo ta mira.”
A cold voice said behind my back.
I Wait. Kilala ko ‘tong boses na ‘to. Hindi ako nagkakamali,siya ‘yung lalaki na may Benten boxer at sweatpants. I laughed quietly in my mind but kept my face completely emotionless, blank and unreadable.
“Ano ba kase ang ginagawa mo dito?”
He asked, voice steady but curious.
I just raised an eyebrow at him, noticing how his face had lost that usual approachable vibe. He looked different today,cold, serious, even a little grumpy.
“Obviously, going to school.”
Sabi ko nang diretso, walang paligoy-ligoy.
“Ang tang ina.”
He raised his eyebrow at me this time.
“Are you kidding me?”
He said, laughing a little.
“Haystt baby pa gat.”
He muttered again in words I couldn’t understand, shaking his head like he was half-exasperated, half-amused.
“Baby di mio.”
He said in a low monotone.
I heard it, but it was useless to me. Didn’t understand a word, and honestly, as if I cared.
“First year?” he asked, curiosity slipping into his voice.
I just shook my head,no answer, no emotion.
He stared at me like he was trying to figure out what I was doing in their place. He’s cute, with a pout on his lips and playful eyes.
Gross. Erase that. He’s ugly to me.
“Transferee?” he asked again.
I just nodded, indifferent.
I stared back at him,completely blank, uninterested.
“Saan school?” he asked, scratching his head like he was shy.
“West,” I answered, short and careful.
His eyes widened, disbelief obvious. I just raised an eyebrow at him, unimpressed by his reaction.
“Third year?” he asked again, smiling.
“Nope,” I shook my head coldly.
“Malas, third year pa gat Lord, hustisya Pakilaya iyo pwede man biga. he muttered in a language I didn’t understand.
I furrowed my brow at him.
“Course?” he asked again, like this was a never-ending interrogation.
Is this an interview or what? I hate this kind of interaction,that’s why I always have my earpods on. In Ateneo, I only had one friend. The rest? Just colleagues.
“Why do you keep asking?” I said, voice laced with irritation and coldness.
“Tss, bien maldita. Beuno ya lang Bunita.”
His teasing shot came again.
I was already annoyed by him since earlier. Words after words, most of which I didn’t even understand.
“Bluf, at yourself. I don’t get you,” I said, irritation clear in my voice. But the i***t just laughed like it was a joke.
“Mag-enroll kaba?”
He asked again.
I shot him a bored glance.
“Obviously,” I said flatly.
“Tara na.”
He said cheerfully.
I raised an eyebrow.
“Diba mag-enroll ka? Eh doon din ako pupunta eh.”
His voice shifted back to that usual casual tone.
I simply nodded and started walking to keep up. He took the lead, striding ahead while I followed closely behind.
He wore a white short-sleeved knitted polo shirt and black trousers. A black belt cinched neatly at his waist, and a sleek watch adorned his left wrist. The shirt’s ribbed knit texture and collared neckline gave off a casual yet clean-cut vibe,simple but sharp.
- Writer
