Palmyra: Evan Vinter

Chapter 4: First Day.

*Anissa's POV*

Sana introduced me to Manager Gary the next morning. Gladly, tinanggap ako kahit wala pa akong ibang working experience. Si Sana na raw muna ang magtuturo sa akin. Parehas kami ng oras ng shift ni Sana, 6pm, after class. Different day off though.

"Get it?" She asked.

Madali ko namang natutunan ang mga tinuro niya. Mamaya pang hapon ang shift namin pero pinapaliwanag na niya ang mga importanteng bagay.

Also, it's a good thing na halos parehas kami ng classes. Pwera na lang sa isang elective class na magkaiba kami ng kinuha.

Ms. Sylvia gave me the Mythical creatures as an Elective class. I did not know that there is such a class, pero baka iba nga talaga ang subjects sa University nila. While Sana, she took Home Economics as her Elective. Such a weird curriculum for a University, but oh well.

Sana looked at her watch. It's already 8:35 am. 9:00 am ang first class namin.

"Issa, tara na. Lakad na tayo." She said.

Ah, kailan ko kaya sasabihin sakaniya na may sasakyan ako?

I nodded at naglakad na kami.

~~

As we enter the University, dumeretso agad kami sa Locus Building kung saan naka-assign ang classes ng mga Business Administration students. Malaki ang building nila and I think spacious rin ang loob ng isang room.

Habang naglalakad kami sa building papunta ng fourth floor napansin kong panay ang tingin samin ni Sana ng ibang mga tao roon.

For all I know, Sana got here a few months ago. Siguro ay mga bagong mukha sa University kaya tinitignan kami.

"Ang weird nila bakit sila nakatingin satin? Ngayon lang naka-kita ng Dyosa?" Sambit nito.

I chuckled. She really is funny.

Kari-ring ng bell nang marating namin ang classroom namin. Good thing hindi pa masyadong maraming tao at bakante pa ang nasa likod. Doon kami umupo si Sana.

Sana leaned to my chair and whispered, "Grabe nakakakaba na nakakaexcite."

Napailing nalang ako sakaniya. I don't really get her sometimes. 

~~

Lunch seems weird. Now everyone is looking at us.

"Kanina pa sila nakatingin. Natatakot na ko ha," Bulong ni Sana habang paupo kami. Magkatapat ang pwesto namin.

Bigla na lang may babaeng umupo sa tabi ni Sana na kinagulat nito.

"Hi!" Masiglang bati ng babae. She's pretty. Her short brown hair compliments her fair skin. She is also tall and has a slim built, she could actually pass for a model, that's how pretty she is. Her dark eyes glimmered with happiness upon seeing us.

"Hello!" Bati pabalik ni Sana habang malaki ang ngiti niya.

"I'm Artemis Reena Osborne but can call me Reena," She said and we exchanged our names and pleasantries.

Her genuine smile is still plastered across her beautiful face. "You're new here noh? Welcome sa University. I was actually tasked by Mrs. Davis to tour you around kaso na-late din ako ng dating kanina," she chuckled as if we were old friends just normally chatting.

"Ay okay lang yun noh. Medyo na-late din naman kami," Sabi ni Sana. 

"Is it okay if I'll tour you after you eat lunch? May time pa naman. Hindi natin malilibot buong school within 30 minutes pero I'll make sure you know the right places somehow," Reena said.

Pumayag kami ni Sana.We still have time though. She said her thanks and walked back to her friends.

Sinundan namin ng tingin ni Sana kung saan siya pumunta. We saw her walk to the table a few meters away from us. May kasama siyang dalawang estudyante rin, a girl and a boy. When Reena saw us looking at her, she waved and smiled at us.

Sana and I smiled awkwardly, nahuli pa kaming sinundan siya ng tingin.

Just after we finish our food, Reena came back with her friends.

"Sana, Issa, this is Samantha and Brennan," Pakilala nito.

Samantha is still pretty though she looks like a nerd with her big glasses. Brennan on the other hand, looks like a typical boy next door.

"Samantha Astra. Sam for short," She extended her hand for a handshake.

Tinanggap ko naman iyon. "Issa Collins."

"Sana Raqui."

Brennan flashed a smile. "Brennan Tan. Welcome to Rubrum University."

~~

Reena toured us with Sam and Brennan. Masaya rin kasama ang dalawang iyon.

First ring ng bell ay naghiwa-hiwalay na kami. They are taking Hospitality Management.

We also learned that Reena is the President of the Student Council of this University.

The day went by fast. 3:00-4:00 is our Electives. Kaya naman nagkahiwalay na kami ng room ni Sana.

I managed to get there on time. But by the time I entered, napatigil ang ibang estudyante sa paguusap.

"Uhm, Mythical Creatures Class?" I asked to lessen the awkwardness.

"Issa!" Tawag naman ni Brennan. "Tara dito ka na umupo."

Oh good, at least I have someone I know.

Pumasok ako at umupo sa bakanteng upuan katabi ni Brennan.

"Pare si Issa nga pala. Issa, si Julian, Quill, and Franco." Pakilala ni Brennan.

"Hi Issa! I'm Franco Iligan." Pakilala niya sa akin. He has this wide grin. Typical boy next door as well.

Tumango ang isa sa akin. "Quill Herman."

The last one smiled genuinely. "Julian Prescott." He extended his hand for a handshake.

Tinanggap ko iyon. "Issa Collins."

~~

5:04 pm nang magkita kami ni Sana sa labas ng building.

"Oh, kamusta?" Tanong nito sakin.

I shrugged. "Fine. Kaklase ko si Brennan sa Electives kanina."

Nanlaki ang mata ni Sana. "Talaga? Edi mabuti. At least may kakilala ka kahit papaano. Si Reena nga kaklase ko rin sa Electives eh."

Tumungo kami sa store supplies ng school para kuhanin ang PE uniform namin.

Weird eh? Fourth year college pero may PE pa.

Freshmen and Sophomore year nila same PE activities tulad ng ibang school. Pero pagdating ng Junior and Senior self-defense and other fighting skills.

Pagkakuha namin ni Sana ng PE uniform ay naglakad na rin kami papunta sa restaurant.

~~

Naging madali naman sakin ang mag-adjust sa trabaho dahil kakaunti pa ang tao. Sabi ni Sana mga pagdating ng alas diyes dumadami ang tao.

So far, so good.

Almost past midnight nang makita kong pumasok si Reena with Sam, Brennan and four other guys.

Si Sana ang nakatoka sa table nila. Nang makita ako ni Reena ay kumaway ito at lumapit.

"Dito ka pala nagwo-work," Nakangiting sabi nito.

Tumango ako at ngumiti. Lumapit naman si Sana sa table nila at binati si Sam at Brennan.

"Anong oras out niyo? Sabayan niyo na kami kumain," yaya nito saamin.

"One pa. Hindi na, mauna na kayo okay lang naman kami," Sabi ko.

"Nah-ah. I insist." Lumapit ito sa counter at kinausap si Manager Sarah.

Nakangiti naman pareho nang bumalik si Reena sa akin.

"All good! Your manager said pwede kayong mag-out na since you it is your first day at work and you did good," Hinatak ako ni Reena papunta sa table nila.

"Hi Sana!" Bati niya.

Ngumiti si Sana sakaniya.

"Naka-order na kayo?" Tanong ni Reena sa mga kasama niya.

Tumango ang mga ito.

Tumingin si Reena sa amin ni Sana. "Idagdag niyo na yung gusto niyong dalawa tapos sabayan niyo na kami kumain," Ngiting sabi niya.

"Don't worry, libre ni Reena 'to," Sabi ni Brennan at tumawa ang ilang kasama nila.

I chuckled as Sana's eyes lit up. Malamang dahil sa narinig niyang libre ito.

Nang matapos na ang order nila ay nagpaalam muna ako kay Reena na aayusin yung gamit ko sa likod.

Nang dalin namin ang buong order ng table ni Reena ay pinaupo kami nito sa tabi niya.

"Okay, before we eat, I want to introduce you to the others. Issa, Sana, this are Warren, Oliver, Louie, Michael, and Garrett,"

Nakipagkamay naman ang mga ito.

All of them seems nice and approachable.

Nagpakilala sila samin ni Sana isa isa.

Warren Gil. 5th year Chemical Engineering student in the University. Siya yung tipong mysterious guy pero gwapo. And I think crush siya ni Sana. Just not sure if the feeling is mutual.

Oliver Dumont. 5th year Civil Engineering student. Like Brennan, typical boy next door hottie.

Louie Regal. 4th year Information Technology student. Nerdy though he looks too hot to be one. 

Michael Grant. 4th year AB History student. He is the silent type.

Garrett Simons. 5th year Mechanical Engineering student. Siya yung tipong chill na tao lang.

Within a day dumami ang kakilala ko sa University dahil kay Reena.

"Kailan lang kayo lumipat dito?" Tanong ni Oliver habang kumakain kami.

Sana answered, "Ako probably may 3 months na rin. Si Issa nung isang araw lang ata?"

Tumingin silang lahat sakin.

Oh no.

Nakakunot ang noo nila. "Seryoso?"

I nodded. "Impulsive young adult."

Natawa naman sila.

"Matagal ka nang mag-isa? I mean, where's your family?" Tanong ni Warren.

I shrugged. "Bumukod na ako."

I think they sensed na ayoko pag-usapan kaya iniba nila ang topic.

Everything is going smoothly until a new batch of group came.

Three boys and two girls.

Namukhaan ko yung isang babae, siya rin yung madalas kong mapansin na nakatingin sakin sa school at masama yung tingin niya. I don't know why.

"'Sup Beta's!" Bati ng isang lalaki sakanila.

Tumango nalang si Warren, Oliver, Louie, Michael at Garrett.

Beta's?

Pagtingin ko sakanila nakatingin pa rin sakin yung babae.

Marahil ay napansin ni Reena.

"Hey, you okay?" She asked.

I nodded.

So much for my first day.