Hindi Tugma

CHAPTER 2

"Talaga?! Kaklase natin siya?!" hindi makapaniwalang reaksyon ng isang chinitang babae.

"Oo, girl! Totoo! Siya mismo ang nakita ng pinsan ko kahapon doon sa tapat ng gate!" sagot naman ng isa pa na halos tumalon sa tuwa.

"Kaya nga! So many rich and handsome guys actually study here. We didn't just study for a diploma, we even got to pick our future husbands!" singgit ng isa pang mahilig makitsismis.

Those were the words Amaris heard as he searched for a quiet spot inside their classroom. He deliberately chose to sit by the window in the far corner, so he could at least catch a glimpse of the green trees outside and think in peace. He completely ignored the shallow murmurs of his blockmates, who acted more like they were at a talent search than preparing for a professional career.

"Nandiyan na siya!" sigaw ng isang babae sa unahan na halos pumutok ang pisngi sa kapal ng inilagay na blush-on.

The entire class turned toward the door in unison as a man walked in. The room erupted into loud shrieks and whispers, like a swarm of bees abandoning their hive. Amaris grew even more annoyed; he rolled his eyes deeply and let out a heavy sigh.

They are education students, he thought to himself, the future guiding lights of the nation, but they were acting like people seeing a paid actor at a bar.

With the noise becoming too headache-inducing, Amaris grabbed his earphones, put them on, and pressed the play button. The melody of Paubaya by Moira dela Torre greeted his ears. With the help of the music and the closing of his eyes, he slowly drifted off to sleep amidst the celebration of his classmates. Music had become his sanctuary and weapon against the noise of this world.

He didn't feel someone approaching. His attention was only caught when someone suddenly pulled and removed the earphone from his right ear. He had fallen asleep because of the music.

"Is someone sitting here, bata?" asked a familiar, arrogant voice.

Amaris opened his eyes, his blood boiling. "Kung wala kang nakita na may nakaupo, malamang wala!" masungit niyang sagot sabay hablot pabalik ng kanyang earphone.

"Okay. Good to know. This is now my spot," the guy replied without hesitation, sitting down in the empty chair beside him.

Nang marinig iyon ng mga nakapaligid na estudyante, nagsimula na naman ang bulung-bulungan:

"Akala mo kung sino, ang sungit naman."

"Hindi naman gano'n ka-gwapo, huh."

"Chaka! Total trash, acting all famous."

Amaris couldn't help but glance back at the guy now sitting next to him. Despite his irritation, he couldn't deny that the guy had a well-defined nose and seductive, hooded eyes.

"Am I cute?" his seatmate suddenly asked, resting his chin on his palm. "Are you trying to seduce me now, huh? Don't worry, I know magic love potions don't work just from a stare, but I can take responsibility for you just in case."

"As if naman may ikakagusto ako sa 'yo? Sa mukha mong 'yan, mukha kang lumang basahan na itinapon sa kanal," mabilis na ganti ni Amaris.

"You never know," the young man replied with a smirk, glancing toward the door. "Co'z, I know when I entered that door... I already found a spark in you-just a spark, but maybe it'll catch fire later."

Amaris froze. It was as if cold water had been poured over his head. He hadn't expected this guy to be so fond of intense teasing. He hated people who played with others' feelings, especially since he had no time for any flings. Besides, he was exclusively into women; he had zero time for jokes like this.

"Kung wala kang matinong gagawin sa buhay mo, magtuhog ka na lang ng butil ng mais kaysa istorbohin ako!" bulyaw ni Amaris bago padabog na kinuha ang kanyang bag at tumayo.

He chose to leave the block and return to his favorite sanctuary: the old library. He knew that was the only place he would find peace while waiting for their professors to distribute class cards.

As he walked down the hallway, someone called his name.

"Amaris!" tanong ng pamilyar na boses. Paglingon niya, nakita niya si Milio na nakapamulsa habang nakangiti. "Where are you going? Why is your face all scrunched up? Which creature are you furious with this time?"

"Ikaw lang pala, Milio," mahinang wika ni Amaris habang hinihingal pa sa inis. "Pupunta lang ako ng old library. Wala pa namang klase, kaya tatambay muna ako roon."

"Do you want me to accompany you? Or maybe, I can tour you around the secrets of this campus again?" alok ng binata.

"I-I'm okay. Don't mind me. Nag-ikot na rin naman kami ng kaibigan ko kanina. You can go ahead, Mr. Esmajer."

"You're so formal. I'm just a senior here on campus, not the Dean for you to call me like that. You can call me Milio, okay?" the guy said softly and tenderly.

"Milio? Parang unprofessional naman at unethical para sa isang freshman na tawagin ang senior niya sa ganoong paraan."

"You are the only exception, Amaris. Besides, I assume that we're already close friends, right?"

Nabigla si Amaris sa sinabi nito. Napalunok siya ng laway, ramdam ang biglang pag-init ng kanyang mga tainga. "A-ah... If that so, sige. I shall call you Milio starting today."

Milio nodded in agreement, looking quite pleased with how the conversation turned out. Amaris couldn't refuse anymore given the senior's persistence. Instead of going to the library, they ended up wandering around various corners of the sprawling university - the court, the swimming area, and the new library.

When they started feeling hungry, they decided to drop by the cafeteria. There, Amaris completely forgot the annoyance he had felt earlier in the classroom. He realized that being with Milio was actually fun; it felt much lighter than dealing with his chatty and noisy friend, Cleo.

"What's your order?" tanong ni Milio nang makarating sila sa counter.

"Hmmm... bake mac, French fries, at iced tea na lang," tugon ni Amaris. Akmang kukuha na siya ng pitaka sa loob ng kanyang bag nang pigilan siya ng kamay ni Milio.

"My treat," nakangiting sabi ng binata.

"Are you sure? Nakakahiya naman sa 'yo."

Milio nodded while staring at him with a strange sparkle in his eyes.

"O-Okay... Thank you for the treat, Milio," nahihiyang tugon ni Amaris.

"My pleasure, Amaris," he answered, smiling.

They found an empty table in the corner of the cafeteria. Even with students buzzing all around them, that moment felt carved out just for them. It felt as though they had known each other for a long time, despite the fact that this was only their first time talking for this long.

"Agi!" Isang pamilyar na sigaw ang bumasag sa tahimik nilang mundo.

They both turned toward the source of the voice.

"Who's that?" nagtatakang pabulong na tanong ni Milio, nang makitang papalapit ang isang babaeng may dalang tray ng pagkain.

"S-siya? A-ah... my best friend," sagot ni Amaris, bakas ang bahagyang pagsisisi sa mukha dahil tiyak na may kalokohang sasabihin na naman si Cleo.

Cleo reached their table and immediately sat beside Amaris without asking permission. "Bagong jowa-este, new friend?! Ang bilis mo naman, agi! Ilang oras lang tayong nagkahiwalay kanina, nakahanap ka na kaagad ng papalit sa akin sa puso mo. Bahala ka diyan, magtatampo na talaga ako sa 'yo!" pagda-drama nito habang nagpupunas kunwari ng luhang walang tubig.

"He-he-he," pilit na tawa ni Amaris habang pinandilatan ng mata ang kaibigan. "Bakit ka ba nandito, Cleo? Wala ka bang klase?"

"Natural, bilihan ito ng pagkain kaya nandito ako," pilosopong sagot ng kaibigan. Nang makita nitong masama ang tingin ni Amaris, agad itong bumawi. "Chariz! Ito naman, stress agad sa buhay, second day na second day ng klase. Bibili lang talaga sana ako ng makakain, tapos swerte ko naman at nakita kitang kasama si... I'm sorry, what's your name?" baling nito kay Milio sabay turo.

"Anyways, nakita ko itong kasama mong guwapo kaya lumapit ako. Hi nga pala! I'm Cleo Monseal, 19, sexy, pretty, at higit sa lahat, yummy-" natigilan ito nang mapansing seryoso ang dalawa. "Charot lang! Ang seseryoso niyo naman sa buhay. I'm a freshman education student, major sa puso mo-I mean, major in Social Studies." Pagpapakilala pa nito sabay lahad ng kamay.

"I'm Milio Joshtine Esmajer, but you can call me Milio. I'm your senior in this program. It's nice meeting you, Cleo," the guy greeted cheerfully, accepting her hand.

"Can I call you mine, papichulo?" bulong-pabebe ni Cleo na may kasama pang kagat-labi.

"H-Huh? Pardon?" gulat na tanong ng binata na hindi narinig nang malinaw ang sinabi.

"Sabi niya, kung pwede ka raw maging kaibigan namin dito sa campus," mabilis na singit ni Amaris bago pa makapagsalita ng kung ano si Cleo.

"Sure! Why not? That'd be fun, right? Besides, I don't have many freshman friends here yet. Good thing you guys came along," Milio answered with a smile.

Napatingin si Amaris sa kanyang relo. "Anyway, we need to go. May hihintayin pa kaming propesor ngayon sa block namin," pagdadahilan niya para makaalis na sila.

"Huh? Wala kaya tayong-aray!" reklamo ni Cleo nang sikuhin siya ni Amaris sa tagiliran.

"Hindi ba may sinabi si Prof kanina? Tsk, makakalimutin ka talaga," pagpapatuloy ni Amaris habang binibigyan ng makahulugang tingin ang kaibigan.

"Ay! Oo nga pala! Papichulo-I mean, Milio, sayang naman. Sa susunod na lang tayo sabay kumain, huh? Mauuna na kami, byers!" masiglang paalam ni Cleo.

"I'll walk you to your building," Milio offered.

"H'wag na. Kasama ko naman si Cleo, kaya namin ang sarili namin," pagtutol kaagad ni Amaris.

"Ano ka ba naman, ihahatid ka na nga, nag-iinarte ka pa, gurl!" bulong ni Cleo kay Amaris bago ngumiti nang pagkatamis-tamis kay Milio. "Sige na, Milio, mauna na kami!"

In his haste to get away, Amaris didn't watch his step as they walked out of the cafeteria doors. Because of that, he accidentally crashed into the solid chest of a guy walking inside. His face hit the hard chest of an unbuttoned uniform.

"S-sorry!" Amaris immediately apologized, stepping back.

Whispers instantly rippled through the cafeteria because of the incident.

"Tss. Too clumsy."

"Kaya nga, hindi tinatanggal ang mga mata sa paglalakad."

"Ang lakas banggain si Papa Ryker, huh! Nagpapapansin lang 'ata."

Amaris froze. He had to look up because the guy was taller than him; he only reached the guy's shoulder. Meanwhile, Cleo behind him looked like she'd been doused in cold water, frozen in place due to extreme starstruck panic and fear.

Ryker was known not just for his surname and wealth, but also for his roles in popular movies as a villain. In real life, his image was much the same: savage, fearless, and intimidating. Many whispered that his family could crush anyone in the blink of an eye. Though he didn't actively do anything harmful to students, his mere presence was enough to make knees shake.

"H-Huh?" naguguluhan at nauutal na tanong ni Amaris sa sinabi ng binata.

"Do you want me to forgive you for what you did?" Ryker asked seriously, hands in his pockets, staring straight into Amaris's eyes.

Tumango si Amaris nang may pag-aalinlangan bilang pagsang-ayon.

"Then... you should kiss me," Ryker said arrogantly and defiantly.

Out of embarrassment and shock, Amaris didn't know what to do. Thinking he was supposed to kiss the guy's shirt or chest to make up for it, he leaned his face forward. But before his lips could even touch, a heavy hand firmly grabbed his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks.

"Not there," Ryker said coldly, slowly pointing his index finger at his own lips. "Kiss me in the lips."

@phiemharc - Hindi Tugma (C2)