Between Hate and Love

Chapter 36

The least thing that I wanted in college was to enter a relationship. I was not looking for it. Relationships scares the hell out of me, that was because the relationships I knew weren’t the best ones.

I survived the first week. Hindi ko nakakasama madalas ang mga roomates ko sa dorm, but Trisha was nice and she always make sure to include me lalo na kapag nagtitipid ng gastos for dinner. She would always cook, at saka kami mag-aambagan para makatipid. Ganoon din daw ang ginawa nila last year.

The first week was full of introduction, pati na rin introduction ng mga subjects. Some instructors already opened a lesson. So far, maluwag pa rin ang mga schedule namin at hindi pa mabigat ‘yung mga ginagawa namin.

Today was Saturday, and I only had one subject. It was early morning, at pagkatapos nu’n ay didiretso ako sa student’s services. I applied as a student assistant. Ma and Gio’s job were just enough for me to go to college, kung isa man sa kanila ang magkaroon ng sakit, or anyone in the family, malulugmok kami sa utang. I had to do something.

Back in senior high, I was selling food and many other stuff para makatulong sa bahay. I also did some other sideline like tutoring and doing younger grade level’s projects and homework. Dahil doon ay hindi gaanong problema nina mama ang baon ko sa araw-araw. I was able to gove Allison and Atticus sometimes too.

The class ended. I was on my way to the student’s services office when my phone rang. It was River.

“Hi,” I answered.

“Hey, how’s your day going? Nag-lunch ka na?” tanong niya. Kaagad naman ako’ng napangiti. Since I accepted his friend request, mandalas na siya na nagchachat, nagetetext, at tumatawag. He always asks me about my day and if I was eating on time.

River told me a lot of things like how he knew Venera, and that he was enrolled in another public university nearby.

“Hindi pa. Kakatapos lang ng CWTS namin,” tugon ko.

“Oh. Do you have plans mamaya? Puwede ba kitang sunduin? Let’s have lunch together?” sunod-sunod na tanong niya.

“Anong oras ba? Dadaan pa kasi ako sa student’s services niyan,” paliwanag ko.

“It’s fine, meet me na lang sa main gate. I’m actually already here.”

My eyes widened with his answer. Nagmamadali ako’ng pumunta sa student’s affair. I already applied online, at ngayon ang schedule ko for the interview. Kinakabahan ako dahil iyon ang una ko’ng beses na mainterview for something like a job.

I explained River everything habang naghihintay ako na tawagin. Mayroon din kasi’ng ibang mga estudyante na kasabay ko for the interview. “Sayang din kasi,” paliwagan ko.

“I get it. Ang sipag mo naman. Balita ko kay Venera, matalino ka. Salutatorian ka raw ng batch niyo nu’ng senior high school.”

Venera was really selling me off to River! Halatang-halata siya.

“Yeah. Nagulat din ako nu’ng sinabi nila sa’kin ‘yon.”

We talked for five minutes more bago ako tawagin.

The interview went smooth at pakiramdam ko ay walang makakasira sa araw ko. I was so happy, because I really think that I aced it and I was a hundred percent sure about that. Sabi nila sa akin ay ibibigay na nila ang schedule ko next week. Ang unang linggo raw ay para turuan ako, pero may bayad na rin ‘yon.

I was over the moon as I walked towards the main gate.

“River! Pasok ako!” tili ko. Kaagad ako’ng napayakap sa kanya. Pangalawang beses pa lang namin na nagkita, pero ang lapit-lapit na ng loob namin sa isa’t-isa. He hugged me back, and told me that I did great. He pat my head and smiled at me, and I swear, pakiramdam ko ay tumalon ‘yung puso ko.

He was taller than me—a lot taller, kaya naman napakadali sa kanya na asarin ako tungkol sa height ko. Naglakad kami papunta sa parking lot.

“I thought you’re tall, na baka namalik-mata lang ako the last time I saw you. I stalked your f*******: account, at mukha ka’ng matangkad,” biro niya.

“Thanks, si Venera madalas ko’ng photographer so siya ‘yung sisihin mo kung bakit ako mukhang matangkad,” depensa ko.

“Small creature,” pang-aasar niya.

“Masyado ka lang talagang matangkad,” sagot ko.

Nang makarating kami sa sasakyan ay pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto. Nakuwento niya na umalis na ang daddy niya, kaya’t siya lagi ang may gamit ng kotse nila. “Which is a good thing, because that means mapupuntahan kita kahit kailan ko gusto.”

I chuckled at him. “Saan tayo pupunta? ‘Wag sa mahal ha, wala ako’ng pera pang-gastos sa gano’n.”

River shook his head. “Ako bahala, ako nag-aya eh.”

“Sure ka?”

Tumango si River. He started the car while I sent a message to Venera, saying I went out with River. Tuwang-tuwa siya, at sinabihan pa ako ng good luck date at sa love life ko. Kaagad ko siyang sinabihan na wala naman sinasabi si River na date ‘yung gagawin namin. Nag-aya lang naman siya ng lunch, isa pa, hindi ko naman balak magkaroon ng nobyo.

River asked me a few things about school. Tinanong ko rin siya tungkol sa mga ginawa niya the past few weeks. Tapos ay napag-usapan namin kung saan kami kakain.

My phone rang and seeing that it was Allison, sinagot ko iyon kaagad.

“Ate! Si tito, sinaktan si mama. Ate, naandito kami sa ospital ngayon,” bungad sa akin ni Allison.

Kaagad ako’ng kinabahan dahil sa sinabi niya.

“Ha? Anong nangyari kay mama? Nakausap niyo na ba ‘yung doktor? Kumusta si mama?”

Dahil sa taranta ko ay hindi ko napansin kung gaano kalakas ang boses ko. River looked at me with concern.

“Kasi ate, sinakal tapos tinulak ni tito sa may pader. Dumugo ‘yung noo ni mama,” paliwanag ni Allison.

Nanginginig na ibinaba ko ang telepono.

“I’m sorry, River. Okay lang ba na ibaba mo na lang ako sa pinakamalipit na bus station papunta sa Valenzuela. May emergency kasi sa bahay.”

River’s forehead creased. Tumango-tango siya at saka nagsuggest na ihatid na lamang ako. “It’s not that far. Ituro mo na lang sa’kin if saan kayo sa Velenzuela mismo.

I was so embarassed, hindi ko siya matingnan ng diretso. My family was a mess. Hindi ko pa kailanman nabanggit sa kanya ang tungkol sa pamilya ko. Iniiwasan ko ang topic na ‘yon.

“Sigurado ka ba? Baka maabala kita ng sobra?”

River held my right hands that was resting on my legs. “It’s fine, Angel. May emergency nga ‘di ba. So the sooner you get there, the better, tama?”

Tumango ako habang tinitingnan ang kamay niyang pinipisil ng kaunti ang palad ko. He seemed like a nice guy. I wonder what was his real intention towards me. Bakit masyado siyang mabait sa akin kahit pa isang linggo pa lang kami na magkakilala?