Chasing Light (Intersex)

Chapter 4

Kabanata 4

I glanced at her as we walked, her long dark hair cascading down her back, her slender figure moving with a grace that belied her grumpy personality. I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of emotions: curiosity, frustration, and a hint of attraction.

"Where are we going?" I asked, my voice a little hesitant.

She didn't answer. She just kept walking, her eyes focused on the path ahead.

I sighed, feeling a little bit like a lost puppy. I had no idea what I was doing, but I couldn't help but follow her. There was something about her that drew me in, something that made me want to know more about her, even if she was being so difficult.

We stopped in front of a door. It was plain and unremarkable, just like all the other doors lining the hallway. But there was something about it that made me feel uneasy.

She didn't wait for me to ask any further. She simply opened the door and stepped inside, her movements swift and silent. I followed, my heart pounding in my chest.

The room was surprisingly bright and airy, filled with the scent of fresh paint and new furniture. A large table stood in the center, covered with stacks of papers and books.

"Put those on the table," she said, her voice still sharp, gesturing towards the papers I was carrying.

I quickly obeyed, carefully placing the papers on the table.

She turned to me, her eyes narrowed. "You don't look like a student here, do you?" she said, her voice a low growl. "Based on your clothes."

I felt my cheeks flush with heat. "Actually, miss, I just finished the entrance exam," I said, trying to sound confident.

She just stared at me, her expression unreadable. Then, she walked towards a small drawer beside her desk and pulled out a folded piece of paper. "Here," she said, handing it to me. "It's a map of the campus. Just in case you've passed the exam. It's my responsibility to give this to new students, along with the school guidelines, but since you helped me, consider this my gratitude."

I took the paper from her, unfolding it carefully. It was a detailed map, with all the buildings and pathways clearly marked.

"This is going to be helpful," I said, glancing up at her.

She just nodded curtly, her expression still unreadable. Then, she turned to me, her eyes still narrowed. "You can leave now."

I opened my mouth to ask about something, but she just raised an eyebrow at me, cutting me off.

"Thank you, miss," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "So much for the warm welcome."

I turned and walked out of the room, leaving her behind. I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of annoyance and intrigue. This girl was definitely not like anyone I'd ever met before.

I continued walking, the map in my hand. I had no idea where I was going, but I figured I'd find my way eventually.

Suddenly, a loud rumble echoed from my stomach. I paused, realizing how hungry I was. "Hindi pala ako kumakain," I said, a bit sheepishly, to myself.

I scanned the map again, hoping to find a cafeteria or canteen. I was starting to get a little worried.

"Maybe I should've asked that girl for directions," I thought, but I was too stubborn to turn back.

I continued walking, following the map, my stomach growling louder with each step. The campus was surprisingly large, and it seemed like I was walking for ages. I was starting to get a little worried.

Finally, I spotted a sign that read "Cafeteria." I let out a sigh of relief, and hurried towards it, my stomach grumbling impatiently.

Suddenly, a hand reached out and tapped my shoulder. I turned around, startled, and found myself face-to-face with a girl I vaguely recognized from the exam.

"Hi!" she said, smiling brightly. "Diba ikaw yung nasa harap ko kanina sa exam?"

I blinked, trying to place her.

"Uh, yeah," I said, feeling a little embarrassed that I couldn't remember her. I hadn't really paid attention to anyone during the exam.

"Where are you headed?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

"I was just going to find somewhere to eat," I replied, my stomach growling in agreement.

"Oh, me too!" she said enthusiastically. "I'm starving. Come on, I'll treat you."

"Sure, why not?" Libre na'yan, hindi ako tatanggi!

I followed her, my stomach grumbling happily.

"Let's go, I know where the cafeteria is," she said, glancing at the map in my hand.

I tucked the map into my bag and followed her. We reached the cafeteria, and it was bustling with students. The line to order food was long, and the place smelled of delicious food.

"What do you want to eat?" she asked, her eyes scanning the menu board.

I shrugged. "Anything with rice, I guess. I'm really hungry."

"Okay, let's just head straight to the counter," she said, grabbing my arm and leading me through the crowd. "We can figure out what we want later."

We reached the counter, and she ordered two servings of the university's famous chicken sisig.

"I hope you like sisig," she said, smiling. "It's one of the cafeteria's bestsellers."

"I'm sure I will," I said, my stomach growling in anticipation.

May inabot siyang back card sa cashier then the cashier, with a practiced ease, swiped the card through a small device attached to the counter. She then handed the card back to her, saying, "Thank you!"

As the cashier handed her the two boxes of sisig and two drinks, she noticed I was struggling to carry them both.

"Here, let me help you with that," I said, taking one of the boxes and drink.

We scanned the cafeteria for a vacant table, but it was packed. "Let's just find a table near the window, maybe someone will leave soon," she said.

We found a table near the window, and thankfully, a group of students were just leaving. We quickly grabbed the table and settled down, finally ready to enjoy our meal.

We both dug into the sisig, the savory and spicy flavors hitting the spot. Melissa took a bite and then looked at me, her eyes sparkling.

"You know," she said, "We've been eating together for a while now, and we haven't even introduced ourselves properly. What's your name?"

I laughed, a little embarrassed. "I'm Jaycee," I said, extending my hand.

"Nice to meet you, Jaycee," she said, shaking my hand. "I'm Melissa, but you can call me Mel for short. Melissa is too long."

"Nice to meet you too, Mel," I said, feeling a little less awkward now that we were finally getting to know each other.

"I'm with my friends, though," she said, gesturing toward a table across the room."They're probably wondering where I went kaya bahala silang mag hanap."

She took a bite of her sisig and then looked at me with a mischievous glint in her eye. "So, are we friends now?" she asked, her voice softer than before. "You know, I'm not usually this friendly with new people. But you seem alright."

I hesitated for a moment, trying to understand her tone.

"I think we're off to a good start," I said, smiling. "I wouldn't mind being friends. But I think I need to know you a little better before I can call you my friend."

"Fair enough," she said, a small smile playing on her lips. "But don't worry, you'll get to know me well enough soon. Just wait and see."

We finished our meal, and I felt a pang of guilt. "I should probably head home now," I said, standing up. "It was nice meeting you, Mel."

"Yeah, I have to go too," she said, standing up. "I'll see you around campus, maybe."

"Where do you live?" she asked, her expression suddenly curious.

"I'm from the province," I said. "I just came here to take the entrance exam, and it's a long way from here, so I have to go home. But thanks for the sisig, Mel, it was really great!"

"I can drop you off at the bus station. I'm actually going to be passing by anyway."

Jaycee is surprised. "Are you sure?" she asks. "I don't want to bother you."

Melissa shrugs. "It's no problem," she says. "I'm driving anyway. And it's a long drive, I wouldn't want you to be stuck on a bus all night."

Jaycee is touched by Melissa's offer. "Okay, thank you," she says, smiling. "That would be great."

We walked towards the parking lot, and as we were walking, Melissa suddenly stopped and turned to me.

"You know," she said, a mischievous glint in her eye, "You're really cute and handsome at the same time. I know I'm straight, but I'm kind of getting a little confused by you."

I was so surprised by her comment that I just stood there, speechless. My cheeks burned with heat, and I felt a warmth spreading through my chest.

Melissa just burst out laughing. "Look at your face," she said, "You're as red as a tomato. Are you blushing? I'm just teasing you."

I managed to stammer out a laugh, trying to hide my embarrassment.

"Oo, nag-blush ako pero hindi dahil sa sinabi mo baka dahil sa dami ng sili sa sisig kanina, oo tama ang dami kasing sili!" I said, trying to deflect the attention, but still acknowledging the blush.

We reached the parking lot, and Melissa stopped in front of a sleek, silver car. "My baby," she said, a hint of pride in her voice as she gestured towards it. She then opened the passenger door for me. "Get in," she said, a touch of warmth in her tone.

I nodded, a little surprised by her sudden change in attitude. I slid into the passenger seat as she walked around to the driver's side, her movements smooth and confident.

Melissa then walked around to the driver's side, her movements confident and fluid. She hopped into the seat, adjusted her mirrors, and fastened her seatbelt.

"You're seatbelt please," she said, glancing at me.

I fumbled with the buckle, my fingers clumsy as I tried to figure out how to fasten it.

"Ah, eh, I'm not really good with..." I stammered, feeling a little embarrassed.

Melissa noticed my struggle and chuckled. "Here, let me." She leaned across the seat, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she quickly secured the belt for me. "There," she said, smiling. "All set!"

She then started the engine, and we pulled out of the parking lot, the excitement of the day continuing to unfold.

I quickly turned my attention to the window, trying to hide my blushing cheeks. The campus lights blurred into streaks of color as we drove away, and I found myself lost in the scenery.

Melissa focused on the road, her hands steady on the steering wheel. "You okay over there?" she asked, glancing at me with a knowing smile

"Y-yeah" I replied, still a bit shy.

She nodded then continue driving. After that wala ng nagsalita sa'min sa buong biyahe.

"Here we are!" she announced cheerfully.

I reached for the door handle, but Melissa beat me to it, opening the door for me.

"Napaka gentlewoman mo naman," I joked, a smile spreading across my face. She just laughed.

"Paano ba yan, una na ako ha? I owe you a lot!" paalam na sabi ko nito.

"That's not for free," she replied, shaking her head playfully.

"Sisingilin nalang kita kapag nagkita tayo ulit." Kinindatan pa ako nito.

"Oo na, sige na una na ako" natatawang sabi ko.

I boarded the bus and settled into a seat near the front. As I watched Melissa's car pull away. The bus rumbled to life and started pulling away from the station. I closed my eyes, leaning back in my seat.

"Ang daming nangyari," I sighed, feeling a wave of exhaustion.

"Nakakapagod, mahaba habang biyahe rin ito." So, I decided to give in to the tiredness and let sleep take over.

"Ma'am! Ma'am! "

Nagmulat ako ng mata at napatingin sa paligid, wala ang mga nakasakay.

"Ma'am kanina pa po tayo nandito." Sabi ni manong.

"Ah, sige po salamat po!"

Gano'n na ba kahaba ang tulog ko at hindi ko namalayan ang oras. Kinuha ko ang bag ko at tumayo para lumabas. Nag unat unat na muna ako dahil ramdam ko ang ngalay. Humihikab panga ako, sa tingin ko kulang ang tulog ko.

Pagbaba ko naglakad lakad ako at tumingin tingin ako sa paligid para maghanap ng tricycle na masasakyan.

"Trike po!" sigaw ko habang nakataas ang isang kamay.

May nakita kasi akong tricycle sa malayo kaya tinagaw ko. Pagdating ni Kuya ay sumakay na agad ko. Sinabi ko na ri agad kung saan ako bababa.

"Dito na lang po kuya." Sabi ko kay kuya ng driver.

"Ito na po bayad kuya, keep the change." Sabi ko ng nakangiti.

Binigyan ko siya ng limang daan. Naglakad na lang ako dahil malapit na rin naman. Pagdating ko sa bahay, wala namang tao. They must be in the field, I thought. It was already afternoon. Pumunta na lang ako sa kwarto ko and rested for a bit. Kumuha ako ng towel and went to the bathroom to take a shower. After showering, I just wore a sando and boxer shorts, it was so hot. I dried my hair. Nakakapagod ang araw na ito.

The instructor said we need to wait for a few weeks to know the exam results. Like Miguel said. I didn't pack my things yet, gusto ko muna sulitin ang mga araw kasama sila nanay. Because I know once I start studying, I won't have much time for them. I also need to buy a phone so I can use it for studying and to contact my them, sigurado akong ma-miss ko sila pati na rin itong lugar.

Anyways balik sa exam I'm sure I'll pass the exam. Of course sa poganda at talino kong ʼto! Hays, ako lang ʼto charot, but kidding aside nag-aral talaga ako ng mabuti para rito.

Nahiga na ako sa kamang kahoy dahil tuyo na rin naman ang buhok ko.

Ipinikit ko na ang aking mga mata at nagpalamon sa antok na aking nadarama dulot ng pagod.