Arch of the Centuries

13

MIKA’S POV

I woke up early than usual, Nagtimpla ako ng kape at bumili ng pandesal sa isang bakery na katapat ng dorm namin.

Alas syete pa lang ng umaga at halos nagawa ko na lahat ng dapat kong gawin, nakakain na ‘ko, nakaligo, nakapag handa na ng mga gamit para sa presentation mamaya tungkol sa criminal law at ngayon, naubusan na ko ng gawain.

Kaya’t naisipan ko na lang pumasok ng mas maaga o kaya naman ay tumambay na lang sa carpark mamaya habang inaantay ang pagpatak ng oras sa unang klase.

Mabuti na lang hindi ko nakalimutang dalahin ang scarf na regalo sakin ni mama noong last birthday ko, anlamig pa naman ng simoy ng hangin ngayon.

Pagpasok ko sa Starbucks ay may nakasalubong ako palabas na isang lalaki na naka medical uniform.

“Good morning, ma’am, We have a special promo for you today since you’re the lucky first customer to enter the shop, you’ll receive a free sample of our newest product, the mint choco cake for free.” bungad ng babae sa Counter.

“Hindi po ba yung lalaki kanina yung unang customer niyo?” nagtataka kong tanong.

“Yes, po. He instructed me po kasi na sa second person na lang raw po ibigay, maybe he doesn’t like the flavor po.” pagpapaliwanag nito.

“Dapat pala magpasalamat ako sa kaniya,” sabay ngiti naming dalawa.

“Anything else po?” dagdag na tanong nito.

“Yes, uhm.. isa pong vanilla late, sugar free vanilla syrup po. I’m not into too much sweets kasi.”

“Got it po. Wait na lang po tayo, I’ll call your name when the order is ready na po. Thankyou.”

Tumango na lamang ako at nagbayad na. Naglibot muna ako saglit at nakita ang isang upuan at table sa isang gilid na malapit sa may window glass, malayo ito sa tapat ng aircon kaya’t dito na lamang ako umupo.

Nakaramdam ako ng init matapos kong umupo rito na tila ba’y mayroon ng naunang umupo sa pwestong ito.

“Yung lalaking iyon kaya ang naupo rito?” tanong ko sa sarili.

Ilang minuto na ang lumipas at hindi ko namalayang kanina pa ‘kong nakatulala rito sa may labas ng bintana, nakahalumbaba. Pinagmamasdan ang mga berdeng dahon na pumapatak mula sa punong nakapaligid sa bakod ng University.

Punong-puno ng mga bayarin at deadline ang utak ko, hindi sapat ang nakukuha kong allowance mula sa pagiging scholar, dagdag pa ang mga bayarin sa dorm at pang araw-araw kong gastusin. Talaga ngang mahirap mamuhay rito sa Maynila.

Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako habang iniisip ang aking mga problema.

Nabalik ako sa reyalidad matapos kong marinig ang pag tunog ng pinggan at makita ang malamig na puting usok galing sa drink na inorder ko kanina.

“Here.” bulong niya habang inilalapag ang aking order.

Hindi na ako nakapag pasalamat pa dahil mabilis rin itong naglakad palayo at lumabas ng Store. Hindi ko masyadong nakita ang kaniyang mukha sa bilis ng pangyayari o baka naman talagang napatulala na lamang ako at hindi nakagalaw sa biglaang pagsulpot niya sa harapan ko.

VINCE’S POV

“Goodmorning class, for todays lesson we’ll talk about microbiology and viruses. Also we will gonna have a group project about the said topic I’ll announce the groupings later on, for now open your books on chapter 5, page 67.” Mrs. Villamor said, our Biochem teacher.

Nagsimula na ang aming first class but my mind was left out to that girl. I’ve been seeing her without noticing, something about her is making me excited. She’s a mystery to me, good thing that’s my favorite movie genre.

“Uhmm-”

“Mr. Enriquez, do you mind sharing your thoughts to the class?” she called out me.

Sh*t. Why am I day dreaming. I should be focusing on the lecture.

“Nothing ma’am.” I answered.

“You’re not the type to space out. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing much ma’am, I didn’t get enough sleep last night.” I lied.

“Really? Then why are you the very first student I saw in the room? You’re earlier than the class president.” tanong nito habang itinataas ang salamin sa mata. Terror talaga. Patay.

“Sorry, Ma’am.”

“Would you please read and answer the question on your textbook, page 73?”

I forgot to put my book on my table so I hurriedly opened my bag and get it, mabilis kong binuksan ito at hinanap ang question from page 73. I can tell na she’s getting impatient.

“What is microbiology and what is the study all about?” i read while looking at her deep and wide eyes pointing on me and me only.

“Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, archaea, fungi and protozoa. This discipline includes fundamental research on the biochemistry, physiology, cell biology, ecology, evolution and clinical aspects of microorganisms, including the host response to these agents.”

I didn't stutter; in fact, I recall getting no sleep at all in order to advance read so that I could come up with ideas. Glad it worked out after all.

“I see, you might have studied it in advance.”

“I hope your blockmate here serves as a role model for you, class. Not for not paying attention, but for reading and studying ahead of time. Thank you, Mr. Enriquez.” she complimented me.

I sit down and start to pay attention infront. I hope that girl won’t double cross my mind this time.

“Now, look at the board…” Mrs. Villamor instructed.

The class discussion continued and before our professor left, she announced first the groupings and members for our project in Biochem.

While packing my things up for the next class, one girl stood in front of me.

“Hi, Vince right?” she asked.

I nodded.

“Im Xandra, one of your members for the project. Nice to meet you.”she offers her hand.

And as a silent, cold hearted guy I am…I didn’t shake it. I just looked at her. And nodded for the second time. I continued packing my things while she was there standing in front, like a shadow of mine.

She handed me the eraser expecting I’ll say thank you. But I just get over it and fixed my things to get off immediately.

She softly ask, “Hey, I’m one of your members, naparinig mo ba?”

I stand up, “Yeah, I got the point. Are we good now?” I asked, coldly.

“Yes, sorry if naistorbo kita.”

“No, but if you’ll still stand there, that’s when you’ll disturb me.” I directly said, she instantly moved out of the way.

I smiled. And left the room. I know I’m harsh, but that’s who I am. That’s a part of me that’s keeping me away from others and I’m good with it.

Seconds turn to minutes, minutes turn to hours, finally all my class for today is over. I’m heading towards the Grandstand na since that’s what coach said.

It’s 2:50 in the afternoon, I’m starting to feel sweaty. I cover my face with my right hand as the heat of the sun's rays hits directly to my eyes.

“Vince, you’re early,” bungad sakin ni Coach.

Pagkarating ko sa lugar ay wala pa ang mga ka team mates ko, I’m ten minutes early at tanging si Coach Brian pa lamang ang naroon.

Habang nagaantay sa iba ay kinausap muna ‘ko ni Coach.

“Kumusta ang kapatid mo?” He asked.

“He’s recovering coach, it’s just a mild head injury lang naman but he needed to stay on the Hospital for a week before they send him home, which is today.”

“Glad, he’s okay.” nakangiting sabi nito.

“How about your kuya Ken? Antagal ko nang walang balita sa kaniya. Nasaan na siya? Did he went abroad? sunod-sunong na tanong niya.

Ngumiti ako ng bahagya at tumingala sa kalangitan, “He’s in good hands.” I softly said

“Anong ibig mong sabihin? naguguluhang tanong nito. You can see it in his eyes that he already knows the answer but he wants to hear it from me.

“He’s gone.” I’m still looking at the sky. “He’s in a better place, where he won’t feel pressure anymore.” ani ko habang ang mga mata’y nakapako sa bughaw na tila karagatang langit sa itaas ng mga ulap.

“Hindi ko alam. Ang buong akala ko’y nagpunta na siyang ibang bansa kaya’t wala na kaming narinig sa kaniya matapos ang ilang taon,”

“Naaalala ko pa na sa tuwing mananalo kami sa laro at magkakaroon ng party o celebration, ni isang beses hindi siya pumupunta sa kadahilanang ayaw niyang maiwan ang bunso niyang kapatid magisa sa bahay,”

“Palagi niyang ipinagmamalaki kung gaano ka katalino at kahusay maglaro ng basketball at nagmana ka raw ng kagwapuhan sa kaniya.” Pagkekwento pa niya.

As coach talks about him talking about me, I'm starting to get emotional. He has always shown me so much love and care throughout my life, and he constantly prioritizes me over everything else, including himself.

It hurts me knowing I'm the one who killed him. I'll carry that regret and continue hating myself till the day I die.

“What happened? Bakit siya namatay?” tanong ni Coach.

I'm at a loss for words. I am the reason he is no longer here. Tears welled up in my eyes, and that question shattered my heart into a thousand pieces.

“Because of me…” he didn’t let me finish and he just hug me in a matter of seconds.

“Sorry for asking, if it’s too personal you don’t need to answer.” he calmed me.

As I was composing myself, a minute of silence followed, and tears began to dry from my eyes.

“Let’s keep going, son. It’s your first day training with your teammates, good luck!” he composed me.

Dumating na ang iba kong team mates habang ang tatlo kong kaibihan na sina Lance, Drake at Renzo ay hindi pa rin sumusulpot, late pa rin sila as usual.

“Vince this is Drex, one of your seniors, he will take care of you guys for his remaining years.”

“Hi, I’m Drex, number 08, the team’s captain of Growling Tigers.” he offers his hands, not gonna lie, he’s intimidating.

I offered my hand as a sign of respect.

“Hi captain, I’m Vince. I’ll be on your hands starting today.”

“Good, I heard a lot of things about you from Coach. Let’s get the championship this year.”

“I hope the things you heard are good ones, cap.” I smiled, he reminds me of Kuya Ken. I think we will get along together.