Kabanata 13

“Fortunate!”

I heard him call my name but I didn't looked back. Looking back at him will only cause pain in my heart. Mas binilisan ko ang lakad hanggang sa napadpad ako sa bakanteng silid. I'm about to step inside when he grabbed my wrist. 

“Where are you going?”

Hindi ako sumagot. I get away from his hold and stared at his face. Salubong ang makakapal niyang kilay habang mariing nakatitig sa akin.

“Babalik sa room namin. Ikaw...why are you here?” mahinang tanong ko.

His forehead wrinkled. “Hindi rito ang room niyo.”

“I don't wanna see your face! Iyon ba ang gusto mong marinig?” asik ko.

He sighed. “I'm sorry.”

Natahimik ako. Hindi ko pa rin maalis sa isip ang kahihiyang natamo kanina. Buti nalang hindi ako lumapit sa kaniya.

I don't know how to react in front of him. It's been a week since I saw him. Akala ko pag 'di ko siya nakita ng ilang linggo ay unti-unting mawawala ang nararamdaman ko para sa kaniya, but it became worse. Especially right now that he's in front of me... staring deeply like I'm the only person in his eyes that matters the most. 

“P-Para sa'yo ang kantang iyon,” mahinang saad niya.

Natigilan ako sa narinig. I don't know if I'm deaf or just hallucinating. Pero malinaw ang pagkakasabi niya. My heart stops beating for a second.

 “W-Why would you do that?” I whispered.

“Because I'm sorry. I didn't mean to said those words. Nasaktan kita 'di ba?”

Of course you did. Your words were like knife that stabbed my innocent heart without remorse.

“It's okay. You don't have to apologise. Naiintindihan ko na ang lahat.”

 “But you're avoiding me!” asik niya.

Matabang akong tumawa. “Does it matter? Hindi naman ako nag-eexist sa paningin mo kaya dapat wala kang pakialam.”

Bakit ba ang big deal sa kaniya? Siguro masaya na siya dahil wala nang pabigat na umaaligid. He should be happy with Agatha instead of bothering me!

“Dahil hinahanap ka nang puso ko! I couldn't even sleep at night because you fucking kept on showing in my fucking mind.”

My forehead creased. “Minumura mo ba ako?”

His dimple showed when he bit his lower lip frustratedly. “No!”

“Sumisagaw ka?”

Tumiim ang kaniyang bagang. “Hindi mo ba narinig ang sinabi ko?”

“Alin do'n?”

“I said my heart is aching for you, Fortunate.”

Natahimik ako. I don't know what to say. Nakakabigla man pero nakaramdam ako nang tuwa.

“P-Pero sabi mo hindi mo ako gusto. Wag ka namang paasa, Rius.”

“Manliligaw ako,” determinadong turan niya. My heart sank with unknown emotions. I shook my head and I saw him turned white.

"Kung ginagawa mo lang ito para patawarin kita, wag nalang. You will be forgiven without courting me. I Iove you but I won't ask you to feel the same way.”

Huminga ako nang malalim. Tears welled deep in the corner of my eyes. Nagbara ang aking lalamuman but I tried to speak up. 

“Alam mo bang ang sarap mong mahalin mula sa malayo? Hindi man kita pag-aari, kontento na akong nakikita kitang masaya..kahit sa piling ng iba. This is first time I fell in love, baguhan ako sa ganito pero hindi ko alam na ganito pala kasakit ang magmahal. Napagtanto ko na na tama nga si daddy, hindi ko mamahanap ang taong para sa akin dahil kusa siyang darating.” I smiled bitterly. “Siguro nga hindi pa ikaw iyon.”

I directly look on his mesmerizing eyes. Para akong nalulunod na tila'y hindi na muling makakaahon habang nakatingin doon.

“But I know it will fade eventually. Just give me space and time to forget my feelings about you.  M-Makakalimutan din kita, Console Valerius.” Napakagat ako sa labi. “Layuan mo nalang ako.”

I smiled sweetly at him before turning my back to start walking away from him. At least I will no longer carry this heavy feeling. Nasabi ko na lahat. I wiped my tears gently. 

Pero hindi pa man ako nakakahakbang ay nagsalita na siya.

“Sa tingin mo ba hahayaan kitang kalimutan ako?” aniya sa matigas na boses habang papalapit sa'kin. 

Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan ko nang hapitin niya ang baywang ko mula sa likod papalapit sa kaniya. 

“Even if you'll hate me for it, I won't let you,” he whispered on my ear. Naamoy ko ang mabangong hininga niya na tumama sa pisngi ko. 

“W-What d-do you m-mean?” kinakabahang usal ko. 

I was surprised with his sudden move and actions. Why are you like this, Rius? Are making this hard for me or do you hate me that much?

“Fuck with my opinion! Fuck myself for ignoring and hurting you! I will choose you over it. Hindi ko na kayang makita kang lumalayo sa akin. Give me a chance, please. Let me court you, baby,” masuyong bulong niya. 

Nanindig ang balahibo ko sa batok dahil sinabi niya. I felt my world collapse... everything around me including the flow of my period. Nanlaki ang mata ko nang maalala ang tour! I immediately get away from his hold. 

Tumiim ang panga niya sa ginawa ko. Bumakas ang takot at sakit sa mga mata niya pero agad iyong naglaho. He look darkly at me. 

Napakagat ako sa labi. “I think I'm late for the tour.”

His brows furrowed while looking at me. “Hindi mo pa ako pinapayagan. Say yes first, Fortunate.”

“Oo na!” nahihiyang sigaw ko. 

I blushed when he tilted his head to kiss my cheek. You're not yet my boyfriend. Abusado!

“Tara na,” aya ko. Tumango lang siya at ngumisi.

Magpapahatid nalang sana ako sa room namin pagkatapos naming mag-usap pero sabi niya nasa hall na raw ang lahat kaya roon kami dumeretso. I saw my classmates there. They're already preparing kaya nagpaalam na agad ako kay Rius na lalapit na sa kanila. Tumango lang ito bago umalis.

“Saan ka galing, Fortunate?”  masayang bungad ni Winslet. 

“Diyan lang. Okay ka na ba? You looked happy eh.”

Ngumisi siya sa akin. Nagyayabang. “Okay na kami ni Akiro. Pinansin niya na ako.”

Napangiti ako dahil do'n. I'm glad to know about it. Akala ko matatagalan pa ang tampuhan nila. Gusto kong e kuwento ang nangyari kanina but chose not to. 

“Eh si Cassidy? Okay na ba kayo?”

Ngumuso siya. “Hindi na kami magiging okay no'n. Hayaan mo na siya.”

Tumango lang ako bago tumingin sa paligid. I saw Cassidy talking with the group of people. All girls. She got friends that fast, huh? Wala naman sa itsura niya ang pagiging friendly. 

I look away from her side and fixed my eyes to Professor Pag-asa. He's busy giving instructions to the group of tourists guide which are also a students of UP. Namilog ang mga mata ko nang makita si Rius sa grupong iyon. 

He's one of our tour guide?! 

Sumulyap ako sa puwesto ni Winslet pero masaya silang nagtatawanan ni Aki. I glanced at their side again and he's now talking with 3 boys. Si Justin lang ang nakilala ko sa tatlo. Nanaig ang boses ng isang pilyong lalaki habang inaasar ang katabing nananahimik. Iyong isa naman ay pilit siyang sinisiko na tila sinasaway ito sa pang-aasar. All of them were good looking. I think they are his friends. 

Napasinghap ako nang tumingin siya gawi ko. His gentle stare sent shiver to my spine. I smiled at him. Hindi ako sanay na ganiyan siya tumitig. Napatingin din sa akin ang mga kasama niya. I brushed my hair using my fingers before looking away. 

Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko sa bag to make myself busy. Naisipan kong tawagan si dad but I know he's busy right now so I decided to inform him about the event today.

 To dad:

Hi, dad! We're having our tour inside the university today. I hope you're doing fine. Love you:>

Napangiti ako nang mag reply siya agad.

From dad:

Hmm... I'm glad your Mom let you joined. Keep safe, hija. Enjoy your day. Daddy loves you.

Good thing I didn't informed mommy though. Gusto kong sabihin iyon pero hindi ko na ginawa. I put my phone back in my bag with a smile on my face. 

Nag-angat ako nang tingin at halos himatayin ako sa gulat nang makitang nasa harap ko na siya. My chest slightly tightened. 

“Hey! You scared the hell out of me, Rius!” ani ko habang nakahawak sa dibdib ko.

“I'm sorry,“ banayad niyang sabi. “But why are you too preoccupied with your phone? Nakangiti ka pa ha.” His voice became serious.

“S-Si dad lang 'yon. Bakit ka pala nandito?” tanong ko.

He sighed. “I will introduce you to my friends. Okay lang ba?”

Parang hinaplos ang puso ko sa sinabi niya. Is he serious? He will introduce me to his friends?

“S-Sige.”

We walk towards where his friends are. Nakaramdam ako nang kaba. Will they will like me for him? Hey, Fortunate... what are you thinking?!

The mischievous man was the first one to notice us. A playful smirk was evident on his face. 

“Uy, uy, uy...sino yan, pre? Girlfriend mo? Ayos ah!”

Agad siyang binatukan nang katabi niya. “Tumigil ka! Porke't kasama lang girlfriend na agad? Wag mo igaya sayo si Console, gago!”

“Tsk. Wala eh, ang hirap maging guwapo.” pagmamayabang niya. 

“That's enough. Puro kayo kalokohan. By the way she's Fortunate. I'm courting her kaya wag niyo nang subukan.” pagbabanta niya while slowly snaking his arm around my waist. I felt my cheeks heated. Why are you like that Rius? Mas lalo akong nahuhulog sa'yo eh. 

“Hi... I'm Fortunate Agony,” nahihiyang pakilala ko. 

“Tangina pre ang lambing ng boses. Feeling ko may anghel na bumaba sa langit,” bulong niya sa katabi bago humarap sa akin. 

“Hi, Miss beautiful! I'm Christian Balita but you can call me Chris. Isa lang masasabi ko...ang amo ng mukha mo kaya dapat hindi ka mapunta sa demonyo-- aray naman!” asik niya nang batukan siya ulit ng katabi.

Natatawang tumango ako at hindi na nag-abalang makipagkamay dahil humigpit ang pagkakahawak ni Rius sa baywang ko nang subukan kong iangat ang kamay ko. 

Buti nalang walang nakakapansing iba sa ginagawa niya dahil busy ang lahat para sa tour. If ever I'll get an attention, I will probably run away from this people. 

“Parang gago kasi!” asar na sigaw niya kay Chris bago nagpakilala. “Pasensya ka na ha kinulang kasi iyon sa bakuna no'ng bata pa.  Dexter Abalahin nga pala,” pakilala ng katabi ni Chris. 

Both of them has the same vibes but Chris was the worse. Ngumiti lang ako ng malapad. Rius' friends are funny.

I glanced at Justin but he just nodded.

“Magkakilala kayo?” takang tanong ni Chris.

“Yeah. Nagpunta siya sa suite ko,” I said.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ng dalawa at tinititigan si Justin na parang nakagawa ng isang krimen. “Anong ginawa mo ro'n?”

Umismid lang ang huli at hindi nagsalita.

I smiled. “Don't worry, he's with Rius and Agatha.”

Sabay silang napabuntong hininga na ipinagtaka ko. 

“Pre, akala ko ba si Ags ang gusto mo?” I heard Dexter whispered on Rius. Nagkunwari akong walang narinig. 

“Shut up,” Rius hissed.

“Sayang.”

Napasimangot ako. Even his friend wants him to be with her.

“Don't mind what he has said,” Rius whispered into my ear. 

Tumikhim si Chris at preskong sinuklay ang buhok niya. “Nanliligaw ka palang, 'di ba pre? May pag-asa pa ako. Asawa nga naaagaw, nililigawan pa kaya.”

“Shut up.”

“Naniniwala na ako sa forever simula nang ipakilala ka niya,” pang-aasar pa nito lalo.

Rius ignored him and whispered to my ear. “Hatid na kita.”

Tumango ako at nakangiting nagpaalam sa mga kaibigan niya. They're very nice and funny.

Nagtungo kami sa hall at nakita ang mga nakahilerang bus sa paligid. Mukhang iyon ang sasakyan namin mamaya. 

“Attention, everyone! It's already 9:43 am so we need to hurry up. You can now proceed to your designated bus with your assigned tour guide. Are we clear?” said by our instructor. 

“Yes, sir!”

The deafening sound of excitement filled the hall. Agad kaming nagsilabasan para hanapin ang bus na para sa Tourism students.

“Tabi tayo, Fortunate!” masayang sigaw ni Winslet nang makapasok kami sa bus. Tumango lang ako bilang tugon.

I sat on the side near the window. I want to see the surrounding while having our trip. Umandar na ang sasakyan nang makompleto kaming lahat. 

“Good day to all the students of Tourism Management. I'm Console Valerius Fabroa,  from Architecture department, your tour guide for a day.”

I stiffened on my seat upon hearing his voice. Siya ang tour guide namin?! I glance at him and blushed when I saw him staring at me while speaking kaya umiwas ako nang tingin at itinuon iyon sa labas ng bintana.

“First of all, I would like you to meet our humble driver, kuya Kirt. Say hello to kuya Kirt. And when regards to our rules and regulations, smoking is strictly prohibited  inside but you are allowed to eat. If you have a questions, don't hesitate to call my attention. Are you all excited for out ikot trip, my dear tourists?” nakangiting tanong niya. 

Naghiyawan ang mga kaklase ko including Winslet. Si Aki naman nasa likod namin katabi si Cassidy. 

“While we are waiting for our first destination, let me tell you some things about UP. Throughout its history, UP upholds its mandate as the country's state university shaping minds and producing competent students.”

All of us became silent. Lahat ng mata ay nakatutok lang sa kaniya. He looks friendly and approachable. Parang sa akin nga lang yata siya masungit dati.

“I'm so proud with my baby. I will never regret transferring here just for him,” dinig kong sabi ni Cassidy sa likod. Napasimangot ako dahil do'n. He's courting me!

“Now we are here in our first destination, the Quezon hall.”

Tumigil kami sa harap ng isang gusali na tinawag na Quezon hall. All eyes were fix at it. 

“It is where a replica of the Oblation located. It serves as the iconic symbol of the University of the Philippines. It symbolizes the selfless offering of oneself to his country. They said that a current students of UP...like us, should not have his picture taken with the Oblation. The reason for this is unknown, but they believed that a student will be delayed and fail to graduate on time.”

I'm amazed how he gives us Information and ideas. It looks like he knows every bit of this University. 

“Hala balak ko pa naman sanang magpapicture do'n kasi nagagandahan talaga ako! Pero kung ganiyan wag nalang 'no. I want to graduate on time,” pagmamaktol ni Winslet. Tumawa lang ako sa sinabi niya. 

After our happy trip, pinauwi na kami agad. So far nag-enjoy ako sa mga ginawa namin such as groupings, food trip, and the like. 

“Hatid na kita. I know you're riding with that classmate of yours. Kaya pala okay lang sa'yo na hindi ako pansinin dahil may iba,” pagalit niyang turan.

I smiled sweetly at him. Nagseselos ka ba, Rius? Don't worry I love you. 

“What's wrong with it? Wala namang kaming ginawang masama. Kasalanan mo naman,” paninisi ko pero nakangiti pa rin.

Nanigas ang panga niya pero bumuntong hininga nalang. I felt his hand on the small of my back, pulling me gently towards his body. Hinilig ko ang ulo ko sa dibdib niya.

“I'm sorry. I was just hesitant about our status and situation. You're the princess of the Fariscal family while I'm just...human. Pero pangako magsisikap ako para kinabukasan natin. Just stay with me forever, baby,” he whispered on my ear. 

His voice brought peace within my system. Sumakit ang puso ko sa saya. Akala ko hindi ko siya mahahawakan ng ganito. 

“I will.” Pangako 'yan.

I will never leave your side unless you want me to.