Chapter 3

“Shit,” I moaned as I heard my phone ringing. I opened my eyes. Nabuhay ang dugo ko, like I was obliged to sing “The National Manthem” by Little Mix. “Don’t break your promise. Thou shall be faithful and honest.” Damn. If a doctor told me that I only have thirty-two seconds in my life, I would definitely listen to this perfect song.

“Yes, hello. What do you need in the morning?” I answered the phone without checking who called me but instead of a furious replied, I received a sexy chuckle.

“Blessed, it is already afternoon. You have classes by fifteenth.” I rolled my eyes after hearing my acting Mom’s command.

I groaned. “Can I not not not come to class, G?”

“Blessed, your professor told me that you already ditch two meetings. Dalawa na lang at FA ka na. Gusto mo bang mag-aral na naman for another year instead of graduating this sem? Get up, baby!” I could feel her hype towards me. George was my sub-guardian so her number was the one that was called perhaps. Wala naman kasi si Dad dito and since kilala ni Dad ang mga kaibigan ko mostly, he let that happened.

“I want to sleep more. We drank last night,” I excused.

“Oshlov is a heavy drinker and how does it happen that she is here with me on my break?” she sarcastically asked.

“Fudge, Oshlov. How the hell a demon doesn’t burn in a Catholic school?” I murmured, hoping Oshi heard that. Well, of course, I was on a loud speak.

“Fudge you too. You curse a lot. Father will kick you out of here,” then Oshlov laughed, George too and the guys’ voice. “Hurry up. Baka ma-late tayo,” she shouted.

I TSK-ED and rolled my eyes when I saw my friends laughing as they saw me walking towards them. “Paano ako male-late kung wala akong klase ngayon?”

“Sinong tanga ang hindi tumitingin sa sariling registration form?” Oshlov laughed while clapping her hands slowly. “Happy first day of no class class, Bitch—ow!” She was cut when I threw the thing on my hand to her.

“Careful, Blessed. That’s your phone,” George calmly warned me but I just gave them a glare.

“I don’t freaking care. You all tricked me.” Imbis na gatungan pa, nagtawanan na lang sila pati na rin si Stephen at Rashen na nasa kabilang side ng table.

“Come. Have you eaten a meal already? I will order for you,” George offerred and I just nodded, still annoyed at Oshlov’s face. So she stood and looked for my food. Naiwan kaming apat sa table nina Oshlov, Stephen, at Rashen.

“Where are the others?”

“They’re all in class, maybe, maybe not.” Rashen just shrugged.

I raised a brow. “And how `bout the two of you?”

“I did all the effort to have the same scheds like George. Break ko rin ngayon,” Rashen answered.

“I have the responsibilities as a best bud and to Tito Rayden so I also got the same scheds as them,” so did Stephen while giving me a relax smile.

“Hindi ba kayo nahihirapan?” I pouted. “You already are working at Tito Rayden’s firm tapos last and crucial year niyo na.” I turned to Rashen. “Full-time boyfriend ka pa kay George,” I added.

“Bakit ako lang? Full-time boyfriend din `tong si Pen, low key nga lang,” then he laughed and that made Stephen cough.

I wrinkled my nose. “Hindi ka nagsasabi. May girlfriend ka na?” I pursed my lips, trying to tease him as if I am a mother of a boy.

“H-hindi. W-wala ah!” he replied on a low voice. The usual Stephen Olivar. Maloko naman siya kapag night out and they said, he was really fun but I didn’t see most of it. Tuwing nakikita ko siya, may hold-back siya sa pagiging wild. Mukha naman siyang desente the way he moves, stares, and speaks. Also to notice, Stephen was a good-looking guy. Hooded eyelids suited his tantalizing brown eyes and his turned-up nose complemented his thin lips which he would lick from time to time. Idagdag mo pa na maganda ang built ng katawan niya. No efforts for gym yet he got the body a girl will drool for, though not me.

“Staring game ba `yan?”

“Hindi ko alam, Babe.”

Mabilis akong napaiwas ng tingin kay Stephen nang marinig ko ang tawanan nina Rashen at George na nakabalik na pala. Oshlov was looking at me seriously when I turned to her. My eyes asked her what’s wrong and she rolled hers precious eyeballs.

“Smells something fishy. Do you like Stephen t—I mean do you like Stephen?” Rashen asked which made me laugh.

“What? I was just observing things. I did not mean to stare at him. lol,” I responded and the couple just shrugged. Kinuha ko na ang pagkain na in-order ni George for me.

“Pesto pizza, Puttanesca and fresh juice. Are those fine, Blessed?” George asked for assurance so I smiled and thanked her. Tahimik akong kumain nang biglang nag-tap si Oshlov ng table dahilan para mapatingin ako sa kanya habang subo-subo ang last bite ng pizza.

“Your crush is here, Bitch.” I looked around to check Cydeo. Pasimpleng lingon na akala mo ay walang paki pero nang makita ko siya, my eyes gazed at him for a couple of minutes. Naghahanap sila ng food sa counters kasama ang friends niya on their yellow uniform. Damn, that handsome man. How could I not like him? Fudge this. “You look like a Puttanesca with the spices. Couz, you’re red!” Oshlov laughed, same as George. Napayuko na lang ulit ako at nag-focus sa pagkain.

“You really like him, eh?” George said in disbelief. “I cannot digest it, Blessed. How? I mean, no insult but you two live in different lifestyle,” she stated.

“Cydeo sits in a fancy couch and Ibiza rocks a messed up matress,” Oshlov intervened and laughed.

Bago ko pa maitarak sa ngala-ngala niya ang tinidor na hawak ko, nagsalita na agad si Rashen. “Babe, it’s almost two. We have classes,” paalala niya.

“Okay. Let’s go. Bye, friends!” George kissed me and Oshlov while Stephen and Rashen gave us a high-five.

Naiwan kami ni Oshlov sa table at nakita ko siyang palingon-lingon habang tinatapos ang pagkain ko. Napakunot-noo ako nang bigla niya akong tinignan nang masama kaya sinamaan ko rin siya ng tingin while sipping the last string of pasta in my mouth. “What’s wrong?”

“Cydeo is looking for a table.” My eyes widened and I immediately looked for him but disappointment crossed my eyes when I see them. “The thing is, he is with Mezka,” Oshlov added in a sad voice. I mentally rolled my eyes because I could no longer mess the table I just fixed. Iniurong ko na sa gilid ang plate ko at hihingin kay Oshlov ang phone na ibinato ko pero bigla siyang tumayo at nagsalita.

“Hi, Cydeo! Looking for seats? We have two here,” she stated with a smile. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Hoy, babae, nilalaglag mo ba ako? Umupo na ulit siya at bumulong sa `kin. “Pagkakataon mo na ito,” Oshlov smiled. Lumipat siya sa tabi ko para sa harap namin sina Cydeo at Mezka. Cydeo was in front of me. Shit.

Umupo nga sila sa harap namin at inilapag ang tray at gamit nila. Cydeo spoke, “Thank you?” He stopped. Hindi niya yata alam ang pangalan ni Oshlov. Sasagot na sana ako pero naunang magsalita ang girlfriend niya.

“By, she’s Oshlov,” she said, and I mocked her sweet high-pitch voice in my head.

“Ow. You know my name!” Oshlov was amused.

“Yes?” Mezka was unsure. “Same block kami ni Olivia. Friend niyo siya, `di ba? Magka-group kasi kami ngayon sa isang course. Minsan, napapansin ko yung notebook niya na may picture at names niyo tapos you’re noticeable talaga,” she explained. Olivia had such notebook? Napalingon ako kay Oshlov na napatango na lang na parang wala sa sarili at nilalaro ang straw ng shake niya.

“And you are...” Naningkit lalo ang monolid niyang mga mata na parang hinihintay akong magsalita.

My mouth was already half-opened to answer her when Cydeo spoke. “She is Ibiza Blessed Bartolome.” I saw him licked his lower lip which made me do the same thing unconsciously. Napatitig na rin ako sa mga mata niya na sa 'kin din nakapako.

Fudge! He knew my name! Fulname!