FOR THE past few days, Shanta had become more possessive of Euart. Wherever he goes, she’s there, following and guarding her precious gem against potential threats. Imbes na si Euart ang bumibisita sa kanya sa silid-aralan, si Shanta ang bumibisita sa kanya sa kabilang building. One time, she even brought red tulips for him in one of his classes to express how profoundly in love she was. But it didn’t end there. Nagtawag pa siya ng mga kasamahan niya sa kanilang feminist org to make it more special, but they looked more like female gangsters. Hindi ko alam kung bakit mas tumaas ang bakod ni Shanta para sa kaibigan namin. She wasn’t like that before. Sa katunayan, magaan ang pagkakaibigan nila ni Art noon. I was hoping they could click together and have a real score. But when he had brought the girl during the acquaintance party, parang may nagbago kay Shanta. Plus, narinig n

A MONTH HAS PASSED and September has come. Abala ang mga estudyante sa kani-kanilang requirement dahil malapit na ang intramurals. It was a sports event everyone couldn't miss. Hindi magiging masaya ang palaro kung may sagabal na mga gawain. It's better to sweat now and rejoice later than party now and suffer later. But that depends on the person. Pero para sa akin, it's very efficient. I fixed my goggles as I climbed on the platform. Nasa indoor swimming pool ako ng school kung saan gaganapin ang event. The turquoise water below me escalated my blood. Today is the tryouts for potential swimmers who would compete against the higher levels. Kailangan kong ibigay ang lahat ng makakaya ko para maging parte ng SU Swimming Team. This is not just a recreational activity, but to me, it's my burning passion to dive under the freezing water. 

THE OVERLOADED SWEETNESS was too much to bear between the new couple, Euart and Shanta. Halos maumay kaming magkakaibigan sa tuwing nakikita silang naglalambingan. Or maybe, ako lang.   In the past few days, I felt quite uncomfortable around them because, perhaps, I still can’t get over the incident that happened last June. Unti-unti, pinapatay ako.   Sinisira nito ang kaayusan ng utak ko. Sometimes, I would wish na sana hindi ko na lang sila makita sa susunod pang mga araw.   And the kiss… that one intimate kiss under the moonlight beside the sparkling sea! Kung maaari ko lang basagin ang bungo ko at tanggalin ang natatanging memoryang nakakubli roon ay gagawin ko. Matagal na akong naging pakwan kapag biniyak ko ito.  

"OH, KATLEGO? Ano ka ngayon? Olats ka ulit sa 'kin…" Shanta teased him Katlego. Pero he just made a face. Sumunod na tumingin si Shanta kay Lachlan. "Ikaw na ang manlilibre, 'tol. Ako na lang ang desisyon sa restaurant na pagkakainan natin. Doon na lang tayo sa BonChon mamaya. Gusto niyo ba ro'n? Masarap 'yong manok dun." Nagtanong pa siya kung siya naman pala ang desisyon. "Gesi lang, Insan. Pero maggugulay na lang ako…" ani Clavis, saka tila biglang may salitang nasa dulo ng kanyang dila. "Anong tawag ulit dun? 'Yong gulay na may maanghang na red paste. 'Yong mukhang pechay na medyo may amoy pero masarap pa rin…" he described. "I dunno what ya sayin', bruh!" Walang kwentang sumagot si Katlego. "Baka si Lach, alam niya…" "Ewa

DALI-DALI akong tumakbo at pumasok sa kwarto ng ibang section. Hinihingal, natigil ako sa bukana ng pinto and there I saw Shanta's back. She was talking to a girl who was in front of her, but with a face I couldn't see. Nakadikit sa pader ang babae at tila may pinag-uusapan silang seryoso.   "Shanta," bano ko. Pagod na pagod akong lumapit sa kanya. "Come on. Let's go. We'll handle this on our own-"   "Ahh! I hate you!" Biglang napaatras si Shanta dahil sa malakas na sigaw, na natitiyak kong hindi sa kanya.   "Shanta!" Nataranta ako at sinubukang alalayan siya. But she just raised her hand at me, warning my naughty ass to not get involved. "Shanta, you need my help. So, please..."   Her hair was all over her face as