I Envy You

04 | DEAL

Rhysand's Point of View

"This is a one of the very important academic ritual as you freshmen and women are allowed to experience the word 'beginning' of your college life here. To tell you, we always do this every year to welcome our great and rookie students but there's this magic where I have always felt like it is an event happening for the first time..."


We have been here for 40 minutes now. Sa tuwing titingin ako sa kaliwang bahagi ko ay ang mga pamaypay nila ang pumupukaw sa atensyon ko. Ganon rin sa mga nasa harap. Dahil sa raming enrollees ngayong taon ay napuno ang buong stadium dahilan ng nakakairitang init. My mouth does not complain, my mind does. It's cursing.


Nadapo ang tingin ko sa hawak kong phone. Isang chat ang bumungad sa akin galing sa group chat. A classmate. Deianira Hecate Montealgre.


Deianira Hecate: Hi! I am your classmate. Hindi kasi nagr-reply sina Gema at Maui sa message ko. May I ask where y'all?


Seems like I'm not the only one who's late. Walang ibang naka seen sa message niyang 'yon kung hindi ako lang kaya ako na rin ang sumagot sa tanong niya. I responded where I am and she can find me immediately by telling her what I am wearing right now.


A cream shirt and an eyeglasses.


Ilang sandali ay nagmensahe itong narito na siya. Nang iangat ko ang paningin ay agad niya naman akong nakita. I smiled and nod a bit saka ito lumapit sa akin at umupo sa vacant seat sa tabi ko.


Based on her looks, she does look well-free but more cautious.


"Things will go wrong. But the growth and learning will come from how these things are going wrong and made right by the person they are happening to. This is where your support is helpful – not by fixing things but by reassuring the students that they have it in them to preserve. That they have the tools both within themselves and within our loved De Alicante University. Every issue is a goal and every goal met, no matter how small, helps to work towards the larger goals of independence and adulthood – and of course, a degree."


Napatango ako sa huling salita nito. I'm glad they chose a 'not boring' speaker. He's loud, cheerful, approaching, and very detailed on his words. Patunay ang mga istudyanteng nakangiti sa bawat salitang lumalabas sa bibig nito.


I received another notification. This time it came from the Land Bank. It is an OTP for an online purchase at Dior New York. Isang iling ang pinakawalan ko. Kailan ba siya titigil? I just turned my phone off and pretended I didn't see the message.


"They will expand their worldview. They will learn to live. They will do great things. And our University's challenge is to guide the students without pushing, support them without carrying.... Thank you."


Hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang meron sa sinabi ng speaker for the other women professor to be emotional. I understand the whole thing. Hindi lang siguro ako masyadong interesado. I just like the thought of having this orientation dahil parang leisure time namin than having a different one. But I don't like me be in it.


Nahuli ko ang ibang nagpunas ng papa-takas na luha. Kaming mga ustudyante naman ay nagsipalakpakan. The speaker with the Dean did a hand shake before he took the spotlight to add more important stuffs about our schedules, places, and basic rules. Madali naman intindihin kaya natapos din agad.


"Thank you," Deianira said before we parted ways after the orientation. Sumama na siya doon sa dalawa niyang kakilala. Some of the students waited for the others to go out.


Doon ko lang din tinawagan ang taong naging dahilan kung bakit ako nakatanggap ng OTP from the Land Bank.


"Gwen," I called her name while trying to walk past with the other students. Nauuhaw na ako. I need to buy some water. "What shit did you buy, again?"


Sa hina ng boses ko ay napaangat ng tingin pa rin sa akin ang ilang studyante. Kaya naman binilisan ko ang makalabas.


"What's the OTP? It's a skincare product, son."


Napa iling ako sa sinabi nito. A skincare product? Someone tell me she's my mom and not somebody else.


Pagkalabas ko sa building ng auditorium ay mas lalong dumami ang mga studyante. Base sa kanilang ID, they're not freshmen. Mukhang kararating lang nila at pumasok lang for their important class announcements. Kaya ayos kahit anong oras pa.


"Hindi mo ba ako kayang ituring na isang magulang? What's with the 'Gwen'? Ilang taon kitang inalagaan pero ito ang isusukli mo sa akin?"

Inilayo ko ang phone ng ilang sandali sa tenga ko saka bumuntong hininga ng malakas. She's at it again. I used to call her by her name since we lived abroad. Tinatawag ko lang siya sa  pangalan niya sa mga pagkakataon na hindi ko nagugustuhan ang mga ginagawa niya. We do not have that big assets anymore and yet here she is asking for an OTP so she can purchase a skincare product?


"097933." Agad ko na lamang na sagot dahil alam kong mas mahaba na naman ang sermon niya at tapos na rin ang 5 minutes for the time given to register it. "Please don't touch what I've earn. That's for my tuition fee, mom."


"Wait. Expired na. Send me the other PIN." Pambabalewala niya.


I saw another notification as she requested a new one again. Ibinigay ko ang pangalawang PIN by copy and pasting it.


"Where's Dad?"

"He is at the Casino."

"Really?" I almost sounded sarcastic. Hindi ako makapaniwalang nagagawa pa nila 'yon. "Mom, kailangan ko pa bang pagsabihan kayo? We're not rich anymore!"


Damn. I never signed my life to tell them what's wrong and right. Not at this young age.


"If Dad will not stop his addiction, mapipilitan akong iuwi kayo rito sa Pilipinas."


I sound more like a 'parent' than them. Mainit ang panahon pero hindi ko aakalain na mas iinit ang ulo ko dahil sa kanila. I found my way to the canteen. I need to freshen up my mind.


"Fine. Fine. But if you receive another OTP again, send it to me immediately, okay?"


Tumigil ako ng tayo sa harap ng pinto ng canteen at ipinarinig sa kaniya ang nawawalan kong ganang buntong hininga. "One more chance, Gwen. Kung hindi kayo titino ni Dad, I will cut all of your funds and bring you both here."


Napatahimik ang kabilang linya. It's her weakness.


"I am going to start again. Can you support me instead of making a ruckus? Please." I demand.


I ended the call and walk inside the canteen. Ang ingay ay nawala na ipinagtaka ko. Palihim ang kanilang tingin na ipinag alala ko. Nakita ko pa ang babaeng nagsasalinng tubig sa kanyang tumbler. Tumulo ang ilang tubig bago niya 'to naayos.


I went near the cashier area and bought a cold bottled water. Nang makuha ay nadapo ang tingin ko sa babaeng nagsasalin pa rin ng tubig hanggang ngayon sa kanyang tumbler. Her back is facing me pero bahagyang nanginginig ang mga kamay nitong iyon lang ang kita ko.


Kanina pa ata siya nagsasalin diyan.


I just left the canteen immediately at sa labas na lamang ininom ang tubig. Naupo na rin muna ako sa isa sa nagkalat na benches habang naghihintay ng further information from our group chat.


Another notification received. Mapapadalas na rin pala ang pagtingin tingin ko kahit hindi dapat.


'Stefanie Kyle Munoz is waving at you.'

'Pst'

'Pst'

'Accept'


I turned my phone off and drink the whole bottled water. Medyo tinatamad akong mag respond. At base sa mga chats niya, mukhang wala naman siyang mahalagang sasabihin. I know it's an early judgment but I just know.


20 minutes akong nakaupo rito when finally Tihana called. Agaran ko itong sinagot kasabay ng pagtayo ko.


"Tara na. Where are you?"

Wala man lang pa 'Hello'? muna?


Nilakad ko ang distansya pabalik sa auditorium kung saan mas nadagdagan ang students ngayon dahil sa mga sophomores na mag kakakilala. Ang iba ay may sari sariling hawak ng manual book na libreng ibinigay kanina sa orientation na ginawang pamaypay. Hindi pa natatapos ang paglabas ng iba.


"I can see you." I said immediately. Hawak nito ang flag ng section namin at naroon siya sa front area. I smirk seeing how haggard she is. "Para kang matanda. Can you fix your hair?"


At inayos niya nga ang buhok niyang nililipad.


"I'll come there. Don't move. Hayaan mo munang lumabas ang ibang courses. Fix yourself first."


"Ito naman, pa fall!"

What? I'm not.


"Linalait mo ako o pinoprotektahan?"


Napataas ang isang kilay ko. "Concern ako sa sarili ko. Imagine, saying that I know you. Uh.. I can't digest their reactions if that will happen." I said teasingly.


Nang makalapit sa kanya ay mas kita ko na ang busangot nitong mukha with the calmness on her voice.


"Bwiset ka! Wala ka rin namang looks, duh!" Pag susungit niya. Kinuha ko ang flag sa kanya right after I ended the call at tumayo sa tabi niya.


"Alam kong tinatago mo lang ang paghanga mo, Tihana. You're a bad liar." Pang aasar ko. Half of the reason has proof that I myself know.


I smirk with my lips down ward. Para siyang nainsulto ng husto sa sinabi ko at hindi makapaniwala.


"Ikaw rin lang naman ang president. Can I ask what role should I portray?" Humarap ako rito. Nalala ko ang chat ni Stefanie. "Cold or friendly?"


Lalo na't may mga bago akong kaklase at makikilala ngayon. I don't know how to act with them. Baka siya, alam niya.


"Bakit mo natanong?"

"Should I reply to someone's message or not?"


Kumunot ang noo nito. "Yeah! You should! I will elect you as their representative later." She then let out an evil laugh with her eyes darting on mine. Pailalim ang titig nito sa akin.


"T. No." I declined right away. "You know that I am not a leader material."

"Eyyy! Our grade 12 research teachers says otherwise though."


Ayoko pa rin. That happened two years ago. Hindi ba pwedeng baka tamad na ako ngayon hindi ko lang alam?


"If you will elect me as the new representative, sweldohan mo ako. Or. Libre mo ako ng lunch and dinner for the whole school year." Pang hahamon ko. But the hidden agenda is to never become a representative. Alam kong barya lang sa kanya ang pera pero nakakasawa naman kung araw araw niya akong ililibre. She must say no and her request for me will be declined. Nakangiti pa akong sinabi 'yon.


"Sounds easy for me. You don't want me to treat you breakfast as well?"


Nawala ang pagkakangiti ko. I think of another adds on. "How about my dormitory?"


That's too much though.

"Eliminate breakfast. Just pay for my rent expenses. Deal?"


Tihana crossed her both arms in her chest and smiled widely. "You don't wanna live in our house?"


"Is that an option?" Lumawak ang ngiti ko. That's better.

"Why not!?"

"Deal! I will be the representative for one semester!"


Bigla niya akong hinampas sa braso. "Ano ako, bobo? Let's have a fair and square deal, Mr.!"


Kunwaring nasaktan ako sa hampas niya at hinagod ito.


"I will let you live in my house for the whole school year in exchange of being the representative. And..."

"Huh?"

What 'and'?


"Be my alalay."


May pahabol na kontra pa sana ako nang mauna na siyang maglakad habang naka krus pa rin ang braso sa kanyang dibdib. I stared at her back. Seriously? I know what she wants when it comes to that word! Damn, paper works.


"Pwede pong makahingi ng tubig?" A girl approached. Itinuro nito ang bandang likuran ko kung saan may mesa at may ilang box ng bottled water doon for free. I didn't know.


Kumuha ako ng isa at ibinigay sa kanya. "Here."


"Thanks po!"


Sinundan ko si Tihana. Baka mapagkamalan oa akong worker dito o taga bigay ng tubig.


We both have lunch outside the campus. Punuan ang canteen at ang cafeteria nila kaya naman no choice na. Isa pa, wala rin namang ibang gagawin. We can all go home as long as we're done with our attendance.


Tihana has been very talkative since then. Ilang beses niya pang namura ang future projects niyang hindi niya pa naman nasisimulan. All I did was to save my face and hid it with my hand while listening to her. She's a bit loud na siyang nakaka distract ng iba.


Hapon nang makabalik ako sa dorm. I took a shower and changed into new clothes. Saka ko lamang naalala ang sinabi ni Tihana na dapat maging friendly ako kaya naman inaccept ko ang request message ni Stefanie to avoid problem as well. Baka magkaroon pa ako ng kaaway kapag na elect na ako as their representative.


Rhysand: I don't usually use my Facebook account. Is replying enough?

Stefanie: Nooooo! Why naman po? Were classmate naman huhu! Nakausap niyo na nga ako kanina. Ako yung humingi ng tubig sa inyo, hihi!


Oh, she's that woman?


Rhysand: Not today though, focus on studying.


She then asked kung galit ba ako. I immediately told her hindi pero wala pang limang segundo ay sunod-sunod na ang mensahe niya na ikina iling ko.


Stefanie: Sungit mo pala! Bait-bait mo kanina, e!


Kung hindi lang ako magpapa elect as representative, I wouldn't mind to respond. But I need to.


I exited the messenger and went to grab app. I need food for dinner.