Chapter 64
Tahimik ang classroom except for the scratching of pens and the occasional turning of pages. Kairi sat near the front, second row from the center. Nakabuklat ang binder niya na puno ng notes.
A year ago, she would have been sitting at the back.
Back in high school, she had preferred the last row. Doon siya komportable. Tahimik at madaling magtago. From there, kaya niyang tumingin lang sa bintana during lectures at magpanggap na nagsusulat o nakikinig.
Pero ngayon, nasa harap na siya. Kagaya ng last semester niya sa senior high. Ang pinagkaibahan lang, it was her choice this time.
Her pen moved steadily across the page as their instructor wrapped up the lecture. Kairi wasn't copying things mechanically anymore the way she used to. Nakikinig na talaga siya ngayon. Processing habang nagsusulat at inaayos sa isip niya ang mga concept habang dini-discuss.
Nakikinig na talaga kahit iba ang nagtuturo sa harap. And she liked it.
She liked the focus and the satisfaction na naiinintindihan niya agad ang lesson habang ine-explain ito. Natututo siya without pressure.
At the front of the room, their instructor closed the laptop on his desk and adjusted his glasses.
"Before you leave," sabi niya habang nakatingin sa klase. "Your exam results have already been posted in the university portal."
The room stirred immediately. Several students reached for their phones.
"I suggest you check after class," dagdag niya. "And for those who performed well, good job."
Huminto sandali ang tingin niya kay Kairi.
"And Miss Ferrer," he said with a small approving nod. "Excellent work on the essay portion."
May ilang estudyanteng napalingon kay Kairi.
Kairi gave a small polite nod. "Thank you, sir."
"Class dismissed."
The instructor gathered his things and left the room. Pagkasara ng pinto, mas lumakas agad ang usapan ng students habang nag-aayos ng gamit.
Kairi stayed seated habang nagliligpit ng gamit.
"Kairi!"
Hindi niya pinansin ito and her hands moved a little faster as she zipped her bag.
"Kairi!"
Still nothing.
Tumayo siya, isinukbit ang bag sa balikat, at tumalikod na papunta sa pinto.
Just as she took her first step, may humila sa strap ng bag niya na nagpahinto sa kanya sa paghakbang. Then, she turned around slowly.
Her classmate stood there, hawak ang strap habang nakatingin sa kanya.
"Sophie," Kairi said patiently. "What are you doing?"
Tumaas ang kilay ni Sophie. "Hindi mo ba ako narinig?"
"I did."
"And in-ignore mo lang ako?"
Kairi tilted her head slightly. "I was busy."
Binitiwan ni Sophie strap ng bag ni Kairi, then crossed her arms. "Come with us."
Kairi blinked once. "Can't. Pupunta pa ako sa library."
Sophie frowned. "Para saan?"
"To study."
"Pero katatapos lang ng exams."
"And?"
Napatingin si Sophie sa kanya na parang may mali sa sinabi niya. "What are you studying for? Next semester?"
"Studying for next week," kalmadong sagot ni Kairi. "And the week after that."
"Kairi!" Sophie groaned.
"I'll meet you guys later."
"Alam kong hindi ka susunod sa amin."
"Yes, I will."
"No, you won't," ulit ni Sophie habang humaharang na sa dadaanan ni Kairi. "Pupunta ka sa library tapos mawawala ka na naman for three hours."
"That's not true."
"Last time sinabi mong hahabol ka after studying, pero nag-text ka after ilang oras saying na nakatulog ka."
"Nakatulog naman talaga ako."
Sophie narrowed her eyes.
"Kairi."
"Yes, Sophie?"
"Come with us na."
Napabuntong-hininga si Kairi. "Sophie—"
Hindi na siya pinatapos nito. Biglang tinakpan ni Sophie ang bibig ni Kairi gamit ang sariling kamay.
"Please?"
Napakurap na lang si Kairi. After a second, dahan-dahan niyang hinila pababa ang kamay ni Sophie.
"Fine, fine," Kairi finally gave in.
Sophie grinned. "Yey! Let's go!"
At sabay na silang lumabas ng classroom. They continued down the hallway hanggang sa makalabas sila ng building.
Nang malapit na sila sa main gate ng campus, nakita na nila sina Maya at Zoe na nakatayo lang habang naghihintay.
Maya spotted them first and lifted a hand. "Finally! Ang tagal niyo."
Agad na lumingon si Zoe.
Pagkalapit nina Kairi at Sophie, dumiretso agad si Zoe kay Sophie at inakbayan ito.
"You did it!" Zoe said proudly.
Sophie smirked. "Told you, may soft spot sakin 'yan."
Tumawa si Zoe. "Well, cute ka kasi."
Napahawak si Kairi sa sentido niya. "I really don't have time for this."
Maya stepped closer, smiling. "Just this once, Kai."
Napatingin si Kairi sa kanya.
"You deserve a break after exams," Maya continued. "Lahat tayo, deserve magpahinga."
"Besides, you're already here," dagdag ni Zoe. "Might as well sumama ka na."
Tatanggi pa sana si Kairi pero napaisip siya habang nakatingin sa tatlo. Kay Sophie na relaxed na relaxed habang nakaakbay sa kanya si Zoe. Kay Maya na halatang pinipigilang ngumiti nang sobra habang hinihintay ang sagot niya.
Dahan-dahan siyang napabuntong-hininga dahil wala na talaga siyang lusot.
A few months ago, she would have fought harder. She would have slipped away before they even had the chance to stop her.
Ngayon, inayos na lang niya ang strap ng bag niya. "Fine."
Ngumisi agad si Zoe. "Victory!"
Casual lang ang napili nilang restaurant na ilang blocks lang ang layo mula sa campus. It was one of those relaxed spots students frequented at.
Pumasok silang apat at dumiretso sa booth malapit sa bintana. Zoe and Sophie sat side by side on one side of the table. Across from them were Kairi and Maya.
They ordered food almost immediately.
Habang naghihintay ng order, yumuko si Zoe palapit kay Sophie at bumulong sa tenga nito. Sophie snorted softly, nudging Zoe with her shoulder.
Tuloy lang ang bulungan nila at parehong mukhang amused sa sarili nilang usapan. Sa kabilang side ng table, tahimik lang silang pinapanood nina Maya at Kairi.
Kairi rested her chin lightly on her hand. After a moment, nagsalita siya.
"You know," she said thoughtfully. "Minsan kapag nakikita ko kayong dalawa nang ganito, naiisip ko ang first meeting niyo."
Napalingon si Zoe. "Oh?"
Mabagal na tumango si Kairi.
"The first time na nagkatitigan kayo," pagpapatuloy niya. "Right in front of me."
Sophie raised an eyebrow.
"And sometimes," Kairi added. "I think about what would have happened if humarang ako sa pagitan niyo."
Zoe squinted at her. "What?"
"What if I had stopped you right at the door?" Kairi continued, completely serious. "What if hindi kita pinapasok sa room that day?"
Maya snorted.
Diretso lang si Kairi. "Then maybe hindi kayo nagkakilala. And maybe Zoe wouldn't have anyone to send para pilitin akong sumama sa inyo."
Sumandal si Zoe sa seat niya. "First of all," she said dryly. "We still would have met."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes," Zoe said confidently. "Because...fate."
Biglang natawa si Sophie.
Kairi rolled her eyes. "Please."
Zoe pointed at her. "Also, don't blame Sophie for this. Kaya kitang kaladkarin palabas mag-isa."
"Unlikely."
"I absolutely could, Kai."
"Try me."
Aliw na aliw si Sophie habang pinapanood sila. Si Maya naman napailing na lang.
"Para kayong mga bata kung magbangayan," Maya said.
"Hindi kaya," protesta agad ni Zoe.
"It's true, babe," singit ni Sophie.
Kairi crossed her arms.
"All I'm saying is kung hinarangan kita that day, mas tahimik sana ang buhay ko ngayon."
Zoe gasped dramatically. "Unbelievable!"
Sakto namang dumating ang food nila. Isa-isang nilapag ng server ang plates sa harap nila kaya naputol ang bangayan ng dalawa.
For a moment, the table went quiet as they all looked down at the food.
Then Sophie leaned closer to Zoe and whispered something.
Zoe immediately started laughing.
Napabuntong-hininga na lang si Kairi habang inaabot ang tinidor niya. "I regret everything..."
Maya just chuckled beside her.