Chapter 4

Lips

Bumunot ako ng papel sa fish bowl at binigay ko ito sa host.

"Becoming a good influence."

Good Influence agad? Alec's answer better be good.

"Mr. Alvidrez, your 30 seconds starts now.

"On becoming a good influence, It does not remove the fact na kaming mga leaders ay hindi nagkakamali. But what we can assure you is that I will keep doing what I had to do for the good of my fellow students and campus."

Nabingi na naman ako sa sigawan ng mga tao dito partikular na ang mga kababaihan. Inayos ko ang salamin ko sa mata.

"Ms. Llorente, Your 30 seconds starts now."

"As a student with a prestigious name and records since I was in High School. I am sure that I will be able to carry the name of our school with most respect."

"But being in this school for a longer time doesn't mean that you can surpass the abilities of others." Biglang singit niya.

"Excuse me, Mr. Alvidrez. As a student in this university for 6 years is an obvious advantage. I had my eyes open to the issues that we've been facing for the past years I've been in this school."

"Pero it's not about how long you've been in this school. But your capability. I know I'm new to this school but that doesn't make me less of what I can do." Sagot niya.

"Really? Students and Teachers have witnessed how good I am with my academics and leadership skills. I've been a Student Government President when I was in my 2nd and 4th year in High School. And I can say that they've seen my abilities. Pero paano ka? How can the students in this campus can be assured that a newbie like you can do their job properly. How about you carrying the name of the school? Are you sure you cou—"

"Your 30 seconds is over. Mr. Alvidrez, You may proceed."

"Wait right there, Ms. Llorente. What are you saying about carrying the name of the school? You think that I cannot handle it well?"

"I think so based on what I've witnessed last night." Sagot ko.

"And what is that, hmm?"

"I'm sorry but this looks like a really sensitive information but I just want our school to be informed. I saw you with my own two eyes, You are touchy and really really close to a girl on a bar last night. I went there to go unwind with my friends. Then I eventually saw you outside a cubicle."

"Yes? Really? Where's your proofs?"

"You want proofs? Sure, Ilan ba kailangan mo?" I sarcastically asked.

Nilabas ko iyong phone ko at ni-scroll ko ang camera roll. Bingo! Nahanap ko na ang selfie ko na nakuhanan siya na nakikipag-lampungan.

"Are you sure that's me?" Tanong niya.

"Yes, Mr. Alvidrez."

"You know what, Miss... What's your name again? Oh, Ms. Liv Cameron Llorente? Kung inggit ka na walang humahalik sayo, feel free to ask me. Pagbibigyan naman

kita."

"Are you insane, Mr. Alvidrez?" Uminit ang pisngi ko.

What the f*ck was that? Sinabi mo talaga yun in public? In a school? In a debate for presidency? Napaka presko, bastos, at manyak mo!! Ang init ng ulo ko sa kanya!!

"What I can say about this is that once you have responsibilities, It doesn't end when your shift for the day is finished. You carry your responsibility with you even when you're out of the school premises for you are carrying the name of the school wherever you go because you are the Student Government President. Kaya nararapat lang na maging responsable tayo sa pagpili ng susunod na SG-President, dahil nasa huli ang pagsisi pero nakasisiguro ako na, Lahat ng gampanin bilang isang presidente at estudyante ay aking magagampanan. Salamat!"

I can clearly see with my 4 eyes na ang panga ni Mr. Alvidrez. Tinapos ko na ang debate at bumalik na ako sa backstage. Hanggang ngayon ay di ko malimutan yung sinabi niya sa akin.

"Hey, Carmen, You okay?" Tanong nila sa akin.

"I'll be just fine. Nakakabastos lang talaga yung sinabi niya."

"Calm down, For sure, Mapapaisip ang tao kung yun ang pipiliin nila." Pagpapakalma sa akin nila Kalani.

"Speaking of the devil."

Here comes the only Alec Daniel Alvidrez, ang lalaking unang nambastos at nang-inis sa akin ng ganito. Kung akala niya na maldita na ako kanina sa debate eh nagkakamali siya! He hasn't seen the worst of me.

"It was a nice debate, Ms. Llorente. I can say you really are good."

"Thanks." Masungit kong sinabi.

"Let's be friends?" Tanong niya.

"Marami na akong kaibigan." Isa pang pagsusungit ko.

"Come on! Then, Maybe an acquaintance, Hmm?"

"Fine." Lumingon na ako pabalik sa mga kaibigan ko.

"Good Luck tomorrow, Ms. Llorente!"

I waved my hand from my back. Bakit ba siya ganoon kung umasta? Teka, May klase pa pala ako ngayon. Okay, Carmen, Let's go.

Halos di ako mapakali sa klase kapag naaalala ko ang sinabi niya. Parang may bumubulong sa tainga ko.

"Ms. Llorente!" Parang may nagpa-tunog ng kawali.

"M-Ma'am?"

"Are you aware of what I am saying, Hmm?"

"Y-Yes, Ma'am."

"Then what is the Rule 8 on English Writing Numbers Composition?"

"R-Rule 8? The word 'and' is not really necessary when writing numbers with 3 or more digits."

"Impressive, Ms. Llorente. You may take your seat."

Hay! That was close. Kailangan ko ng tanggalin sa isip ko yung mga sinabi niya. Come on, Carmen! Let it go na!

Natapos na ang klase namin at finally makakauwi na ako. Pabalik na ako sa parking lot at nakasalubong ko na naman si Alec Daniel Alvidrez AKA Presko na may pagka-bastos.

"Are you stalking me?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"I came here first so baka ikaw? You want to get a shot?"

"No thanks, Mr. Alvidrez."

Pumunta na ako sa sasakyan ko. Pinindot ko yung unlock button.

"Carmen! You wanna get coffee?" Kuya George surprised me once again.

"Sure, I'll drive na lang."

"See You tomorrow, Ms. Llorente." Nag-paalam si Alec.

Binuhay ko ang sasakyan at ikinonekta ang phone ko sa stereo. Pinili ko ang kantang Tattooed on my Mind. Hay! After a long day makakauwi na ako.

"Bat mo pala ako sinundo, Kuya?"

"Wala kasi sila Mama at Papa sa bahay. Tsaka busy ang mga maid dahil nag-lilinis sila.

"Ah, Okay. San pala tayo?"

"Mag kape nalang tayo sa may resort malapit sa bahay natin para makapag-lakad na rin tayo." Pag-aaya ni Kuya George.

Ipinarada ko ang sasakyan sa loob ng garahe ni Papa. Ayaw ko naman iwan ito sa labas lang. Nagpalit lang ako ng damit. Nag dark denim shorts ako at white na cropped top. Tapos nag sandals lang ako.

"Tara na sakto tayo sa sunset oh."

Tinawag ni Kuya ang waiter at nag-order kami. Si Kuya ay nag americano at glazed donut. Habang ako ay nag carbonara, garlic bread, at iced cafe latte.

Dito kami nakaupo sa beach area. Maganda ang paglubog ng araw kaya kinuhanan ko ito ng litrato. Nag-selfie na rin ako dahil ang ganda ng lighting.

Pinunasan ko na rin ang aviator eyeglasses ko. May marka na ito ng daliri ko kaya lumalabo.

"Who's that guy in the parking?" Biglang tanong ni Kuya.

"Wala yun. He's an acquaintance."

"Acquaintance? How did you guys meet?"

"Kalaban ko siya sa Student Government Election. Siya yung President ng opposing party list."

"Ayan na yung order mo. Ang dami ah."

"Grabe, Kuya! This is my way to de-stress."

"Bakit ba hindi ka tumataba kahit na ang dami mong kumain?" Tanong ni Kuya habang dinaramdam ko ang carbonara.

"I don't know siguro sa metabolism ko?"

"Hay! You enjoy your food ah. Ubusin mo yan para tumaba ka na. Ang slim mo tas matangkad ka pa."

"Kulang ito, Kuya."

"What? Kulang pa yan sayo? Baka may sawa dyan sa sikmura mo, ha?" Pang-aasar niya.

"Kuya naman." Ngumuso ako.

"Joke lang sige orderin mo na yung gusto mo."

"Waiter! Isang additional po na Ensaymada at Large na Red Iced tea."

"Anyway, Mama and Papa will be away for a few days."

"For their honeymoon diba kasi anniversary?"

"Yup and I have to go back to Manila to check some things."

"Are you saying that?..." Tumaas ang aking kilay.

"Yes, Maiiwan ka dito mag-isa. And it'll be tomorrow. Sila Mama at Papa ay naka-alis na. Ang alam ko ay mag-cruise sila."

"What?! Kuya ayaw ko maiwan dito."

"May kasama ka naman eh. Sila Manang kasama mo."

"Sasama na lang ako sayo." Ngumuso ako.

"May klase ka kaya."

"Hay! Fine, I'll be okay."

Tinuloy ko na ang pag-kain ko sa mga order ko. Hindi na ako kakain ng hapunan.

"Yung bill please."

"Ano kuya magkano?" Tanong ko.

"Paki-bigay sa kanya." Turo sa akin ni Kuya.

Inabot ng waiter ang bill namin. It cost P2500! Ganon ba karami ang nakain ko?

"Kuya, P2500 daw."

"Asan pambayad mo?" Tanong ni Kuya.

"P-Pambayad? Wala akong pera! Ikaw nag-aya sa akin dito."

"Inaya kita dito pero hindi ko sinabing libre ko."

Nalaglag ang panga ko.

Ilalabas ko na ang wallet ko at kukunin ko ang ipon ko for this month, three thousand ang naipon ko at 500 nalang ang matitira? No.

"Joke lang, little sister. Ayan na oh."

"Akala ko naman." Halos maiyak na ako habang kinukuha ko yung wallet ko.

Nag-lakad na kami sa bahay dahil onti lang ang distansya ng restaurant dito. Umakyat na ako sa kwarto ko at nahiga sa malambot at malaki kong kama.

Tumunong ang phone ko. May nag-text sa akin na hindi registered contact.

"Hello, Carmen. I kind of miss your lips."