Faith's Point of View
"Hi, students! Welcome to De Somila University, I am Ms. Villamor, one of your professors in Tourism."
We all clapped our hands as she lively introduced herself to us. I can't take my eyes off her, she's so stunning, and I can see her curves from the uniform.
"You may introduce yourself," our Professor said to the boy in the first row.
Nakahinga ako ng maluwag dahil nasa gitnang banda ako ng mga upuan. In 14 years of studying, hindi pa rin naaalis ang kaba ko tuwing first day sa school.
"Hi, I am Almario Mendez, 17 years old, and my hobbies are going to the gym and playing with my pet," pagpapakilala ng hindi katangkaran na lalaki.
I realized how old I am compared to them. I should be in medical school now, but I'm starting all over again.
Maraming minuto ang lumipas, hanggang sa bumalik ako sa wisyo nang katabi ko na ang nagpakilala.
She has silky straight black hair. She even wore hairclip, that made her youthful and — childish? She smiled so brightly before speaking.
"Hi, guys! My name is Lara Chen, 17 years old," pagkasabi n'ya no'n ay maraming nagbulungan.
"17 na s'ya? Gosh, I thought she's only 15!" ani ng nasa likod ko.
"I'm Taiwanese, and — uhm... That's it," she shyly mumbled.
Taiwanese, huh? That's why her hair is so lovely, and she's adorable. But how come she's so fluent in tagalog? Hindi ko s'ya namukhaang may lahi, ah.
"Shan Cai ka girl?" banat ng isang babae.
Natawa naman si Prof. Villamor. "Okay, your turn, Ms."
Hindi na ako nagsayang pa ng oras, I stood up and went in front of them. Before speaking, I cleared my throat and sighed. Gosh, why I am so nervous? I'm already 20!
"I'm F-faith Santimoza," I looked down. "I'm 20 years old."
Many of them gasped. "Why is she here?" Iyon ang una kong narinig mula sa kanila. Hanggang sa lumakas ang bulungan.
"Class, please quiet, respect her!" Ms. Villamor shouted.
Lalo akong nakaramdam ng hiya at kaba. Do I deserve this judgment? Baka magiba ang turing nila sa'kin dahil 3 years ang gap ko sa kanila.
"My hobbies are eating and watching tv..." I said, not sure what I have spoken.
"Omg, same!" sabi ng katabi ko sa upuan na Taiwanese.
I smiled a bit and went back to my chair, heads down as I felt their eyes were on me. It's a blade that runs through myself, and I only have me, without even a single shield.
Mabilis na natapos ang ilang subject at lunch break na. Palabas na ako ng room nang makita ang isang notebook, I opened it and saw the name of the owner.
Kinuha ko 'yon at naglakad sa hallway. My phone rang, I quickly get it and answered Stay.
[How's your first day?]
"I-it's fine."
[Really? I'll fetch you there, anong oras ang uwi mo?]
I stopped walking and glanced at my wrist watch. "Uh — 3 pm."
[Alright.] He ended the call.
I continued to roam around the University until I found the cafeteria. Maraming tao at mahaba ang pila, time consuming. One hour pa naman bago mag-start ang klase.
I was about to get my phone again, when I remembered a thing. Magkaiba na kami ng schedule ni Stay, he's now taking BS Aviation.
He told me a month ago, he wants to study on a well-known flight school in America. Kaya naman subsob s'ya sa pagaaral ngayon para matanggap s'ya.
Umupo ako sa malapit na bench. Kumukulo na ang tiyan ko at parang malilipasan ako ng gutom mamaya, ang hirap naman mag aral dito.
While looking around, I saw the owner of the notebook. Agad akong tumakbo palapit sa kan'ya.
"Hi, L-lara? You forgot your notebook," I uttered.
She widely smiled and took it. "Thankyou!"
In that moment, biglang kumulo ang tiyan ko, she chuckled. "Gutom ka na?"
Nahihiya akong ngumiti at tumango. Hindi ko mapigilan tanungin ang sarili kung bakit napaka bait n'ya sa'kin, despite how old I am.
We entered a restaurant near the DSU. Kaunti lang ang tao at malakas ang aircon, that made me feel so relaxed. I ordered chicken and rice, with dessert and drinks.
I wondered why Lara didn't ordered, may dala pala s'yang baon. Isa 'yong bacon and rice na may leche flan pang kasama sa gilid. Nilabas n'ya din ang isang plastic bottle na may lamang juice.
I started to eat. "Oh, it seems like you enjoyed cooking," puri ko sa kan'ya.
She childishly chuckled. "It's from my mom."
Oh, okay... Ngayon lang ako naka encounter ng college student na pinagluluto pa rin ng magulang ng maluto.
"Aish, alam ko ang iniisip mo," aniya habang kumakain. "Alam mo kung bakit?"
I frowned. Anong bakit?
"Mahal kasi ako ng nanay ko!" She chuckled again.
I suddenly thought of my mom. She never cooked for me, hindi ko naranasan magbaon noong elementary hanggang highschool. Hindi n'ya rin ako pinagtimpla ng juice o binili man lang ng yakult. Lara is so lucky.
"Mapagmahal siguro kayong mga Taiwanese," ani ko.
"Oh, for me, it's Filipinos. You guys are hospitable too."
I smiled. "Ilang taon ka ng nandito?"
"We moved here when I graduated elementary. My father fell in love to this country!" masaya n'yang sagot.
Napaka masiyahin n'ya, at mukhang walang iniinda na lungkot. Mukhang hindi rin s'ya takot sa college, knowing na mahirap at nakaka-pressure.
I noticed the pink hairclip that she's wearing since earlier. First time ko lang makakita ng freshman na parang highschool kung mag-ayos.
We finished eating. Habang s'ya naman ay naglabas ng Tang at nagrefill ng malamig na tubig. Binuksan n'ya ang 'yon at nagtimpla sa bote.
Narealize kong magkatulad ang juice na nilabas n'ya kanina at ng tinitimpla n'ya ngayon. "Favorite mo 'yan?" tanong ko pagkatapos kong punasan ang bibig.
Tumango s'ya. "Alam mo kung bakit?" She grinned.
Ayan na naman s'ya sa Alam-mo-kung-bakit line. Favorite n'ya rin ba 'yon?
"Bakit?"
"Kasi Tang-ina mo." She chuckled again.
Bigla akong natawa imbes na ma-offend sa pagmura n'ya. Gosh, she's so lively.
"I didn't realized how a Taiwanese will curse fluently," I said while laughing.
"At dahil minura kita, friends na tayo!" She said and sip her juice.
I felt so happy, may tumuring sa'kin na isang kaibigan kahit na awkward dahil hindi kami magka edad. I suddenly have a little sister, she's so cute.
Natapos ang unang araw, pumunta ako sa parking lot at agad na nahanap si Stay, nakasandal s'ya sa kotse n'ya. I waved and rushed to him.
"Kumusta?" Ginulo gulo n'ya ang buhok ko.
"Ayos lang. Ikaw, captain?"
He chuckled. "I'm fine, do you have assignments today?"
I frowned. "Uso pa ba 'yon?"
"Mukha ka kasing elementary."
Agad ko s'yang sinamaan ng tingin. "What?! Hey, ganoon na ba ako kaliit? 170 cm kaya ako!"
Tumawa s'ya. "Ang dugyot mong tignan, may pawis ka pa. Ano ka, naglaro sa field?"
I withered. "Ang sama mo."
"Stay!" someone shouted his name.
Lumingon ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses na 'yon. I saw my Prof. Villamor, walking towards us.
W-wait, they know each other?
"Oh, Coleen,"
"C-coleen? S'ya yung nasa bahay mo last month?" I whispered.
Professor ko ang kaibigan ni Stay? What the hell, what should I do?!
He smiled at me and nodded. "How are you, Coleen?"
"I'm fine! Good timing, ah."
She's so lovely as usual. Hindi ko akalaing ganito kaganda at ka-sexy ang kaibigan ni Stay.
"Oh, Ms. Santimoza?" she glanced at me.
"A-ah--"
"She's my girl..."
My professor raised her brows. Napatigil naman ako.
"I mean, my best friend. She live with me."
"What?!" Halos lumuwa ang mga mata n'ya.
Stay smiled. "Why?"
"O-oh, nothing. I didn't know she's already 20 years old," she said and glanced at me. "Faith, I'm sorry sa naging asal ng kaklase mo ah."
"What do you mean?" Stay's reaction changed.
"W-wala 'yon." Kinurot ko si Stay sa gilid para sabihing umalis na kami. I badly want to go home.
"Stay, can we eat to our house? My parents miss you na, they prepared lots of dishes," Prof. Villamor said.
"Really? Okay, ihahatid ko muna si Faith sa bahay." He uttered.
Naisip n'ya pa talaga 'yon? Alam ko namang excited na s'yang ma-meet ang parents ng Prof. ko.
"Ah, hindi na. Magko-commute na lang ako pauwi."
Maglalakad na sana ako paalis nang bigla akong hawakan ni Stay ng mahigpit sa braso. I sighed while my Professor seemed so shocked.
"Ihahatid kita," Stay firmly said with his deep voice.