Chapter 5 - .04

Hey! Iya! Are you listening?

Those moments kept repeating on my mind. Why does he have to say that? We just newly met. I just, uhhh! Pag magkakasalubong kami, it would be so awkward. Why does he have that effect on me, by the way?

I realized that I should stop thinking about that because maybe he's just playing with me. He told me to dress myself up immediately.

"Iya? Hello? Are you with us?" Xia asked me. I forgot that we are in Sav's condo, having the usual sleepover.

"Hala, sapacing out siya. Ang lalim ng iniisip mo!" Cairhyll can't believe I'm spacing out. I'm attentive and alert most of the time. I can't also believe myself.

"Sorry," I just stated, afraid that they might suspect I'm spacing out because of a man.

"What was that again?" I am a type of person kasi who can't do multiple things at the same time. Ayaw kong sabay-sabay kasi hindi ko kaya. So if I have to listen to one person, I give my full attention to that person. Thus, I can't hear anything else anymore. In other words, I can only focus at one.

"I was asking kung may nanliligaw ba sayo," Ari said.

"None, I have no time for men, Ari! I still have a lot of pending tasks to do. That's everyday!" I told them the truth. Wala naman talagang nanliligaw sa akin that's why I thought this is just a normal sleepover because I didn't hide anything from them.

"I'm sure meron. Marami yan," Zai said.

"Pero rejected agad!"Cairhyll continued what Zaianne said.

"Yeah! But, I would honestly tell them that I am not interested. Then, there! They won't force themselves anymore to me! " I'm like that kind of person. I can't think of other ways para patigilin sila. I know nasasaktan ko sila. But, relationships never came to my mind before. My mind is occupied with my family problems.

"Di mo tinatanggap yung mga binibigay?" Avril asked me. I'm sure tinatanggap niya kaagad pag merong nagbibigay. When she tried not to accept one gift from an admirer before, she failed to sleep because she was so guilty. That's the problem with her, she's so kind.

I have no problem with that. She's doing the right thing. I'm just really worried for her because people sometimes tend to abuse her kindness and she doesn't care at all.

"How I wish I can do that. Ang hirap manakit ng tao!" Avril's so selfless. I know she's scared of hurting people. She saw how her mom pained because their father left them because he went with his mistress. But, she was always understanding. Just like my parent's case, her parents also married for business. She understands her dad. I guess I am lucky that my father didn't leave us even if he didn't love Mom.

"Sa tingin ko, si Avril ang may pinakamaraming manliligaw! Walang rejected! Wohoo!Galing mo, Av!" Cairhyll shouted. Sa lahat ng mga kaibigan ko, si Av lang ang kilala ko na wala pang naging boyfriend. I guess takot siya na masaktan yung iba kasi may pinili siya? No, just kidding. I'm sure having a relationship is the last in her list.

"Si Sav at Xia, kaya! They're popular! Maraming nakakakilala sa kanila because they're models!" Avril disagreed to what Cairhyll said. Yeah that's true but I'm sure she'd be the next kapag paramihan ng manliligaw ang pinaguusapan.

"Tahimik yung magpinsan, oh" I pointed at Zaianne and Aria who were just listening to us.

"Ewan ko nalang sa dalawang yan!" Cairhyll exclaimed.

"Understandable pa pag si Ari, pero si Zai! Ewan ko!" Then we all laughed.

"They have high standards," Chrixia said.

"Oo! Ilan lang ang nakakakuha ng lakas ng loob manligaw sa dalawa! Nakakatakot ligawan ang magpinsang yan! Ang hirap abutin ang katalinuhan ng dalawang yan!" Cairhyll shouted.

"Kailangang isigaw?" Zaianne asked Rhyll. She was frowning. She never liked this kind of topics. I fully understand why the two were just quiet.

"Grabeh ka naman kasi Zai! Ang amazona mo! Si Ari, okay lang. Mahirap lang talagang lagpasan ang katalinuhan niyo!" Cairhyll declared.

"Culinary arts lang naman yang sa inyong dalawa, ha! Grabe kayo magsunog ng kilay! Mamamahala lang naman kayo ng diners and restaurants!" Cairhyll complained. She forgot that they are not gonna be ordinary chefs. The two will manage world class restaurants and diners around the world.

"Makapagsabi ka parang ang dali ng gagawin namin!" Zai said.

"That's 86 branches around the world," Aria told us.

"Wala naman akong alam diyan! Mukhang ang dali lang naman kasing magluto," Cairhyll defended her point.

"That's hard for me and Sav," Xia countered. She said that because they both know nothing when we talk about cooking.

"Eh kasi di naman kayo nagluluto kaya malamang mahirap!" Cairhyll explained.

"Ikaw ba, Rhyll? May manliligaw ba na nakakatagal sa bunganga mo?" Zai told Cairhyll.

"I think if a man asks Cairhyll if he could court her, Cairhyll would frankly tell the boy that he's not her type!" Sav said. Yeah, I agree to what she said. Cairhyll is a straightforward person. She doesn't care if she's already harsh to others.

"Girls! Remember na you should tell us if ever you said yes already!" Sav reminded us.

"Yes, model!" Cairhyll made an annoying face which is directed to Sav.

*******

I am finally done practicing how will I present the report about our clinical rotation in Psychiatry or Neurology. After the talk with the girls last night, I immediately went home when morning came. I was a bit nervous for this report because I received a message from Bryle that the one who transferred would also be part of the reporting.

The idea that maybe he is good with acads didn't bother me. What made me feel nervous is that I have an idea of who the transfer student is. I am hoping my idea is wrong.

It's actually 9:56 in the evening and I still didn't go down for supper. I think if Manang calls me again, I'll ask her to just bring the food in my room. I kept myself busy because I don't want to eat with Dad. I felt bad after hearing my parents fight. He insulted Mom. I haven't seen her for almost a week already. I miss her, I always do. She rarely had time for me.

I want to be a doctor, too. But, I swear to myself that I will always have time for my family. I would willingly listen if ever my son or daughter would share their problems to me. I'll do that because I never had the chance to do it with my Mom.

"Ma'am Zariyah!" Manang told me to please open the door.

"Dinala ko nalang dito, Ma'am. Di pa po kasi kayo bumababa. Dalhin ko nalang pabalik kung gusto niyong sa babana kumain," Manang was about to go back but I immediately stopped her.

"Manang, huwag na po. Dito lang po ako kakain," I told her.

" Thank you po!" I said to her after she placed the tray on the side table.

"Sige, Ma'am Iya. Tawag ka nalang pag tapos ka na," Then, she stepped out of the room.

I thought, how would it feel kaya if my Mom does this to me? Or my dad? I bitterly laughed at the idea. It's near to impossible.

I looked at the tray. I saw milk and whole wheat oatmeal cookies. There are fruits also. May roasted chicken and vegetables din. It made me hungry so I finished all.

I called Manang when I already consumed the dinner. She immediately came and I gave her a small smile before she went out of my room.

I decided to watch videos that could help me in the medical field because I still can't sleep. When I'm done with five videos already, I decided to just have an advance reading for our next lesson since I'm done reviewing for all the things I have to recall. I've read my notes a lot of times, too. I realized that I became really productive today just because I wanted to avoid my father. If this studying the whole day becomes a habit, my grades will surely go higher.

****

I woke up because of my alarm. I faced the mirror and fixed my hair. I'm ready to go. After I sprayed a small amount of perfume, I quickly brought my bag and lab gown and I checked if ever I forgot something. When I saw that all the reporting materials are complete, I got my keys and drove my Bugatti to the school.

I am always an early bird in school. It's still 5: 01. I feel like I have few more time to relax when I arrive first specially at times like this.

Me: Hey, girls! Good morning!

Zai: Morning! School?

Me: Yeah, just arrived.

Me: How 'bout you?

Zai: Paputa pa. Cge I'll drive muna, Iya! Bye.

When it was exactly seven, I noticed that Cairhyll's already online.

Rhyll: Yowwwww...Good morning!

Me: I'm a bit nevous.

Rhyll: Ngayon yung reporting?

Me: Yeah. Walang good luck? Or God bless?

Rhyll: Meron

Rhyll: I pray na makalimutan mo yung pinag-aralan mo.

Rhyll: Magkakamali ka mamaya kahit sanay ka sa public speaking.

Me: Stop it.

Rhyll: Ma didistract ka mamaya kahit walang nakakadistract

Me: So bad, Rhyll :(

Rhyll: Proud to be me :)

I didn't open the gc anymore kasi I know na di titigil sa Cairhyll. She's not helping. I'm really nervous! I sat on my assigned seat and started remembering what I practiced, afraid that what Cairhyll said would be true.

Some of my classmates greeted me and I just smile at them or wave as a response. When the class almost started, I relaxed my mind. I don't want to have mental block.

Our professor in Psychiatry finally arrived and we started the reporting right away. I wasn't surprised to see Daron when Sir Nikolai introduced him to us. The class went noisy for a short time but it stopped when Sir Nikolai went serious because of the reporting.

I felt nervous about the results. What Cairhyll said didn't come true. I was grateful for that. Daron was as good as me when he delivered his report. He acted like we didn't know each other so I did the same. I still can't consider him as a friend. I just newly met him and I only know few things about him and they are also what most of the people know about him.

"I'll tell you the results today, just wait for a minute," Sir Nikolai announced.

When I've heard of the results, I don't easily get disappointed with the scores I get. But, this one's frustrating because Daron is higher than me for one point. One point! But, when he heard of the result, he smirked at my direction. When our eyes met, he playfully winked at me. Of course, I saw it! But, I decided to set it aside and just pretend like I didn't see it or I didn't know it's addressed to me.

I really did pretend for the whole day that I didn't know him. I was thankful we weren't on the same team during the clinical rotation.

I was heading to my Bugatti with a smile on my face. I convinced myself that I did great even if I was bit disappointed.

"I think, I should treat myself," I whispered.

"Yeah, you should," Someone whispered on my ear.

My mood immediately changed when I saw who the person is. I thought it's all over!

I just didn't notice him or turn to his direction again but I heard him talk.

"Playing strangers, huh? Doctora," Then he went inside his Lamborghini. I went inside my car, too. I drove to Zai's diner. I thought of fine dining but I realized I'm still wearing my uniform so I discarded the idea.

"Oh, no," I whispered to myself when I saw the Lamborghini of Daron. It would appear like I followed him! I was about to get inside my car when he turned his head to my direction. Then, he saw me. An amused smile crept into his lips. He definitely got the wrong idea! This is my best friend's diner!

"Following me?" He went nearer.

"What? Of course, no! I went here because my best friend owns this!" I defended myself.

"So, when you go to the mall, you should only enter when your friend owns it? Or buy the things if it came from your friends company?" He inquired.

What he said made me realize that I mostly stay in hotels Av's family managed, dine in Zai's or Ari's restaurants, shop in malls owned by Xia and most of my bags and clothes came from the designer brand of Sav's mom. I didn't notice that.

"I chose this because I want to support, Zai!"I honestly told him.

"Okay" But he doesn't look convinced.

"If you're still thinking that I'm following you, I think I should leave. I don't like people getting the wrong idea because of my actions," I was about to enter my car but what he said stopped me from leaving the place.

"That's an action someone will do if they're guilty," When he saw my reaction, he chuckled. I am so annoyed!

'Arrogant Bastard!' I said inside my mind.

******************************************

#ForeverYours #ForeignGirlsSeries1 #ZaRon

A/N: Chapter five will be posted tomorrow :)

-Pinkish_3007