He was at some point my world. You could say I'm obsessed, but I think I was still rational about it. First, of course, he's not the only one I had a crush on. I remember having a crush back in kindergarten.
I always love his smiles, his care, his scent, and his flaws. Although I am aware, he treats me just like everybody else. There was a time, I felt jealousy for something different. It's not about envying people who had moms. It's not about the things I don't have but others do. It's something subtle yet makes you uncomfortable.
"If you have questions. Raise the hand button to speak. You can also type it in the chatbox"
Ding!
"Oh, okay. The test will be out Friday morning, you will have until midnight to pass them"
"Ma'am, may I ask a question po?"
"Sure sure, let's hear it."
"About the coverage of the exam until what chapters will it cover"
"I have already posted the announcement in the classroom. But since you bring it up, I'll repeat it here. The coverage will be from chapters 2 to 4. I'll be putting more emphasis on solving newton's laws."
"Yes Ma'am thank you"
"Is that all? Okay, since nobody's answering I'll take that as a yes. Bye, cla-"
"Oh wait, we haven't had our screenshot. Everyone, please open your cams"
One by one reluctantly open their camera. Yes, they need this documentation to show the board that people study. I notice some even had the audacity to stay in bed and smile. Well, I can't do that, I'll at least pretend and sit up straight.
"Miss Madrid and Mr. Roan. Okay, now, everyone smile." She added.
"Let me just paste it, next slide. Smile"
"Okay nice. Thanks, everyone see you on Monday. If you have more queries please don't dm me, just ask in the gc we have. Bye"
A series of 'byes and thank you' continued. I clicked my mouse and left the link. I yawned. Our class this sem started early as seven. Don't get me wrong. I know during high school, we're already chatting on our way to the lines but things change. By that, we just can't fully concentrate on a class held when everyone behind those shut cameras facing the screen is still in bed or just jumping out of one.
My stomach grumbled since I was the latter. I climbed down the stairs and I can already hear the sweet ruckus. My cousins are fighting again. I could see them having a tug of war, not with rope but with a cellphone charger. Didn't they know once that charger broke, neither of them can use it? I commented sitting in front of the table with a great view of their live skit.
I reached for the bread and peanut butter when Jake successfully yanked the cord away and run upstairs. To be followed by a furious Gab whose nostrils are fuming. They say technology makes a man smarter. But look what we have here. It has a vibe of two cavemen fighting over a stick.
I heard a loud bang and screams. Later, cries. Yikes. I can't believe the two of them beat me out on having a relationship. Although a few years younger, they act like toddlers. What is happening in our society?
I pulled out my phone while munching over my breakfast. A series of chimes came. I stared at my messenger filled with chats from different course subjects. I'm starting to despise having a social media account.
"Good morning," I said to my aunt passing by. She just shrugged. I know my bad. There's nothing good in this morning. She went upstairs and guess what? Round two. It's only nine but they're already this lively. I turned around just to see a humungous pile of dishes. I count my fingers just to make sure there aren't phantoms living in the house who'd eat on lots of plates that need to be washed this morning. Oh well, the perk of being a parasite. I think the word is a bit exaggerated. Let me think of an alternative. Oh, I give up and went on with it.
On my way to the washroom my phone vibrated. I picked it up and saw my Tita's number.
"Hi, tita."
"Shy, are you free right now?"
"I... I still have class after fifteen minutes. I do have time to spare later" I told her the truth and that made her upset somehow. Since I could hear it in her voice.
"Okay, that'll do"
"I'll send you a list to purchase. I need them asap"
"Sure but I don't ha-" she cut me before I could add anything.
"Don't worry, I already talked to aunty, just ask her"
"Okay, anything else?"
"Yes, that's all, and don't forget to include the receipt. My colleague will meet you, so you can hand it over to her. Just make sure by 4 you're already at the rendezvous, okay?"
"Yes tita, got to go now. I'll keep in touch"
I receive a message from her.
[ LIST TO BUY:
INK (YELLOW, BLUE & BLACK) 1 EACH
5 RIMS OF BOND PAPER (HARD COPY) *ONLY THIS BRAND
PILOT FRICTION PEN 0.4
DO NOT FORGET THE RECEIPT AND NO ADDITIONAL PURCHASE!]
Every letter in the message is written in uppercase. It is as if she's screaming the list. It's the vibe you get from this.
I paused for a minute trying to remember the thing I was about to do. Oh yeah, I'm supposed to take a bath. I heard the loud screeching noise the doorknob makes when I twisted clockwise. It is as if people are being ripped apart. It's not a good sound but enough to wake your soul.
As if it's not enough to be woken by the screaming knob, my body trembled by the sudden change of temperature. The freezing water splurged on my head and let me release a sudden short shriek. I can never get used to this. I speed up my movement to reduce time in the cold. I sometimes, try to daydream but only if the water is lukewarm.
I went out and slid in a black shirt and shorts. I'll change to pants later. In the meantime, I did some chores I could squeeze in the minutes I could spare. The crying slowly faded. Maybe both of them grew tired after all those jam-packed scenes.
I sat on the floor and placed my antique laptop on the bed, readying my charger just in case, and connected to the new link our prof gave.