CHAPTER 9

I have class now and currently we have a professor who’s telling us to share stories about different races, our experiences abroad, the people we meet, and the cultures practiced by the countries. And I guess there are already five of us who discussed in front. 

I am just quiet here, sitting, and watching them. I was observing these people and that is one of the manners I have, I tend to know people by just watching at them. But of course, I cannot really know them if I wouldn’t hang out with these people.

“Okay, we heard about the North Americans here in Canada, Brazil in South America, Italy and Spain in Europe, then in Africa, the Saudi Arabia. Let us now know about Asia, can the exchange student tell us more about it?”

I know I will be called but I still feel nervous. I got off from my seat and walked towards the front, in the mini stage of the room. When I turned to face them, they are looking at me and their attention are really in me. 

I don’t know if these people, my classmates have seen the fuss in the cafeteria but I hope none of them saw it. 

I smiled at them. “Good morning once again, as you all know I came from the Philippines which is part of the Southeast Asia and is also known as the Pearl of the Southeast Asia. I’m going to tell you about my country and to begin, I just want to say that people there are nice and they never forgot to smile despite the circumstances we’re facing. Filipinos love to smile and they are hospitable. Filipinos are likewise respectful especially to elders, we use the term ‘po’ and ‘opo’ when talking to them. Our country is a small island but even though it is a small one, we are rich in minerals and different natural resources such as the raw materials often exported.”

I turned to our professor who interrupted me.

“Yes, I’ve visited Philippines once and I can really say that there are so much beautiful places in your country, especially the beaches. I’ve been in Boracay and I truly loved the white sand in there.”

I smiled at him then I continued, “Philippines is rich in both land and water resources and for a brief history, I just want to say that our resources were also the main reason why we were colonized. And as we were colonized, our cultures were influenced by the colonizers and until now they are still evident. Women in the Philippines is courted by men before giving their yes. And in the early times, we are famous in the way of courting called ‘harana’ or in English, we call them serenade.” 

One of my classmates raised her hand and I acknowledged her.

“What do you mean by ‘harana’?” she asked in a slang way upon mentioning the Filipino word.

“Harana is the means of singing a beautiful song to a woman he’s courting. The woman would be watching him from the window of their house and they can’t talk to each other unless the parents of the woman would give their permission to the man.”

“That is so boring!” a man shouted from the back

I smiled at him again, “yes, for a man that is so aggressive it would be boring. But it’s still a sign of respect. You cannot just get the woman without consulting their parents. However, in this generation, Filipinos don’t do it that much now. You know, we have a different world now and as advanced social platforms arose, old practices were disregarded.”

My attention went to our professor who clapped her hands, and then my classmates followed.

“Very well said. The last sentence was an impact.” 

They agreed and some of them smiled at me.

“Can you give us some examples of your language? Like, how do we say ‘I like you’?”

I didn’t see it coming. I have no idea they’re going to ask that. My mouth was ready to answer but it was hung when our classmates started to make noise and they are teasing the man who asked the question.

“Hey! I’m just asking. I don’t like her and I bet you also want to know it.” He said defensively. The professor silenced them.

“’I like you’ in our Filipino language is ‘gusto kita’.”

Based from their faces right now, I think they did not got what I just said and I was right when one asked me to repeat it. I pronounced it slowly and then I’ve decided to right it on the board by syllables so they can follow it. Below, I also wrote another word and it says…

‘Mahal kita’

They read it and asked me what it is. I smiled at them.

“When you love someone, you tell them, this.” And I pointed the pen at the word. They smiled and some of them wrote it.

“Ma-hal ki-ta!” they read out loud. Then a girl stood out of her seat. All of us looked at her.

“What about, ‘I have a crush on you’?” the boys teased her and her friends did too. Maybe she has someone she likes.

“Okay, it’s kinda’ long though. In deep Filipino version we say it, ‘may pagtingin ako sayo.’” 

They tried to say it but they did not succeeded and they just grunted.

“It’s complicated, I’ll just go on ‘ma-hal ki-ta’” he said and we laughed.

“Thank you, Ms. Lorenzo for sharing things with us. You may now take your seat. We’ll continue the discussion.”

I am now walking on the hallway and I have my books with me to put it on my locker. I am not yet in my locker but I can see some people beside it and they’re talking and laughing. I paused from walking because I was thinking either I’ll continue or just turn my back and walk into another direction where I wouldn’t see him. Although his facing my back, I already know that it was him.

He’s leaning right on my locker.

At the end, I still went to there, open it, and kept my things. I nearly closed it but a hand stopped the door of my locker from shutting it. I looked at the man and he showed me his books. 

That’s new. Him, bringing books.

“Can you include this?” and he waved his two books in front of me. His right arm is rested on the locker and his arms were crossed on his chest.

“No.” I shortly answered and attempted to my locker again but it did not worked.

He placed his things inside and he himself locked it.

“Let’s go.” Then he started walking.

“I’m not coming with you. I have no classes left and I’m going home.”

He turned to me, “Aron’s looking for you and you have no car to use. He has one class left, might as well wait for him so someone can accompany you.”

I don’t know why I’m here eating with him again. Aron is not here until I finished eating he’s not coming yet.

“Where’s my cousin? Did you lied to me?”

“No. It’s true that he’s looking for you, I did not say though that he’s in here.” He smirked and I glared at him.

Some students looked at us and they are gossiping something I cannot understand. This man is really pissing me off. How can he lure ne like this?

“You should have told me where he is!”

He looked at his branded watch and said, “I left him talking to his girlfriend and probably by now, he’s having sex.”

And in instant, my face went red. My eyes circled and my mouth parted. How can he say those words effortlessly? Is he this blunt?

I closed my eyes and breathe heavily just to calm myself. He’s making small laughs while looking at me.

“My, my. Aron’s cousin is so innocent.” And he laughed again. “Bet you’re still a virgin.”

I threw the tissue on his face. Some people gasps when they saw that but I did not mind. In the corner, I met Stephen’s eyes again and he’s smiling deviously on me. He and his friends are creepy.

“Am I right?” Zoren asked getting my attention again

“Shut up.” I rolled my eyes

“What’s happening here? What’s with your face, Jez?” I looked up and saw it was Aron. 

Argh! Finally, Aron came!

“N-nothing.” I bowed my head and bit my lip. I just realized, it was so embarrassing. I am always embarrassed in front of this man.

“I just told her you’re having sex with your girlfriend and she blushed.” He said not taking things seriously.

“What the fuck, bro? I did not, besides she won’t settle it with me. She still thought that Jez is my girlfriend.”

And for the second time, my eyes were surprised while looking at my cousin. Why would her girlfriend think of that?

“And to lessen her suspicion, I told her that you’re his boyfriend.”

I don’t know how many times I would be shocked this day but everything they’ve said is unacceptable. Aron made it more confused.

“Why would you do that? What if it gets more complicated?” then I looked at Zoren, “And that man, what if he has girlfriend? I’m not a mistress, Aron.” I did not imagine I would be talking to them casually like I am doing right now. Especially Zoren whose character is so terrorizing.

Both of them laughed, “It wouldn’t. They know Zoren and they won’t either ask him. They’re scared of him—

“Aron.” A warning voice suppress.

I heard Aron cursed, “Just let it be, Jez. Besides, Zoren has no girlfriend so you’re still not a mistress and ihope Zoren wouldn’t make you one.” He continued

“I don’t wanna’ be tied with him, lies or not.” They became quiet after that and I am just observing the two of them and I noticed Aron sighed heavily and Zoren with his dark aura again.

Now, what did I say? I don’t get this two.

“Well, I asked Zoren to inform you that I’ll be still having a class and after that we’re going home but I know you finished your class early. So, I’m thinking if you could just be with him for a while since I’m having my last for today.” He said changing the topic

I looked at Zoren again but he’s attention was not on us. He’s just staring at nowhere.

“I’ll be staying on the library.”

“Okay, if that’s what you want.” Aron 

I love here, it’s really quiet here and spacious. I was just reading books when two girls approached me and their faces are familiar. They are my classmates.

“Hi. I hope you remember us, I’m Kate and beside me is Pia. We’re classmates.” They mumbled. Their voice were toned down because the librarian is very strict and doesn’t even want to hear footsteps.

“I’m Jezcyl.”

They smiled at me, “Yes we know. Can we sit?” we are on a long table and they sat on the opposite seat.

I thought they’re just going to read their books but they kept on talking and asking me questions that caught my interest.

“Are you and Zoren, dating?”

I closed my book and set it aside, “No, we’re not. You misunderstood everything.” This is what I’m scared of. Misleading things and making it an issue without reliable basis.

They looked at each other, “But we saw the scene in the cafeteria last day. Perhaps, did you two kissed? It went crazy yesterday in the whole campus and you’re the rumored new girlfriend of Zoren.”

I was surprised but I somehow expected it because of what he did to me, “he didn’t and that rumor will stay as a rumor. It’s not true at all.”

They sighed and gave me a worried look. 

“You seem nice, Lorenzo. And we just want to warn you about him. You’re new here and you do not know him well.”

I am completely clueless about their information. Why would they warn me of him? Is he not a trustworthy person? Is he a monster or what?

“What’s with him? He’s my cousin’s friend. Why would you say it?”

“What?! You’re Aron’s cousin?” they asked shocked. The librarian warned us and we silenced ourselves for a while.

“Yes, I am. And he’s hanging out with Zoren for a long time now, maybe and you know, they’re classmates so—

“They’re not classmates, Jezcyl.”

And it was the time for me to be stunned. They’re not classmates?

“Then, he’s in the different section, right?”

They shook their heads, “Zoren is in third year now.”

What?

“Just be careful with him and please don’t tell your cousin about this. He might exposed us to Zoren and if that happens, we’ll be in big trouble. We gathered our whole guts just to tell you this because we want you to be safe.”

My head is aching. Damn. I heard the chairs moved and I saw them stood up, maybe they’re going already.

“Bye, Jezcyl. Hope you take our advice.”

“What advice?” a voice from behind them asked.

The two girls stiffened from their places and they doesn’t know if they’ll turn or not.

“What advice are you giving my girlfriend?” he asked again.

I got off from my seat and I noticed how the two of my classmates became uneasy.

“Go, I’ll be talking to him.” they immediately nodded to me and went off passing by Zoren while covering their faces with their books.

Why are they so withdrawn with him?

I’m relieved that he let them passed and proceeded at me. I became tensed when he came so near to me not even giving us a meter of distance. My hand is on his chest to prevent him from any stupid acts again. 

“Don’t make a scene again, Zoren. I’m gonna’ hate you for real, I promise.” I warned him while avoiding his gazes.

He is looking at me thoroughly that made me more uncomfortable.

“Do you believe them?”

My eyes instantly stopped on his. Did he happen to hear everything?

“I did not eavesdrop or what. I just feel like something is wrong.” He said in his low tone

And slowly, I shook my head. “I don’t. Just don’t scare them like that again.”

“I was only asking, I’m not scaring anyone, honey.”

I guess I just blushed and I really did when he smirked at me.

“You’re cheek is flushing, again. Can I kiss you?”

My eyes widened and I hit his hand who’s going to my face.

“Stop it, Zoren. I warned you already.”

His smile won’t leave his face, “What? The kiss would end planned things. Probably they’re just waiting for a chance now.”

I raised an eyebrow. I don’t get him. He’s talking a lot of senseless things. 

“What do you mean by that?”

He shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t do explanations, honey.”

I glared at him but he just laughed. He will tell me things that I don’t get the answer and then likewise, he’ll say he doesn’t explain. 

The students looked at us and then the librarian came.

“Not in the library, please.”

And for the time I was with him again, I feel embarrassed once more. This is getting worse, Jezcyl.