AMARI DWAYNE VAN ART [STORY]

AMARI DWAYNE, [Music playing...] I was in the middle of singing when someone is calling. Naputol ang pagkanta ko. "Arghh, sino ba ang caller na'to?!" Naiinis kong sabi. It is Sandy my best friend. Sinagot ko kaagad ang call niya. "I'm in the middle of singing, sis. What's the matter?" naiinis kong tanong. "I'm sorry, but this is urgent," she said. "What is it?" I asked. "We have a meeting tomorrow about school organization, and you should be there," sabi niya sa kabilang linya. "Okay fine, thank you for reminding me. I almost forgot, sorry," sagot ko sa kaniya. May meeting pala tomorrow sa organization ng school. "Okay, that's all. Continue your singing. Bye, see you tomorrow," she said and end up the call. "Amari?" Mommy called me. "Yes, Mommy?" I asked as I open the door. "Lunch is ready, come on downstairs," saad ni Mommy. "Okay, I'm coming." I fixed myself and turn off my phone. I saw my twin siblings, they've grown so fast. It's been 12 years since Mom and Dad got married and I was 4 years old that time. "Hey guy's! How are you doing?" I asked the twins. "Good," Vanness answered in a bored tone. Vanness has to side of attitude. Sometimes, he act like Mom and sometimes, he act like Dad. While Vennice, she act like me. She is maarte but a shy type of a person. "How about my, beautiful sister?" I asked Vennice. "I'm doing good, Ate," she answered. "Good, to hear that," masaya kong sabi sa kaniya. "Lunch is ready," sabi ni Mommy from dinning. "Turn off your gadget twins, let's eat," utos ko sa kambal. "Mom, where is Daddy?" I asked. "I'm here," Daddy answered. "Daddy!" masaya naming salubong kay Daddy. "Hi, how are you? You're always on your room, did you prepare your things for school, tomorrow?" Daddy asked. "Yes, Dad," malambing kong sagot. I am a Daddy's girl since baby. Mommy told me that, when I was a baby, hinahanap ko ang presence ni Daddy. Actually, he is my stepfather, but he treat me as her real and own daughter. Daddy Victor is one of a kind. Responsible, and loving father. Super love niya rin si Mommy. Sweet, loyal, faithful and gentleman. Napaka-hard working ni Daddy, pero he always have a quality time for us. Si Mommy naman, she is very supportive wife and loving. She is very hands on mother to us. Every sunday we go to church, watching movies and shopping, that is our family day. "Dad, Mom, can I go out? I forgot to buy a physics book. I need it in school." Nakalimutan ko kahapon, nag-mall kami and namili ng school supplies. "Of course, anak," Daddy answered. "Mang Dante, will be your driver starting tomorrow, Amari," Mommy said. "But, Mom, I have my own car naman and license. Can I drive by myself?" paalam ko sa kanila. "Asked your Dad. Kung ako lang ang masusunod, I don't want you to drive by your self, Amari. Its not safe," ani Mommy na nasa food ang atensyon. "You can use your car next year, Amari," sabi ni Daddy. Akala ko love ako ni Daddy... "Mom, Dad, I'll be careful naman sa pagda-drive. I'm 18 and college now," paawa effect kong sabi. "Amari, don't be stubborn, anak," saway ni Mommy. I pout my lips and continue eating my foods. Why naman kasi mahirap maging mabait na daughter? Always sunod-sunuran and my pagka-hard headed is not working sa kanila. Ang pangit ka-bonding... After we eat naligo ako and wear my crop top and jeans. Pinarisan ko ng shoes ko na bago. "Kuya Dante, let's go po. Saglit lang po ako sa mall," saad ko kay Mang Dante. "Mom, Dad, aalis na po me," paalam ko sa kanila. Sumagot sila pero 'di ko na narinig. Kaagad pinaandar ni Kuya Dante ang kotse at umalis na kami. While on the road, I take a selfie and post on social media. Minutes later, nasa mall na kami. "Kuya Dante, wait me here lang po ha," sabi ko kay Kuya Dante. "Sige, Miss Amari," sagot niya. Dali-dali akong pumasok sa mall. Dumiretso ako sa book store. Naghanap ako ng physics book kasi need sa school. "Gotcha!" masayang usal ko nang mahanap ko ito. Dadamputin ko na sana pero may ibang kamay na nakahawak rito. Hinay-hinay kong nilingon ang nagmamay-ari ng kamay. I was speechless, a guy with messy hair, thick eyebrows, brown eyes and red lips. His nose is matangos, he is perfectly handsome! Oh my gosh! "Close your mouth, mapapasukan ng langaw," pabulong niyang sabi. Naitikom ko ang aking labi at nalunok ko ang hangin. "Hey, give me that book," sabi ko sa kaniya nang bumalik na ako sa ulirat. Hawak na niya ito. "This?" turo niya sa book. "Yes, that is mine. Ako ang nakauna diyan," nakapamaywang kong sabi sa kaniya. "I'm sorry, miss, but walang name mo na nakalagay. Ako ang unang nakakuha so this book is belongs to me," saad niya. "No, that is mine. Give it to me!" singhal ko sa kaniya. "This is mine, maghanap ka na lang ng iba marami pa naman sigurong book, kagaya nito," aniya na nasa book ang paningin. "No way! Ikaw ang maghanap not me," mataray kong sabi sa kaniya. Pilit kong inaagaw ang book but he is so matangkad kaya hindi ko maabot. "Ano ba? Give it to me," I said. Nag-agawan na kami ng book, mabuti na lang walang ibang customer. "No, this is mine. So please stop what you doing," kunot-noo niyang saad sa akin. So nakakainis na talaga, wala man lang ka gentleman sa katawan. I don't have a choice. I hardly stepped on his foot at mabilis inagaw ang book. "Aray ko!" daing niya. "Gotcha! Kung binigay mo sana ng maayos, hindi ka sana nasaktan. Hmmmp" ismid ko sa kaniya. "What Amari wants, Amari gets," pahabol ko pa. Kumindat ako at ngumisi ng nakakaloko sa kaniya. "He is handsome sana, but... hindi siya gentleman. Ayon tuloy nasaktan ko siya." I pay my book at lumabas na ng bookstore. Dumaan muna ako sa Jo'bee para bumili ng coke float, dinalawa ko na para kay Kuya Dante ang isa. First Day of School... "Amari, where na ba you?" tanong ni Shaira. Shaira Mae Andres, 18 years of age. "I'm on my way. Why ba? Can't wait to see me?" assuming kong tanong. "Yup! I'm excited to see you, i have a lot of k'wento for you, sis! Kaya faster na!" "Tsk! Okay, just wait for a minute kapeng mainit." Kahit kailan mainipin pa rin 'tong babaeng 'to. "Kuya Dante, hanggang entrance na lang po," saad ko kay Kuya Dante na driver ko. "Sige po, Miss Amari." Paghinto ng kotse ay agad akong bumaba. Bumungad sa beautiful face ko ang school ni Daddy na malaki. "El Rico University! Here I am again!" Bigla akong napalingon sa kaliwa't kanan ko at baka may nakakita sa akin, mapagkamalan pa akong baliw. Pagpasok ko ay halos lumuwa ang aking two eyes. As in literally nga nga ako nang makita ko ang whole campus. Pinalaki kasi ito ni Daddy dahil parami na ng parami ang nagpapa-enroll dito. Mas gumanda pa lalo, nakakaganang pumasok. "Amazing and fabulous!" bulalas ko. "Sissyyyy!" May tumiling tiyanak, este tao pala. Sakit sa ears ng boses nito. "Natanggal ang eardrums ko, Shai," sabi ko sa kaniya. Hawak ko pa ang ears ko. "Ha? Na saan?" Hinanap pa niya sa kinatatayuan namin ang eardrums ko. Shunga talaga, tsk! "Wala naman e... ahww! Why ka naman nang batok?" tanong niya kay Sandy. Sandy Austria, 18 years of age. Same lang kaming tatlo ng age 'cause same lang kami ng year isinilang. Months lang ang difference and date. "Shunga ka? Paano matatanggal ang eardrums niyan?" turo nito sa akin. "Sabi niya natanggal daw e," sagot naman ni Shaira. "Naniwala ka naman? Pareho talaga kayong dalawa, kulang sa ulos!" sabi nito at tinalikuran kami. "What's ulos?" curious naming tanong. "Ayy ewan! Tara na nga, masisiraan ako ng bait sa inyong dalawa!" Iniwanan niya kami ni Shaira na kapwa may question mark sa ulo. "Sandy! May dalaw ka ba?!" pasigaw kong tanong. Medyo malayo na kasi siya sa amin, nagtawanan naman ang mga nakarinig lalo na ang mga lalaki. Napailing siya habang naglalakad at hindi na kami pinansin. "May red tide 'yan, sis. Hayaan mo na 'yan," bulong sa akin ni Shaira. Sinundan na lang namin siya hanggang sa makarating kami sa classroom namin. Ang super ingay nila, feeling ko nasa elementary school ako. "Silent!" sigaw ko. Natahimik sila at napatingin sa akin. Hindi nila napansin ang presence ng kagandahan ko. So sad naman! "Nasa classroom tayo! Ang laki ng nakasulat oh!" Turo ko sa dingding ng classroom. "Silence..." Binasa ko pa 'yon. "My gosh! We are college students, not elementary nor highschool. Your voice is too loud. Nakarating sa Dean's office!" sermon ko sa kanila. As a school youth organization, president, feeling ko tatanda na ako. Gusto ko na magpapalit sa trono ko. I'm tired na! Second year college na kami at pareho kami ng course nila Sandy and Shaira. We are mag-best friends since highschool. Sila may boyfriend na, ako? NBSB. No boobs since birth. Later on, our professor entered in our classroom. Something is not right when I saw him. May kakaiba akong naramdaman sa kaloob-looban ko. He also look at me in my eyes na para bang, kinikilala niya ako. Then unexpectedly, he smiled at me. Who is he? Why is he look familiar to me? "Good morning, everyone. I am your professor this year, and my name is Andrei Ferrer, 35 years old. Wala kayong magiging problema sa akin dahil mabait naman ako. But, pagdating sa grades, ngayon pa lang ay sinasabi ko na sa inyo. Your grades are depends on your performances and participations. Kayo ang gagawa ng grades niyo at ako ang magsusulat nito. So, engineering is not easy course. Masyado itong mabusisi, kailangan ninyong mag-focus, kung gusto ninyong grumaduate. Now, before we start our class, I want you to introduce yourself in front of your classmates." Nakatulala lang ako at parang wala akong naintindihan sa mga sinabi niya. My classmates start introducing there selves. When it's my turn, I take a deep breath. "Good morning, classmates and Sir Andrei. I'm Amari Dwayne Van Art, 18 years of age. About myself, my hobbies are... Listening music and recording. Sports, volleyball and basketball. Lastly, I am a food lovers. That's all, thank you." They all clap their hands after my short introduction. "Amari Dwayne Van Art, you are familiar to me. I also remember my daughter to you." Napalingon ako sa kaniya and our eyes meet. Ang lakas ng t***k ng puso ko. Something is not right, really. And I don't understand, what is going on? Who is he? Bakit parang malaki ang parte niya sa buhay ko? In the middle of introduction, keme. Someone entered. Tall and handsome. Naka-bonnet, nakasabit lang sa isang shoulder niya ang bag. Naka-black siya and white shoes. Cool! But, when I familiarize him. Oh my gosh! He is the guy na na-encounter ko yesterday sa bookstore! Shocks! Holly molly! Gusto kong mag-invisible. Hoy! sahig open! Lamunin mo ang magandang katawan ko. Kahit NBSB ako, please! "Good morning, sir. I'm sorry, I'm late, hinanap ko pa kasi itong engineering department." His voice is good in ears. Kinikilig naman ang mga pangit kong classmates. "Oh. Come in. Since, bago ka lang dumating, please introduce yourself," sabi sa kaniya ni Sir Andrei. "Yes, sir. No problem." Pumunta siya sa pinakagitna. He is so hot and cool, my gosh! Pero... lagot ako nito kapag nakilala niya ako. Hmmmp! kasalanan niya naman 'yon! "Good morning, everyone. I am, Kenshin Hernandez, transferee. 19 years old. I am a varsity player. Hope we can all be friends here." Na-stock ako sa mukha niya. Ang guwapo niya lalo na kapag nag-smile. "Thank you, Mr. Hernandez. You may now take your sit," sabi sa kaniya ni Sir Andrei. Yumuko ako and I cover my face. May naramdaman akong umupo sa tabi ko and naamoy ko ang pabango ng isang lalaki. L. perfume. "May utang ka sa akin." Nanindig ang mga balahibo ko nang bumulong siya sa ear ko. Hindi ako nakaimik. Pinagpawisan ako ng malamig. God! Bakit sa tabi ko pa siya umupo? Ang dami pa namang vancant seats e! Mommy! Gusto ko nang umuwi!