ELBI SERIES 1: His Maiden

Chapter 18

Aria Monique’s Point of View

“Lakad muna tayo sa freedom park.”

He didn't answer or say anything but I saw him drive his car to the direction of the university instead of my apartment. Maaga pa naman at bukas pa ang campus kaya walang problema. Puro lang din readings yung mga kailangan kong gawin kaya matapang akong maggala. Oh s**t! How about him, Aria? Ang selfish mo talaga!

“Wag na pala. Mag-aaral ka pa diba? Sorry,” I immediately apologized dahil ang walang kwenta ko talagang kaibigan.  

“It’s okay,” he answered like it’s really nothing. But I knew better. Carter loves studying. I know sobrang nerd pakinggan but he’s just really the type of student na eager matuto. He likes challenges at mas natutuwa siya kapag mahirap ang mga pinag-aaralan. He said that he feels better kapag mahirap ang lesson tapos naiintindihan niya. 

“No. Okay lang talaga. Ihatid mo na ako tapos uwi ka na. Sa weekend na lang tayo gumala,” i exclaimed. “I’m also a bit tired from all that’s happened. Gusto ko na matulog,” i added just to convince him more. 

“Are you sure?” he asked as he glanced at me. Sa wakas naman at nagawa na niyang lumingon sa akin. I nodded while smiling. I just heard him sigh and then turn his car again para maihatid na ako. Wala gaanong traffic kaya agad din naman kaming nakarating sa apartment ko. 

“‘Wag ka na lumabas, I can manage,” I exclaimed as I removed my seatbelt. Lalabas na sana ako sa sasakyan niya ng bigla siyang magsalita. “Call me later,” he exclaimed. 

“Ikaw nalang ang tumawag kapag nakauwi ka na. Or after mo magbasa ng mga dapat mo aralin,” i answered. He just nodded. I kissed his cheeks before getting out of his car. 

“Thank you for today,” I exclaimed. Hinintay niya akong makapasok sa may gate before i heard his car drove away. Nakita kong bukas na ang mga ilaw sa loob ng apartment kaya alam kong nasa loob na din ang mga roommates ko. Nasa pinto pa lamang ako ay narinig ko na ang ingay nila. 

Bigla silang tumahimik nang makapasok ako pero agad din namang bumalik sa pagdadaldalan. Lumapit agad sa akin sa Mayette at binuksan ang pinto sa likod ko. “Si Carter?” she asked. Wow, feeling close? May pa first name basis ang ate mo?

“Umuwi na,” i answered. 

Nakita kong sumimangot siya at bumalik na sa may kama niya. Siya yung nasa baba ng kama ko. Rhea and Annie were talking about their classmates dahil magkaklase pala sila sa ibang GE. Si Mayette naman ay tahimik lang na nagseselpon. After getting my night clothes, dumiretso na ako sa banyo para makapaglinis na ng katawan. 

Nang matapos ay skincare naman ang ginawa ko. They were all still talking animatedly and they were a little loud. To think na medyo gabi na. Pero hindi pa naman ako nag-aaral kaya hindi naman sila masyadong istorbo for me. Sana lang kapag nasa kalagitnaan na ng sem ay medyo itone down nila. 

“Omg!!!” 

Kakasabi ko palang ng itone down pero narinig ko na ang malakas na tili ni Mayette. Agad siyang tumayo sa pagkakahiga at nilapitan ako sa may harap ng cabinet. “Nakita mo na ba to Aria? Si Carter ‘to diba?” she excitedly exclaimed as she gave me her phone. 

It was a video of Carter singing True by Ryan Cabrera with his guitar.Posted siya sa twitter and sobrang trending na siya. What? Kailan ‘to? 

“Y-Yeah. That’s him,” i answered her question habang takang taka pa rin. Naririnig ko siyang tumitili at halatang kilig na kilig. 

“Sayang! Sana naging kaklase niya na lang ako! Ugh!” I heard Mayetter again as I took my phone and went out of the apartment to call Carter. Umabot ng tatlong ring bago niya tuluyang nasagot ang telepono. 

“Sorry. I was in the bathroom,” he exclaimed. Voice call lang ang ginawa ko but he turned on his video so I did the same. He was in his bed, nakasandal sa headboard without a shirt on. He was drying his hair with his white towel. 

“Dalian mong magpatuyo ang wear a shirt. I’m sure parang north pole nanaman dyan sa kwarto mo,” I exclaimed. Parati kasing nakatodo yung aircon na akala mo sobrang init. Sabi ko nga, hindi sanay sa mainit yan si Carter.

“Fine,” he answered as he put down his phone. Yung kisame na ng apartment ang nakikita ko. He was immidiately back and he’s now wearing a white shirt. 

“Alam mo ba? May viral kang video,” I told him. Hindi ko nakitaan ng gulat ang mukha niya kaya alam kong alam niya na rin. I heard him sigh as he spoke. “I know. Allen sent me the link a while ago,” he exclaimed at humiga sa kama niya. 

“Why are you outside? Pumasok ka nasa loob,” he ordered habang nakakunot ang noo. Maliwanag naman dito sa may labas kasi malapit ang kwarto namin sa guard house. Malamok nga lang. But I prefer to talk to him here. 

“Mayette is inside. She bugs me like crazy because of you,” hindi ko maiwasang mag-rant. Ewan ko ba kay Mayette, parang hindi niya nararamdaman na hindi ako natutuwa kapag para siyang linta kung makadikit. Tapos kung makapag tanong pa akala mo may karapatan siya kay Carter. 

“Just don't mind her,” he exclaimed as he urged me to go inside again. 

“Kapag pumasok ako sa loob, i’ll end this call. Mag chat nalang tayo,” i exclaimed kaya wala na siyang nagawa kung hindi mag buntong hininga. 

“Fine,” he said as he pulled a pillow para yakapin. Parang bata. 

“So? Yung video?” I curiously asked. 

“Prerog. The professor asked me to showcase any talent I have. I was prepared so I brought my guitar. I didn't know that someone was taking a video.”

Halata ko din ang inis sa boses niya. He’s a very private person at ngayon ay pinag uusapan siya sa social media. 

“A lot of people are sending me messages on ** and twitter. They’re relentless,” he added as he sighed heavily. 

“Nakapag-private ka na?” I was worried about him. 

“Yeah. But it was too late. A lot of people have already found my account and followed me. They’re also commenting a lot. Freaking stalkers.”