The General's Only Daughter

Chapter 3

Nurse gave us a slip to avoid trouble for out next subject since we were late. Sabi nila mahigpit ang mga professor ditto at ayaw na ayaw ng late.

“Ok, maupo na kayo.” I sighed in relief, I smiled at Winter and made my way to Chas. She reserved a seat for me.

“Anong nangyari bakit na late ka?” sinenyasan ko sya na mamaya ko na ikukwento sa kanya.

***

“Hays, hindi ikaw partner ko.” Chas pouted.

“Now, class I want you to go to your partner.” Our professor announced. I don’t know who my partner is. Kalahati kasi sa amin ang bumunot kung sino makakapartner tas ang kalahati ayon ang mabubunot. Pinanood ko si Chas na nakasimangot at hinanap ang partner niya. We are 28 in total so sakto dahil by pair.

“Hi, luckily I picked you.” Winter smiled and sat beside me. Mabilis lumipas ang apat na buwan, Winter and I are casual to each other. She’s kind and beautiful.

We were told to create a portfolio using html. I’ve created many before, maybe I’ll just pick one from my sample codes then improve it. We will create a portfolio individually, the reason why we were pair was because we need to create a portfolio for our partner.

“Cali, Chas!” Winter and Lawrence called our names in unison. It’s our lunch time kaya kakapasok lang naming sa cafeteria, taka ko naman silang tinignan sa table nila. Sinenyasan nila kami na lumapit kaya lumapit kami.

“Dito na kayo, let’s talk about our portfolio project.” Ay oo nga pala, sakto dahil partner ni Chas ang pinsan ni Winter na si Lawrence. Nagtinginan kami ni Chas, I nod at her. Even though Winter and I are casual to each other, this is the first time that we will be eating together in one table. Well, make sense since we are not that close.

Tahimik kong kinuha ang baunan ko sa loob ng lunch bag ko. I started eating quietly, and himala rin na hindi nagdadaldal si Chas. Tinatamaan rin pala siya ng hiya. We are all quiet actually.

“Cali, can I ask you a question?” Winter asked.

“You’re already asking Winsy.” Saad ni Bryce, inirapan lang ito ni Winter.

“I think I haven’t seen you eating the food here in cafeteria. Bakit lagi ka nagbabaon?” I swallow my food and wipe my lips bago balingan ng tingin si Winter, nasa kaliwa ko si Winter at nasa kanan ko naman si Chas then Lawrence, Bryce and Sage are in front of us.

“I didn’t mean to be rude, I’m sorry it’s ok if you don’t want to answer.” Winter said apologetically she must have think I took it negatively. Marami kasing estudyante na nagkakalat ng sariling balita na I’m poor daw kaya ako nagbabaon ang iba naman ay sinasabi na ignorante ako. How pathethic ‘di ba? Eh free naman pagkain sa cafeteria, although may mayad nap ag nagpa request ka magluto ng gusto mong ulam and that’s what most of them do.

“Ayos lang, hindi kasi ako kumakain ng mga pagkain na hindi lutong bahay e.” I smiled at Winter reassuring her, that she’s good.

“Really? Ever since you were a kid?” Winter asked, na parang namamangha.

“Since birth.” I honestly said. I could feel the eyes for the three guys in front of us.

“Cool!” Bryce commented.

“Ay oo nga pala, naalala ko hindi mo pa nasagot tanong ko dati, Cali. Bakit nga pala hindi ka kumakain ng hindi lutong bahay?” Tanong ni Chas.

“Nilason kasi ang mama ko noong bata palang ako.” Napasinghap naman sila sa sinabi ko.

“For real? Kaya pala pinagbawalan kana ng mama mo kumain pag hindi lutong bahay.” Hindi makapaniwala na saad ni Chas.

“Grabe siguro trauma ng mama mo.” Winter commented.

“Papa ko ang nagka-truma.” Not only my father, but the entire family.

“Edi pati mama mo hindi na rin talaga kumain ever ng pagkain galing sa labas?” Lawrence asked full of curiosity. I shook my head so they all looked at me, confused.

“Namatay siya agad, wala pang limang minuto matapos niya makain ‘yong pagkain na may lason.” The killer made sure my mother will not survive.

“What?!” Winter and Chas said in unison. I nodded.

“I’m sorry I shouldn’t have asked.” Winter apologized.

“Ayos lang, 2 year old ako nang mangyari ‘yon, kaya wala rin akong maalala. Naikwento lang ng papa ko sa akin.” My father open it up to me when I was 9 year old. I was so curious before why I did not have a mother. I always questioned my father so he opened it up to me.

“Ano nga palang plano natin para sa portfolio na gagawin natin?” iniba ko na agad ang topic to avoid the awkwardness.

“Hmm.. since we were told to make a portfolio why don’t we guys spend time together on Sunday?” Winter answered. The challenging part of our portfolio would be, we are not allow to tell details to our partner or ask our partner about their details. We need to find a way how to put a personal details for our partner’s portfolio.

“Hindi ako pwede ng Sunday e.” I cannot make it on Sunday because that would be my family day, even though I am away with my father and brother, we need to do video calls during Sunday and I need to go to church with nanang too.

“How about Saturday?” Winter asked.

“Pwede ako, kaso baka meron sa inyo na hindi pwede sa araw na ‘yon?” I asked.

“I’m good on Saturday.” Sage said.

“Me too.” Followed by Bryce.

“Me three.” Lawrence agreed too.

“Me four.” Sagot naman ni Chas.

“Well, I’ll be free on Saturday too, so it’s all set then?” Saad ni Winter. I sighed, mabuti naman.

We continued eating, patapos na ako sa pagkain nang bigla nalang kumalabog ang katabing mesa namin. I shifted my gaze to my right side and to my surprise I saw a man being thrown on my side, it was so fast to the point I wasn’t able to react. I was too stunned to move.

“What the hell, Damian!” Sage yelled. “Are you okay?” he asked, luckily this guy was too fast to pull me on his side since siya ang katapat ko. The guy that was thrown to me is on the floor now, while the guy who threw him, Damian stared at him angrily.

“Uhm yep.” I manage to answer. I was startled. Bahagya akong lumayo sa kanya dahil magkadikit kami, it looks like he is hugging me. Ang init, bigla.

“Ayos lang ba kayo Winter, Chas?” I asked, they sat the same side as me so I was wondering if natamaan sila. Nakatayo na sila ngayon. Tumango naman ang dalawa. I saw the guy on the floor, wounded. Kinuha ko ang bag ko na nasa sahig, at kinuha nag mini first aid kit ko at inalok don sa lalaki. Nagtatakang tinignan ako ng lalaki.

“Pang gamot sa sugat mo.” Saad ko. And again, almost everyone stared at me as if I am insane. Napa kunot noo nalang ako. Tinanggap naman ng lalaki ‘yong first aid kit na binigay ko.

“Thank you.” He thanked me while Damian is looking at me coldly then he walked out. What’s his deal? Is he really a trouble maker?

“You should keep your distance from guys who fought. Believe me, it’s for your own good.” Sage commented. I look at him, confused. Is it a bad thing to help?

“Oo, nga. Masyado ka kasing mabait Cali e, mamaya mapahamak ka.” Followed by Chas.

“Tell me, Cali. Are you really human? Because you look and act like an angel. You’re so beautiful inside and out.” Winter said. I look at her with wide eyes.

“Aren’t you the same?” I blurted out. Natutop ko naman agad ang bibig ko, did I just voice out what’s on my mind? Sighed, mahirap talaga ako magulat. I suddenly blurted out something I should not.

“Say that again?” She said, amused. Napakunot tuloy ako ng noo. I saw Chas, Bryce, Lawrence, and Sage with the same amused face.

“Uhm.. hindi ba at ganon ka rin? Noong niligtas mo ako sa cr, dati?” I cleared my throat.

“No, say it in English!” excited na utos ni Winter. Now, what?! Why would I? It’s the exact same thing naman.

“Ayaw.” I said as I pack my things.

“Ugh, c’mon, Cali.” Pilit ni Chas. Hell, no!

Nauna na ako sa kanilang lahat maglakad, nakasunod naman sila. I did my thing and brush my teeth, the guys went to the classroom first while Chas and Winter are pestering me to speak in English. Well, it’s not like I don’t want to, I’m just practicing my tagalog to be better. In Cebu we spoke English, Spanish and our Native language. You might be wondering why we speak Spanish, well it was because of my great grandfather. He is ¼ Spanish that’s why. But I don’t have Spanish blood in me anymore, I guess since it was my great grandfather. I considered myself as pure blooded Filipina.

“You sound so natural and alluring, why don’t you speak English?” Winter asked again, I look at her as I shook my head, other students viewed her as a cold hearted woman, but here she is acting like in front of me, can you believe that?

“I agree. Ok, ayaw mo magsalita so bakit nalang ayaw mo mag English?” gatong ni Chas. I rinsed my mouth before answering her.

“Gusto ko kasi mapraktis ang tagalog ko.” I plainly said.