When The Rain Stops

Chapter 8 - Mr. Popular

Chapter 8 - Mr. Popular

Then one day, my monotonous school routine was disturbed when I was entered the library and it was packed with students, there were only two vacant tables left, so I took the one and brought out my Anatomy and Physiology book and my notes to review, I also place my earphones on not to be disturbed by the students in the Lib.

I looked at the person who took the vacant chair in front of me, and there is Vince widely smiling and waved a hand. I just returned my gaze at the book I am reading, I wrote on my notes the important details to remember, and thank God, Vince did not bother me. After several minutes, he gently tapped the table to get my attention so I looked up at him and raised an eyebrow to ask 'what?' He signaled me to remove my earphones, so I did.

"You are hungry."

"I'm not" it is true, I am not, even though I have not ate for lunch yet coz I need to review.

"I heard your stomach little Amy"

"I do not feel hungry, Vince. And I need to review" yeah I need to study kahit sa makalawa pa yung quiz namin, nag-advance na akong mag-review kasi baka matambakan na naman kami ng gawain at mawalan ako ng oras, so since free time naman nag-review nalang ako.

"You did not review last night? And you are cramming now?"

"I did, and no."

"Okay na yan. Matalino ka naman e. Let's go to the cafeteria. I have not had my lunch yet."

"You can go by yourself"

"Then should I tell your Mom that you are not eating for lunch?" ngisi niyang sagot. Alam kong pagagalitan nila ako pag hindi ako kumakain.

"Fine." I closed my book and put my stuff in my bag, then suddenly two ladies approached our table.

"Hi po." Ngiting saad nung isang babae kay Vincent, they are first year since hindi rin ito naka uniporme at kaming first year lang ang allowed.

Vincent smiled at the lady, "Yes? Anything, miss?"

Napansin ko naman ang pamumula ng pisngi nila. I feel you girl, ganyan ba namang ka-gwapo na nilalang yung ngingiti sayo.

"K-kayo po yung nanalo sa pageant ng Mr. Laurent University last year diba? Pwede po pa-picture kuya?"

Oh? Well, di naman nakakapagtaka na sumali ang kumag na 'to sa mga ganyan, halata namang may ibubuga, itsura palang.

"Yeah, sure" Vincent stood up at tumabi sa kanila.

"Sis, pwede paki-picture po kami?" abot sa akin nung isang babae ang kanyang iPhone.

I took a picture of them, matapos nun ay lumabas na kami ni Vince sa Lib.

"So you are Mr. Popular now huh?" he laughed at how I called him Mr. Popular.

"Nah, just got lucky."

We immediately found a sit "what do you want? ako na o-order" Vince asked.

"Anything." I handed him a 500 peso bill but he refused to take it. Hinayaan ko nalang na siya ang pumila kasi pansin ko nang pumasok kami sa dito sa Cafe maraming nakatingin saamin. Well, he is Mr. Popular. Pero nakita ko ang mga matang nagtatanong na nakatingin saakin. I heard whispering questions like "Who is she? What is she doing with him? Bago ba niya? etc" pero hindi ko nalang pinansin.

I wonder what the reputation of Vince here is, aside from being the Mr. Laurent Univ. or should we say Mr. Popular?

Baka naman kasi marami siyang babae dito kaya ganon yung mga tanong kanina?

Nang ilapag ni Vince ang pagkain ko ay umilaw ang aking cellphone at nag pop-up don ang groupchat ng aming klase. The chairman informed us that classes of all departments this afternoon will be cancelled kasi may emergency meeting daw ang lahat ng staff which will be led by each department head.

I breathe in relief coz this just means that I will be having more time to review.

Napatingin ako kay Vince na abala rin sa kanyang phone, "you guys too?" he asked.

Tumango lamang ako bago kumain.

"How are your classes?"

"Great...so far. I guess?" I answered before sipping on my pineapple juice

"No one was bullying you or somethin'?"

"Why would they? This is not High School anymore." May nambu-bully pa ba sa college? Ang immature naman pag ganon.

"Nothing. I just asked coz you were always bullied when you were still a kid. Then you would run to me crying, telling me who picked on you. You were like 'Vinvin! Jack pulled my hair and told me I am ugly.' " He chuckled like a kid who was recalling a very amusing story in his head.

"I never did that." Yeah I remember I was bullied when I was a kid until grade school and early high school, but I do not remember crying over it, and worse run to him para magsumbong? Sus, gawan ba naman ako ng kwento. Pero honestly, I remember that scene. It was embarrassing.

"You may be pretending Little Amy, but what happened that day is still clear in my memory"

"Whatever Vince."

Napatigil ako sa pagkain nang masabuyan ako sa mukha ng malamig na soda. Some students gasped at what happened. Napatingin ako sa aking damit na basa na ngayon bago tumingin sa babaeng nasa gilid ng aming table.

"Oh my gosh. I am so sorry. Natapilok kasi ako" her apology was not sincere coz she was trying so hard to hide her smile which she keeps on failing.

Inalis ko ang aking salamin at agad naman akong dinaluhan ni Vince trying to wipe my face with a tissue. I took the tissue from him and wiped myself.

"What the hell was that Jen?" galit na tanong ni Vince sa babae.

"I am sorry for what happened to your... new.. b!tch."

"What? Apologize sincerely Jen!"

"Siya ba ang pinalit mo sakin? First year, Vincent?"

"You were never my girlfriend Jen. We just hangout remember?"

"Stop it, Vince. You are just wasting your time at her." Tinignan ko siya ng masama saka ngumisi na siyang naging dahilan naman ng kanyang lalong pagkainis.

I stood up to go find a restroom, wala pa namang cr dito sa Caf. Sumunod naman sakin si Vince palabas ng Caf. When I found a restroom at a nearby building, I quickly washed the sticky feeling on my face caused by the soda. I honestly wanted to slap that girl earlier when she called me b!tch. I just calmed myself down coz I do not wanna be summoned by the Office of Student Affairs because of it. First year palang ako ayokong magka-record agad doon. At kapag nabalitaan nila Mommy e tiyak maga-alala lang ang mga yun. And actually I never expected na may ganon parin palang nangyayari dito sa college? Sa loob pa talaga ng Uni. I know the school does not tolerate such behavior but marami parin namang matatapang na gumawa at siguro may connection rin sa loob ng Uni kaya nakakalusot.