Chapter 13 Thirteen

• Four years ago
• “The rain is really strong, is there a typhoon?” I stopped writing in my notes and looked out the window, the rain was indeed strong. With all the things we’re doing, I don’t know anymore what the weather is like these days.
• It’s Friday afternoon, almost five o’clock, but it’s very cold and dark, this will be the last month of the first semester of the second year, time flies, there’s more work to be done.
• “I don’t know, we have so much to do, I haven’t watched the news for days.” I answered and wrote again. “Did you finish the draft for our research? We need to finish that so we can submit it.” I reminded her, I’m almost done with the notes I’ll use for reviewing later, it’s our finals next week, then completion of requirements.
• “Yes, I’m almost done, I’ll send it to you tonight, you can just edit it, Jem and the others have finished their part.” I just nodded in response, because I’m really busy with my notes. “How’s my baby doing?” She asked absentmindedly, looking out the window.
• Our professor is gone, he left earlier, he cut his class with us because of an emergency meeting, so there are only a few of us left here.
• “Who’s the baby again?” It’s not like she changes it often, but maybe it’s a new one now, since it’s been six months since she mentioned a new name to me.
• “Who else? It’s Zander, my loves.” I almost laughed at what she said, ugh! I’m annoyed with them. Jaxon is not always there, I rarely see him.
• “Wow, it’s a miracle, it’s been so long.” I don’t know if my voice sounded sarcastic or genuinely amazed, I just found it funny. “But why are you still here? Adri left a while ago, didn’t she? Didn’t she tell you?” I asked, wondering why I’m like this, my heart is beating so fast as if I’ve been running.
• “No, I came here for you.” My heart beat faster with what he said.
• I stopped walking, I could hardly see his face, but I looked at his lips. Without hesitation, I touched it. “You have a wound.” He had a small cut on his lower lip.
• He put his hand on mine that was on his cheek. “Yeah, I got into a little fight, it got a bit rough.”
• I just nodded and removed my hand from his cheek, and continued walking, embarrassed by what I did, why didn’t I stop myself?
• “Why are you here by the way? Do you need something from me? Why didn’t you just text me?” He has my number anyway, or maybe he deleted it? By the thought of him erasing my number made me sad, damn I don’t know why.
• “Yes, have you eaten?” He asked, raising an eyebrow, I thought he was just joking, so I shook my head. “Great, I haven’t eaten yet either, let’s go, I know a place at the crossing that’s delicious.” I just went with him, somehow I felt comfortable with him. Adrisimula hasn’t been crying since they got back together, so it’s only right that I be nice to him.
• I didn’t expect that we would stop at a sisig stall at the crossing to buy sisig, it’s just walking distance from the University, he invited me to the food park to eat there, we also stopped at the convenience store to buy water.
• When we arrived at the park, there weren’t many people, but there were already many Christmas lights, there were tables where you could sit because there were artificial grass, we just looked for a better spot.
• “So, how are you?” He started the conversation while I was arranging our food.
• “Okay, how about you?” I didn’t know what to say next.
• “I’ve had a rough day today.” He paused for a moment and looked at me. “Is it okay if I vent?” I just nodded repeatedly, “So there, it’s so hard what they made us do, what the client wanted, I mean our professor, we have to finish the project without involving others, but the way of execution, it’s impossible not to involve others, it’s frustrating, right?” I laughed because he was like a kid reporting to his mom because he couldn’t accept what happened to him. “And my groupmate? He only knows how to fool around, he even played games while we were busy? We almost failed our project, if it weren’t for me, they would all be dead!” He continued and took a bite of sisig, he handed me the bottled water before he opened it and handed it to me, I thanked him and drank.
• “And then?” I also became interested in what happened to him today.
• “Then, we decided to keep it a secret among our group, because if our professor finds out, our grade might be lowered, it’s difficult, it should be good looking and smart.” I laughed in response, he’s epic in storytelling, annoying but funny.
• “But wait, why are you here? Do you have class today? Why aren’t you with Adrian today?” I asked, I really shouldn’t be the one with him.
• “He’s busy, he has a group research.” Oh right, they have that, maybe that’s why he invited me.
• “Grandchildren.” We both looked at the old man who suddenly approached us. His clothes were very dirty, he was only wearing slippers and shorts. “I’m Dante, I’ve been here for a long time, grandchildren.” He sat not far from us, “I used to be a jeepney driver, I’m from Clemente.” That’s far from here, how did he end up here alone? “One night while I was sleeping, I was robbed, they took my money and my jeep, grandchildren.” I noticed that one of his eyes is damaged, I wonder what happened to his eye? “They hit me with a rock, that’s why this happened to me.” It’s like he heard what was on my mind, so he answered it. “If it’s possible, and if you have a pure heart, can I ask for food, whatever you have so I can eat tonight?” He said while looking at the Styrofoam containing sisig. I wanted to refuse, but before I could speak, Jaxon immediately handed me a plastic with a separate Styrofoam.
• He looked at me for a moment before handing the plastic to the old man, then he smiled at me. “Let’s just buy another one, okay?” I just smiled and nodded. I’m not expecting him to be that kind and generous.
• “That’s yours, ‘Lo, and this, this is for you too.” He said and handed him the water we bought, I just laughed.
• The old man happily left while holding what he gave him.
• “Wow, Santa, is that you?” I teased him as the old man walked away from our spot.
• He just rolled his eyes at me and laughed, the park is starting to get crowded, there are children playing around, there are people having picnics, there are groups of friends doing school work, some have laptops and handouts, there are also couples whispering sweet nothings on the side. I hope no miracles happen there later, they should be ashamed in front of the children, they even chose a slightly dark place, they might start groping each other there, eww! The thought of that gross thing gives me goosebumps.
• “What are you thinking about again?” I looked at Jaxon because of what he said.
• “Nothing, why are you butting in?” I answered, I opened the styro with sisig, my mouth is watering with its smell, so I quickly got some, I remembered, we gave one sisig to the old man we bought, so I looked back at Jaxon who was looking at me smiling like crazy.
• “Sorry, there’s only one left, shall we share this?” I offered to him, he just nodded and took it.
• “I hope this will last.” He said softly but enough for me to hear, because he’s not too far away from me.
• “What?” I couldn’t understand what he was saying.
• He looked at me and smiled, “This, Us, here, eating peacefully. I love it, this is what I’ve always been dreaming of.”