Chapter 33

"Hey, what if the child is so naughty?"
"Shake it too. Let's see who will stop first," I said as I announced the sandwich Nica had brought.
We have free time now. Both did not feel like entering the library, so while others were still using the room they would enter later, they preferred to stay in the Shed first.
I couldn't trace any details of Kiesha and Zion since earlier. As soon as I arrived, I immediately looked for them. Deliberately aim for each room in order to be able to see. But neither Anino of them achieved anything.
"It's like you're a timang then. The child might cry."
"He was the first to shave, you just answered."
"You're really strong to advise."
"Of course. We are talking about the kindergarten here," for the third time. I took a glimpse on my phone.
Still no message from them. Even 'Hi' or 'Good morning' at least. Kiesha used to do that ... Why not now?
Where are they?
Especially that man. I have not yet been formally grateful for it. How can I do that, when he's nowhere to be found?
Did they skip class today? For what?
Kiesha is just demented, but she doesn't just miss it. Only then will they run away when they shake the class, or the attendance is over.
"You indeed love teaching," Nica's lips rose in sarcasm.
He also knows what I really want. That"s not the child"s teaching. It's not that I hate kids, I do like them and would want to have one in the future. But teaching them is not really the only accompaniment to my interest.
I can teach guys my age. But that doesn't mean I am so good at it. There are more moments I get annoyed if they don"t immediately get the point they want to convey. But for the allowance, one has to endure and extend patience.
"By the way, the school's foundation day is small. What do you think the club's plan is this year?"
"I don't know. I'm not the president."
"But you're still an officer."
"We'll have a meeting later."
I would have forgotten that thing, but he still reminded me. I didn't asked anyone to vote me as vice president cause I know there's no way I could handle the position very well.
It's only been a week and foundation day. Each organization will once again showcase its individual capabilities within the campus. All of the students are advised to take part in the fun event. There was supposed to be a yell, singing and dancing contest, battle of the brains, and other contests that I hadn"t even tried to figure out. I don't care about those. If there was no position to play that day, I would have preferred to be absent or to support the performance of Kiesha and her dance companions.
I can dance too. But only up to the bedroom. Others will die of ridicule when they see my worm-like motion.
"Zed!"
Nica turned her back on us at once, after hearing Eden's voice. The woman is often Kiesha"s opponent in everything because of its blatant copying of her sense of fashion and things to do.
The witch called my friend's girlfriend. The plant slightly obscured our position so the two wouldn"t immediately notice. It is very free to watch and listen to their conversation from here.
"'Did you go home right away last night?'
"Kiesha is tired," Zed replied flatly.
"You should have stayed a bit late. Your girlfriend has another bodyguard with her, there's no need to take her home."
"I am the boyfriend. I have a responsibility to make sure of his safety."
I couldn"t help but slightly applaud Zed"s answer. He added points to me.
"They continued the race after your disappearance."
"I know ...."
"You won't even get angry?" the bitch dramatically held her chest. It looks like he still wants a fight between Zed and friends.
"They notified me first before making a decision."
"Really, why don't I know?"
"You're busy flirting with Duke."
"Are you jealous?"
Hala, the courage!
"Nope."
"I thought-"
"Zed, the class is about to start," another character suddenly entered the scene. Reason to cut off the word that Eden would have uttered.
"Okay ... Si kiesha nga pala, have you seen her?"
"It's on the second floor, just arrived."
Zed left without a word. Something that the witch had insulted and openly insulted.
"What is that. I'm always left behind ..."
Serves you right! Obviously, there is a plan to flirt with the person you already love. I mean, she's already doing the part.
Let's just see what the consequences of what he does will be. Is it just a tweak, or a cemetery right away?
Just thinking about the possible outcome in Kiesha's hands, I feel sorry for her. It's still a monster when that woman is angry.
"I'll leave you first, huh? I'll just go to Kiesha."
I'm just going to Zion.
I should have said that instead. It's not my own friend that I want to see now, but the one who serves as a handsome man.
Aside from wanting to say thank you, I also wanted to check the condition of its wound and give the purchased medicine that was not taken last night.
"Just go straight to our room," Nica grabbed the laid out equipment one by one. "I'll look for Max too, have fun," a weak laugh it finally let out before I left first.
I said goodbye, he left.
I'm also really obsessed with the way he thinks, tsk!
I even preceded Zed in climbing the stairs. There's something else typing on the phone, so it stops.
"I"ll tell Kiesha that you"re passing on a message to another woman," I joked. Next is a gentle slap on the back.
"When that convinced you-"
"What? You can never hurt a bestfriend. That's a minus point," I lifted my chin up. Challenging him to create a striking statement.
"I've given up. I don't want to talk to you Gee. And I'm just texting mama. I'm asking if Kiesha can visit the house later."
I still have to go back to the past to confirm what it said. I snatched his phone away and read the message.
'Nak, can we invite Kiesha later for family dinner?'
Take a look and even his mother supports the relationship.
All right, it's not enviable. Soon, I'll probably have the same setup. I just really organize learning and choosing the right person.
"Oh," I casually threw the phone at Zed. When he ran away to go ahead and talk to Kiesha.
Just a deal. Some days I haven't been able to.
But instead of him, Zion herself first appeared to me. He was leaning on the wall, with his hands on his pants pocket.
It was smiling in front of ... A small and beautiful woman.
This is the first time I saw him smile like that. The only thing I never thought he can do.
If I only knew, that woman should have been searched for to see her hidden smile immediately.
My eyes traveled around her physique.
Long straight black hair, pointed nose, white, puffy eyes, curvy lipstick, and slender body. She was a bit smaller than me, making her look like a cute and lovely girlfriend with Zi.
They're attention were stock only on each other. Obviously, don't have any reason to mind the censorious eyes of some, including mine.
From what I've seen, I guess they've known each other for a long time, or maybe they're in love. That's not impossible at all.
Zi is too mysterious. I shouldn"t be even more surprised at the sudden emergence of things about it. Just like this one ...
Slowly, I walked towards their direction. There was a mixture of caution, along with secret prayers that would have gone unnoticed.
I know eavesdropping is bad, but curiosity is killing me. I want an answer to the queries that was now running over my system.
To make sure you don't get caught. I really had the courage to enter a quiet room.
The door is noisy when opened. Assuming maybe the long-awaited prof, the students quickly turned their attention to me. Except for those who don't care and are busy with what they are doing. The numericals and calculators I saw on their armrest made me assume they were an accounting student. Maybe the teacher just left some work to do, so it's still very quiet even when no one is watching.
"Sorry, just passing by," I awkwardly said.
But I hear nothing in response, other than the shameless gossiping of some. They thought I was going crazy, for the room they passed through even though the corridor outside was big. Still disturbing ...
Before I could hear any words from them, I already managed to past through the next door. A group of students, talking about thier quiz help me hide my appearance from Zi and the woman, as of the moment.
But when they left, I had nowhere else to hide.
They were only meters away. But because of the noise of the group I approached, not a word from the two was heard.
Just like the accounting students, they also gave me the 'She's weird' look. Maybe I, when a stranger suddenly touches me, can think of others as well.
"I'm sorry huh? Just hiding for a while," I almost whispered.
"Geline Neilani Gavino!" si Kiesha.
Really shouted more.
It caught the attention of the students who were also waiting for the next class. They literally all turned in its direction. But just like the usual, she just gave them her sassy smile, flipped her hair newly colored hair, then confidently strutted towards me.
"My room is just there, why did you pass?" he asked while pointing to the first room that can be seen going up the stairs.
"Is it forbidden to go beyond now?" I have done nothing but leave the position.
The embarrassments that were done to reach this position did nothing to help, which Zi and her female companion did not notice.
Just a cry from a dear friend, the plan was ruined immediately.
"Hey, Zi! There you are," he whispered again. "Your girlfriend?" she pulled me towards them.
"Hi, I'm Martha," the woman kindly introduced, then extended her hand.
"I am Kiesha. And this is Gee, my bestfriend," she made me stretch my arm to accept the woman's hand.
"Nice to meet you!"
With the sweetness of its smile, it is impossible not to be infected. So maybe Zi was able to smile.
From her, my gaze went to him. He was staring right into the woman. Even if the expression is blank, there is still a little joy that can be seen.
He was fond of her. That was the only truth I know that cannot be a subject for debate.
I pursed my lips, as my eyes traveled up to his head.
It still has a bandage. But it was new to the spot I remembered last night. I think he changed or replaced it. His bruises were now turning to be black and violet, including the small cut on his lips.
"I'll just take Martha to her room."
I was pulled back to his treacherous eyes. Only then did I realize that it was looking at me now. Wearing the critical, but cold expression.
"I'll go straight to the place where I used to stay later."
It didn't even wait for our answer. Holding Martha's hand, she left immediately. Kiesha left us confused and gaping.
"Is that really Zion?"
"I don't know ..." I shrugged.
What happened to him? Something just came, it changed immediately ...
"His concept of 'survival of the fittest' means that human development had gone through an evolution series of stages from the simple to the complex and from the uniform to the more specialized kind of activity. Who do you think is this philosopher?" Nica's first question.
We are having our scheduled review today, at the very favorite spot inside the library. Only now are we lucky enough to sit here. Often preceded by others, so sometimes forced to sit at another table. The silence and privacy is what keeping us here. Far from the librarian, so even talking, there is no reason to be late. Unless you really want to come here on purpose.
There is a shelf blocking before the next table. Reason for what looked like a hidden room in the farthest part of the place where we were.
"What is your answer to this?"
Nica and I are together again. I'm about to get tired of her face, like Kiesha. But I need them, and vice versa. We just have to get used to each other"s appearance. Our exam is about to come, two days from now. So we had to study even harder for the achievement of each other's goals and objectives.
After that, will be the most awaited event ... Our foundation day.
"Don't you have a harder question there?" I was depressed. Then he stared at her reluctantly.
"Hala, that's hard for me!"
"Survival of the fittest ... From that phrase itself, we can easily specify the person whom your question meant. Herbert Spencer," I leanded backward. With arrogance drawn on my face.
"I'm not like you okay? I have to read a subject over and over again before I can finally understand. This woman, on the other hand, is very hurtful. She will really openly show the qualities I don't have," he snorted.
I also immediately felt guilty for what I had done. I almost forgot that humans have different level of understanding. What I can easily determine might be difficult for them.
"Sorry," I let out an awkward smile.
"It's okay," she scanned through her book. To find another topic to ask me again.
"Oh this ..." he sneezed and sat up.
"He saw teaching and learning as a process of inquiry in which the child must invent and reinvent the world."
"Paulo Friere," I answered quickly.
"The trick! You can answer too fast. Think about it sometimes?" he complained. Next comes open resentment.
"I am."
I shrugged. This time, we offered to swap roles. I am the questioner, he is the answerer.
"He said school and teachers should be agents of change."

"Si ..." he looked up, then placed his index finger on the side of his head. "I know that," she paused for a moment.
My legs staggered as I waited for its answer. No one looked around, until only a few books landed on the shelf.
"That's George Counts!" she finally answered.
Suppose not trying to peek in the book to find the correct answer. I clearly saw what she did on my peripheral vision, but this time I'll just let it slide.
'Never mind, still a review ...
"Is it really necessary to study law in criminology?" we heard the question of the woman with the familiar voice on the adjacent shelf. Where I am currently staring.
"Of course. Not just in crime, but also in other courses. We are all required to know the law," he coldly answered.
Coincidentally, they actually sat on the shelf with a vacant part. Reason for me to immediately see the ID and confirm their inferred identity.
Until now, they are still together. It will be three days. I was often spotted in the canteen, in the gym, and sometimes in the shed opposite the volleyball court. In hindsight, it seemed like they only knew each other. That Kiesha and Gee never exist in Zion's life.
I am not bitter about it. This is a good proof that he can be gentle to a girl. That he can be trusted because he respects the welfare of a woman.
They are already classmates, they are said to be close friends. This is a good sign for Zi. So at least he wouldn't have to be alone forever. Somehow we n Kiesha will be complacent that she will not be left alone, in case the path diverges.
They actually look more of a lovely couple, than just a simple acquaintance. Sometimes I hear talk about them. That's the thing, and a perfect family will be formed.
I can somewhat agree. For a week seeing them together, all I could think was the strong bond they probably have at the moment in which no one can ever break apart.
It's less common to talk now. That even give me a chance to say thank you even a few seconds is not done, okay. Him, becoming more distant to me for a shallow reason is not a big deal!
Every day he seemed to see only Martha. Then just stick to Kiesha if she calls because she needs to.
Am I jealous?
Of course, no!
Maybe just innovating ...
I am not attracted to him, so there now way I'd be jealous over his love interest.
That's how I frowned at my own thoughts. It intensified even more after hearing Martha's laughter. It's sounds too seductive and kinda annoying, tsk!
"Zi oh," Nica pushed me violently.
"I know ..." I pretended not to care. In fact, it would almost be awkward to think about how to interact with it in case the eyes meet.
"You don't even greet?"
"For what else?" I rolled my eyes.
"Someone's jealous," it scoffed suddenly.
"I am not," I firmly said.
My gaze shifted to the top of the shelf, where Zi's face was supposed to reflect.
And it wasn't a mistake. Its meaningful stare was the first thing I saw. Really openly even set aside a few distracting books to freely observe every detail of my face.
I could hardly feel my own breath. Contrary to the heart, I think it will be separated by a strong pulse. I couldn't think of something else, other than the intense and hyperventilating gaze he have tossed at me.
It's very lip biting. For a moment he bowed, then snatched his own phone from his pocket. He typed something, without heeding Martha's words.
Exactly when he hung up the phone, mine rang. I turned it quickly. Immediately saw his name, followed by the message that raised my high blood pressure.
To be continued...