Hell Week Has Come

Hell Week has come. Busier than ever, we are all on our toes with heads down low reading, and reviewing for exams that are fast approaching. I have been ticking my pen endlessly since the moment I started reading our books.

Gayle looked at me annoyingly, "Chlea, can you please stop popping your pen? It makes me lose focus."

I ticked my pen one last time and grinned. Gayle, Molly, and I are in the library for long as I can remember. We are supposed to study but Molly docked her head down and slept after reading for only 3 minutes. She said, "I don't really study, it makes me more confused." Just approximately two hours from now, our first major examination will take place in the grand social hall.

The students inside the library are busily jotting down notes, reading the same paragraph, highlighting important texts, and all in all, desperate to gain and retain knowledge for this crucial moment. I spent hours studying last night but not too late because I am afraid I might fall asleep during the exams. Right now, I am just reviewing the things I have written down yesterday and once I finish this, I should be good to go.

"Ahhhhh!" Gayle shrieked as she bopped her head on the table.

The other students turned their heads to our way and stared gravely. A senior even pointed to signage that says "Silence Please".

"What's the matter?" Molly asked.

Gayle repeatedly scratched her head. "I can't seem to understand this concept. I have been reading this paragraph a hundred times already!"

Molly snatched Gayle's book and silently read the paragraph. "Tss, Noam Chomsky meant that all of us has this so-called innate ability to acquire language. He called it 'Universal Grammar'."

I looked at her in astonishment, "Wow! You made that sound so easy!" And then clapped silently.

She smiled at me and winked, "Yeah, that's how you do it."

Bzzzbzzz.

My phone suddenly vibrated, it is a text from Vaughn. He said that he is at the library's main entrance and from where I am at, I can clearly see him now. His hands are crossed together and is smiling from afar. Vaughn is wearing a royal blue shirt and looks so cool as ever.

"Your boyfriend is waiting for you, Chley. Perks of having a boyfriend." Gayle said and then went back to reading.

I gathered my stuff and put it inside my bag. "Girls, see you at the examination hall later. Fighting!" I said and then tapped both of their shoulders.

"Hey, beautiful. How is it going?" He asked while stroking a finger on his slightly disheveled hair.

I fixed my ponytail and slid my eyeglasses back up. "Well, I guess I am doing great. I finished my pending readings and I should be good to go two hours from now." With all confidence, I replied.

"That's good. How about a cup of coffee to reward ourselves?" Vaughn excitedly suggested. I couldn't help but notice the dark circles under his eyes. He must have studied hard as well. I mean taking up Engineering is no joke. Vaughn is someone I admire so much. I suck big time at numbers so I think highly and respect him so much.

Vaughn pushed the door open for me and the usual coffee bean aroma welcomed us with warmth. "Iced Americano for me, love." I chided and gave him my card. But he declined and winked at me. I don't like being paid for by him all the time. One thing I love about Vaughn is that he never told me that he should be paying always but there are just these times that he would decline.

While waiting, I submerged my head on the table and closed my eyes. I can't help but be tired as well. A few moments later, I felt a slight tap on my back which made me sit up straight. I was slouching earlier and I could feel my backache. Vaughn sat next to me and massaged my back gently using his point and middle finger.

"How are you doing? Care to spill the tea?" I asked after taking the first sip of my cold coffee.

He gave me a 'Hmmm' look. "Using figurative speeches, huh? I'm doing fine, Miss Linguist." He teasingly replied.

"Is that so? You look tired." I uttered worriedly. I'm just not used to seeing him like this. Of course, I know he could have pulled an all-nighter but I just ought to know from himself.

"Well... something happened in our house last night. I couldn't sleep." He replied while trying to sound as casual as possible. See? He did not even mention studying. This is the reason why I should always ask him and not assume what the reason could be.

I placed my coffee on the table and gazed at him dearly. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Being with you is enough."

"Now isn't that so sweet!" I shrieked which made both of us laugh. That's it. He acts like he is all tough on the outside but he certainly is not. I know he has Brook as his best friend but there are also things he would not discuss with him and that a girlfriend can only listen. I hope the time will come when he could confide to me without hesitations because honestly speaking, there are also things I can't bring myself to discuss with him. For example, the arranged marriage I am in to.

The rest of the days went on like a storm in a vast ocean. And right now, we are in the phase of recovering. Today is Friday, the last day of Hell Week. Usually, Friday is consumed for celebrations. Today is probably the most chill day of the week and our brains get to finally rest. As usual, my brain cells are already on the verge of its extinction. Since I have homeschooled all my life, this week is probably the maximum I have used my brain. Examinations are no joke because we were seated a few meters away from each other. No cheating was tolerated. It was indeed a nerve-wracking situation.

A few days ago, I have seen Gayle at her most basic look. She was so busy studying that her usual chic and sassy aura was thrown at the trash bin. During Hell Week, she was only wearing jeans and a white shirt. But now, she is in her best attire. Gayle is wearing a pleated checkered mini skirt paired with sneakers and a crop top. She is also wearing a checkered headband and is wearing her white shoulder bag. I can say she looks so beautiful today.

"Gayle, you're back!" Molly teased her.

Gayle just flipped her hair, "Of course, hell weak is freaking done! I get to style myself again and not worry about those darn tests. Anyway, where should we head to now that classes are over?"

"Oh! How about we drop by the school administration office to check our dorm application?" Molly merrily suggested.

"Sure, why not? Chlea, can you go with us?" Gayle turned to me and flashed a 'Say yes, please.' look.

I slid my glasses up. "Of course! I'd love to go with you girls." I just realized I have been spending little time with them. My first college friends.

The university administration office is filled with staff busily typing or rummaging through papers. It is the situation wherein you are hesitant to approach any of them because they are too busy. But with Gayle being her confident self, approached a woman whom I think is in her late 40s and wearing a thick pair of spectacles.

"Excuse me? Who can we talk to about our dorm application?" She asked prettily.

"This way, please." The woman answered monotonously almost inaudible.

We were led to a path with more and more piles of papers. And a man in his early 50s was waiting for us. Gayle led the conversation and apparently, we can finally move in next week, which is two days from now.

Yikes, I have not even asked Dad about it yet which is why the moment I arrived at my house, I immediately gave him a phone call. I do hope he is in a good disposition right now.

Without hesitation, I dialed his number on my phone. Ironic. He is my father but my memory of calling him for purposes like this is very limited.

"Hello, Chlea?" A tired baritone voice answered.

It took me a few seconds to answer. There is like a big lump of saliva stuck in my throat. I took a deep breath. "Yes, Dad. This is Chlea. Uhm, I have something to ask from you. Can you spare me a minute?"

He went silent for a few seconds as well. It seems that Dad has been so busy too he has not bugged me about the engagement. I know for certain the moment he is silent is that he was with people outside and went back to his office.

"Sure. Anything you ask." Dad has always been like that. He feels like whatever I ask is material. That is why he is confident he can buy it for me. But most of the time, I don't ask for material things. And as you can see, asking him to let me live in a dorm is not material in any sense.

I scratched my eyebrows trying to find the good words to say that will not infuriate him in any sort. "Uhm, Dad. Will you let me live in our university dormitory? It is very safe there, Dad. There are no boys allowed. In fact, I will be with my block mates. Gayle and Molly." I said.

As expected, he went silent once again. I am sure he is contemplating what I just said.