Lahat ng Kabanata ng BLURRED LINES : Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

“I’m homeless,” I muttered, lazily transferring my anger absentmindedly onto the paper I was holding. We just finished our class and for the first time, I wasn't able to even grasp what was taught, which was unusual considering my mind is always preoccupied every now and then with my final thesis and work; but I couldn't just because of that stupid smug face. Karl didn’t even look up from her notes,“you are literally seated.” “I share a room with a man.” That got her attention. I hadn't told her about the verdict after seeing the dorm manager concerning the plumbing issue. She turned slowly, and blinked once. Then twice.“…A man-man?” I rolled my eyes. “Yes, Karl. A male. XY chromosomes, deep voice, annoying laugh, Smug face.” Her pen clattered on the desk. “Oh my God,” she breathed, leaving her seat, hands covering her mouth dramatically as she settled on my desk. “Is he ugly?” I lifted my eyes from my sketching just enough to glare at her. “That’s your first concern?” S

I didn’t see him for days which is impressive, considering we live in the same apartment. It became like a silent sport. I left early and he left earlier. I came back at odd hours, his shoes would be gone and his gym bag would disappear. The kitchen would smell faintly of something edible and smug. It was like living with a ghost who protein-shakes. And I hated that I noticed but happy I was, some peace and quiet at least. I just finished having my afternoon lectures, and I was walking towards the grass to sit down and get some air and inspiration, when Karl spotted me before I could pretend I hadn’t seen her. She was sprawled dramatically across the grass outside the humanities building, notebook open on her stomach, pen between her teeth like she was auditioning for a tortured-poet documentary. “Olandria!” she called, squinting at me. “You look…combustible.” “I am peaceful,” I said, dropping my bag beside her. She stared. “You look like someone who lost an argument to

The coffee shop smelled like burnt caramel and poor life choices. I stood behind the counter, wiping the same already-clean surface for the fourth time in two minutes. The hum of the espresso machine, the chatter of customers, the clinking of ceramic; it should’ve been grounding, familiar even but instead, my thoughts were loud. Too loud. “A week,” I muttered under my breath, dragging the cloth across the counter again. “A whole week.” “With your soulmate.” I didn’t even turn. “Karl, I swear…” “I’m just saying,” Karl slid onto the stool opposite the counter like she owned the place, oversized bright red sunglasses perched dramatically on her head matching her very bright-almost blinding outfit and personality, “the universe is working overtime for your love life.” “My love life is not a group project.” Karl gasped dramatically. “It literally is. Didn’t you say ‘mandatory collaboration’?” She air-quoted with unnecessary enthusiasm. It was obvious she enjoys my suffering. I

By the time my shift ended, I was running on autopilot mode. I had spent the entire day pretending everything was fine; smiling at customers, getting orders right just enough not to get fired, ignoring Karl’s relentless commentary but the words hadn’t left me. ‘You might be in trouble.’ It sat at the back of my mind like a ticking clock; So instead of going home after my shift, I went looking for him. The rugby field was louder than I expected, not just noise but the energy. Sharp whistles cut through the evening air, followed by the heavy thud of bodies colliding, the scrape of boots against grass, the rhythmic calls of players moving in formation. The field lights had just flickered on, casting long shadows across the turf, and turning everything a shade more intense than it probably was. I slowed near the edge of the field, arms folding instinctively as I took it all in. It was chaos but organized chaos. Rugby players in red and black striped jerseys with our college logo e

(Olandria's pov) By the time the bus finally rolled to a stop, the sky had already dipped into that deep shade of blue that came just before night fully took over. Everything felt… slower and heavier. It was like the day had stretched too far and now the world was catching up with it. I didn’t move immediately, neither did he. “Are we there?” someone groaned from the front. “No,” another voice replied dryly. “We just stopped for vibes.” A few tired laughs followed. Then the bus doors opened with a soft hiss and just like that, it was real again. The building looked big through the darkness, and something else I noticed was the tall windows reflecting the faint glow of the bus lights, making it feel less like a creative space and more like something that watched you back. I stepped off the bus slowly, adjusting my bag on my shoulder as a cool breeze brushed against my skin. People moved around me: stretching, yawning, dragging luggage across the pavement, all with no excit