Episode 5: souls entangled

“Dude, you’ve been reading that for ages” complained Omar as he flipped though centuries old text books. “I really think we should get something to eat”
“I am not hungry” replied the obviously irritated Luis. “sumama ka pa kase sabi nang wala kang trip dito” (I knew you shouldn’t have came with me, this does not interest you)

“Well, at least that librarian is hot” commented Omar as the librarian passes their table pushing a book cart bound for the back sections of the library.
Luis just shrugged and continued reading the article that so grasped his interest.
“What’s so special about this story anyway? I thought your writing about the Malleus Maleficarum? (Witch’s hammer) said Omar as he snatches the piece of parchment in Luis’ hands.
“Because, that – is one of the first recorded events that the book was used” replied Luis as he snatches back the parchment much to the surprise of Omar. Luis knew that taking Omar to the National Library is a royal disaster, but the leech of a best friend that he has insisted of coming not to read; but to finally convince him to “finish” his thesis. Omar has been pushing Luis to shortcut his thesis so that he could finally join him in attending Grad parties and such events. Omar even said to him once “a senior not drunk is not a senior at all”. But Luis always shuts him down. This whole business of witches has totally engulfed all his attention. Finally accepting defeat, Omar sits on his side of the table, piling up books that he could use as a pillow. Luis takes a final look at his friend and returns to his reading. Luis is a good looking guy. A few trips to the shower and a good haircut would surely make him look like Mr. UST. But he chooses to grow his hair so that it covers most of his face, he only wears jeans, sneakers, and mono colored shirts, much to the disdain of Omar who, in the UST food chain, is the perfect guy. Girls line up to be Omar’s date for parties and social events all around school. This is the reason why many wonder why a good looking guy driving a Mercedes would choose to hang out with the Lit College’s resident geek. Omar’s explanation when confronted with this question is always “do I ask you where you crap? No. because that’s a personal decision. So don’t ask me who I choose to keep my crap” this undying loyalty and incredible affinity with books keep these freshmen roommates friends for their entire college life. And so is the reason why Luis has to finish this thesis. Omar’s thesis about the Noli Me Tangere has so astounded the Lit faculty in UST that it has already been deemed “thesis of the year” even though half of the thesis of the graduating class has not yet been reviewed. The entire faculty except 1, Dr. Mateo Chavez, head of the European department and Luis’ thesis adviser believes that Omar’s thesis is the best. Dr. Chavez or, Dream Killer as the students so affectionately calls him for his Zero Tolerance on sleeping students, believes that Luis’ may have stumbled upon a wonderful thesis. “The Malleus Maleficarum and its contribution to the persecution of early Filipino inhabitants during the Spanish rule” is truly a unique topic and has “great potential” as the Dr. often refers to it. Dr. Chavez’ continued pressure to Luis further drove his obsession to finish what he already has invested long hours of not sleeping into.

“I can’t get it” mumbled Luis as he parted his long hair that has blocked his view of Omar. “What?” Omar replied as he flipped open his cell phone to check for messages. “The book clearly stated that most witches are Women, but in this story, they burned the young man instead of the girl. What’s up with that?
“Maybe the girl’s too young” replied Omar as he searches the perimeter for the hot librarian that he’s been goggling at all day.
“Nah, no age restrictions for witches” mumbles Luis as he re-read the parchment again.
“Maybe their not burning a witch, like you said, he’s a murderer. He killed all those people in 1 night. Crazy son of a bitch. He deserves to be burned alive” stated Omar as he returns the books to the shelves that they took it from.
“something‘s not right with this story.”
Well, whatever it is, we can’t deal with it with an empty stomach. Let’s go have dinner. My treat” offered Omar, who after the long hours spent in the National Library, is willing to do anything just to get out of this “hell hole with books” as he likes to call it.
“I can’t bro, sorry. I am going to have dinner with my sister”
“si ate?! Sama ko!” exclaimed Omar as he rushes his book returning chore. “No one’s hotter that your sister man. That’s 1 of the reasons why I am friends with you” snickered Omar as Luis looks at Omar with a puzzled look. “I know you like my sister, but you’re actually volunteering to eat Hospital food?”
“Yup!”
“Then let’s go it’s her break in 20 minutes “said Luis as they Exit the main building of the National Library and into Kalaw St. where Omar parked his black Mercedes.
“Dude, there’s traffic at Taft, we should take this St.” pointing to a street adjacent to 711 store.

“You sure your Ate won’t mind me tagging along” asked Omar

“Yup. It can’t get any worse. They already serve crap food at PGH.”