Drawn to His Flame

Kabanata 7

Troubled

"I really thought na makapagpapahinga na ako! This is annoying!" Shell groaned while she fanned herself using her hands. Hindi ko rin naman siya masisisi. Katatapos lang din kasi ng prelims namin kanina lang pero tambak agad kami sa mga gawain.

With research as the worst of them all.

Natuod naman ako bigla sa kinatatayuan ko nang may biglang umakbay sa akin. "Hirap maging leader 'no?" rinig kong tukso ni Clay na bagong dating kay Shell.

Tinaasan lang siya ng kilay ng huli bago sumagot. "So what? At least hindi ako pabuhat. Right, Regan?"

Umarte namang nasasaktan si Clay habang hawak-hawak niya ang kanyang dibdib. "Grabe ka naman, Shell. Hindi mo lang alam pero ako ang asset ng grupo namin! You'll know when our defense happens," pahayag ni Clay bago kumindat.

Awtomatikong nagbago ang mood ni Shell at nakita ko na lang na namumutla na siya. "Gosh! Nakalimutan ko na may defense pa pala pagkatapos ng mismong research! Why did I even agree to be a leader?" Napahilamos siya pagkatapos sa mukha niya gamit ang kanyang mga kamay.

"Tsk. Tsk. Nasa huli talaga ang pagsisisi, 'no?"

Siniko ka naman si Clay kaya sa wakas ay lumayo na siya sa akin. "Don't fret over it. Hindi ka naman nag-iisa. You have your group, Shell. Lead them and work together," pagpapalakas ko sa loob ng kaibigan ko.

It's because I knew her. She gets frightened by responsibilities easily that's why I was really surprised when I first learned that she was their group's leader. Pero baka katulad ko ay sinusubukan niya ring talunin ang takot niya.

She gave me a small smile afterwards. She looked like she was about to say something but she pursed her lips tight when the copies of their group's questionnaire arrived. "I'll go now, guys. Marami pa kasi kaming bibisitahin na sections para sa survey," Shell informed us.

"Do you need help?" tanong ko habang sinusuri ang dami ng pina-reproduce nila.

"Thanks, Reg! But no need. On the way na 'yong ibang kagrupo ko." Bumukas naman pagkatapos ang pinto ng printing shop at nakita ko ang pagdating ng mga kaklase namin. "Speaking of," Shell said before chuckling.

"We'll go now. Huwag muna pala akong hintayin mamaya, Reg. Mauna ka nang umuwi, okay?" wika ni Shell na sinagot ka naman ng tango.

Nang makaalis siya kasama ang grupo niya ay napaupo na ako sa malapit na swivel chair. Tumaas naman ang kilay ko nang makita kong binibigyan ako ni Clay ng isang malisyosong tingin.

"Do you like her?" he bluntly asked without even attempting to hide the smirk on his face.

"What do you mean?"

Hinawakan niya ang balikat ko bago lumapit sa akin para bumulong. "You acting like a gentleman to her already tells a lot, bro." I shoved Clay away and he laughed because of what I did. Feeling close talaga ang lalaking 'to.

"You got it all wrong," tanging sagot ko sa kanya bago napasandal sa aking inuupuan. I didn't know that being courteous and respectful to women would give a different kind of impression to others.

"Okay, sabi mo eh," Clay replied but it was obvious that he wasn't convinced. Hindi na ako nag-aksaya pa ng laway para depensahan ulit ang sarili ko dahil alam kong mas tutuksuin pa ako ng lalaki kapag ginawa ko 'yon. "By the way, do you have plans with Shell tomorrow? Gusto niyo bang sumama sa amin ni Fiona?" he asked again.

"Hindi ko alam kay Shell pero uuwi ako bukas sa amin."

Clay's face began to crumple as if what he heard from me totally destroyed his mood. "Seriously? That's a bummer, Reg! Hindi na matutuloy ang double date sana nating apat bukas kapag gano'n."