When It Rains

Chapter 10

"SERENITY! LET'S HAVE LUNCH TOGETHER." Lumingon siya kay Roseanne na kasama si Wendy. Pareho ang mga itong nakangiti habang nakatayo sa gilid niya.

"Uhm..." She pressed her lips together. Hindi talaga siya nasanay na may kumakausap sa kan'ya. Sometimes she wonder is something's wrong with her brain or it is just because of her anxiety. "I plan to have lunch alo—"

"Sige na!" Pamimilit ni Wendy at nilibot ang braso nito sa braso niya. "Successful ang presentation natin kay Prof. Ladezma. Manglilibre daw si Paolo." Sumimangot ito. "Sayang naman kung tanggihan mo, 'di ba?"

She massage her nape and just nod that make the two giggle. Wala namang dahilan para tumanggi siya. And she wanted to experience how it feels to eat with them. Sign na ba 'to na matatapos na ang pagiging loner niya? Or was it because she avoid it from happening again? The thing happened yesterday?

And come to think of it, Paolo and Lloyd saw them. Hindi nga lang niya alam kung ano ang iniisip ng dalawa no'ng oras na 'yon. But just like what she decided yesterday, she just have to go with the flow and see things herself.

Matapos ilagay sa bag sa mga gamit ay nilagay niya ito sa upuan at lumabas dala ang wallet at cellphone. She can't just leave without it. Naghihintay na roon ang iba. Medyo naa-awkward-dan pa siya pero buti nalang at madali lang silang pakisamahan. And most of all, she didn't feel outcast. Hindi pa nga siya masyadong makatingin kay Paolo at Lloyd dahil baka magtanong ang mga ito. But they acted like they saw nothing and that makes her sigh in relief.

"Hoy, Paolo! Cheeseburgers sa 'kin." Sabi ni Wendy dito. It's embarrassing to admit but she can still count on her fingers how many times she entered the school cafeteria. Kasi nga, bumibili lang siya ng pagkain sa convenience store tapos sa classroom lang kumakain. She actually feel a little uncomfortable right now because the place is crowded. Buti nalang at hindi siya mag-isa.

"Oo na." Napakamot si Paolo sa ulo. "Ang haba ng pila." Reklamo nito. "Ikaw, Serenity? Anong gusto mo?"

She look at him. Nang hindi agad siya nakasagot ay nagsalita si Roseanne. "Cheeseburgers rin sa kan'ya at kape."

Her choice is okay. She thought. But she wonders how Roseanne knows she likes coffee? Nakikita ba siya nito sa coffee shop?

Paolo and Lloyd volunteered to order while the three of them find a vacant table. Hindi niya alam kung malas ba na katabi pa talaga ng table kung saan nakaupo ang binata. Her heart was racing again she noticed who sat across him.

It was no other than Miss Briane. Both of them are having lunch and she can't help but to wonder why are they together?

Dahil may mga kasama siya ay hindi nalang niya pinahalatang nagtataka siya at nagkunwari na wala siyang nakita. She feel him glance at her but she pretended to be waiting. Hanggang sa dumating si Paolo at Lloyd ay hindi na niya ito nilingon.

Their sitting arrangement was Paolo on her left and Wendy on her right. Nasa harap naman nila si Roseanne at Lloyd. Aside from the order they mentioned earlier, Paolo said Lloyd added a ham and bacon pizza and spaghetti that made Wendy happy.

"Anyway, what do you think about visiting Elite Cafè again?" Wendy suggested while eating. "I really like it there."

"Malayo 'yon sa school, 'no." Said Lloyd.

Wendy glared at him. "Bakit? Sinabi ko bang during Weekdays tayo pupunta, ha?"

Serenity didn't mind them and just continue eating. She can still feel him glance from time to time. How? Well, it's because she can see him clearly from the corner of her eyes. Good thing Paolo is blocking him.