Love and Trigger (Macimilian Series #3)

Chapter 3 Like

Chapter 3

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“Seryoso kang dito tayo mag-aaral, Astrid?” hindi makapaniwalang tanong sa akin ni Cali.

What did she expect? It’s a table and space for lodging or studying, what’s wrong do’n? I rolled my eyes as I sat down on one of the tables here in the land of the college department, where I didn’t, think of myself being associated with.

“We’ll just study. Bawal ba?”

“Mayroon namang space sa building natin ah? Saka we only have 30 mins! Ang layo pa nito.”

Hindi ko na siya pinansin at nagbuklat na ng notes. For the past days, lagi nang nakabuntot sa akin si Cali. I’m really annoyed at first but now, I kinda feel normal having her. Nasasanay na ako sa walang sawa niyang pagsasalita.

“Then can you stop your bibig na? Mag aral na tayo!”

Lumapit naman siya ng bahagya sa akin at naningkit ang mata, “Ang sabihin mo ni h’hunting mo na naman iyong crush mo!”

I smiled at her sarcastically, “You know naman pala. Bakit ang dami mo pang say jan?”

She chuckled and shook her head, syempre alam na niya iyong ni h’hunting ko sa mga college. Hindi naman niya ako tinigilan hangga’t hindi ko inaamin sa kaniya iyon. The wind blew making some of my papers dance with it.

“Bakit parang pati hangin dito iba ah?” bulong bulong ni Cali habang pinahawak ko sa kaniya iyong ibang papers.

I stood up and picked my reviewer that fell down. Nagulat pa ako ng may isang kamay na tumulong sa akin. My eyebrows furrowed as I looked at him.

“I can manage,” I said straightly towards the boy that I have no interest in knowing the name.

He chuckled and gave me the papers. Inirapan ko naman siya at kinuha iyon. You know the kind of men na looks palang hindi na mapagkakatiwalaan? He’s one of the gangs.

“I’m Jim by the way.” Pakilala niya ng umayos ako ng tayo.

“I didn’t ask,” I stated clearly and heard some laughed from behind him. Nang tingnan ko ay mukhang mga barkada niya na nagsisikuhan at naghaharutan.

Hindi ko alam na uso pa iyan sa college. I rolled my eyes and turned my back on him only to find Cali watching me like I’m in a drama series. Hindi ko na alam saan nagpunta iyong lalaki at umupo nalang ako.

“Medyo rude ka do’n.”

“I’m always rude.”

She chuckled, “May point ka.”

I looked at my papers and notebooks and tried to comprehend all the writings. Wala naman pumapasok sa isip ko. Cali is busy reading and solving some problems while I looked far beyond the people passing by.

“Oh my gosh,” I murmured when I saw a very familiar person. “Cali!”

“Ano?”

Hindi naman ako tumingin sa kaniya kahit nagtanong siya. My eyes remain on Giovanni who is walking towards us. I smiled widely while watching him. With his poker face, he’s walking like nothing interests him. Diretso ang mata sa harap at dire-diretso.

“Huwag mong sabihin sa’kin na may balak kang lapitan ‘yan?” tanong ni Cali.

My smile grew wider and looked at her. She hissed, eyes widening.

“I can’t know him if I don’t approach him.”

Napatakip nalang siya sa mukha at parang nahihiya sa gagawin ko. Hindi ko alam na may hiya siya sa katawan sa lagay niyang ‘yan. I let Giovanni passed by our table before I stood up and walk with him.

I don’t know why my heart starts to rumble at that moment!

“Hi!” I greeted cheerfully.

Bumagal ang hakbang niya at nilingon ako. I flashed my most beautiful smile, not thinking what reaction he would give.

To my dismay, wala siyang reaction. I took a deep breath and remain smiling.

“Are you friends with Jared?” I don’t know anything to ask.

Hindi naman siya sumagot. Akala ko, babae lang ang pakipot.

“You’re Giovanni, right?”

I wonder if he’s deaf. But he heard me earlier when I greeted him.

“Jared said he knows you and you’re his classmate with some subjects so you must be friends.” I continued not knowing where he would go and not knowing where we are right now.

I sighed, “Well, do you happen to know where he is-”

“No.”

My eyebrows raised when he answered.

“No?”

He stopped in his tracks and I abruptly did too.

“He’s not my friend. I don’t get why you always asked him to me.” He said looking at me with nothing but a straight face.

Why is he so handsome? I literally just want to stare at him the whole day! Wait, he sounded a bit annoyed actually. Ang bilis naman mag selos nito?

I smiled at him nevertheless. “Don’t worry, I’m not into Jared. It’s just an excuse to talk to you.” I said not stammering a bit.

I smiled more and wiggled my eyebrows. Never in my wildest dream, I thought I can like someone to make me do this.

He looked more annoyed, too much more dismayed. He didn’t said anything and just walk away. Gusto ko sana mag stomp ng feet pero baka isipin niya isip bata ako so no way.

Mabilis akong humakbang palapit ulit sa kaniya. “Are you mad? Or deaf? Or something? Hindi ka nagsasalita?”

“I don’t talk to strangers.”

“But you talk to me. What am I then?” I tried to peek at him, only to get a snob look. I shut up and took a deep breath. This is not going to be smooth.

I straightened up only to be bumped by a blind guy I guess. Hindi ba nila ako nakikita?! O rude lang talaga ang mga college boys?

“Sorry miss.”

I stopped and looked at him, he looked very sorry that I just can’t be rude. “It’s fine,” I said clearly, wanting to sound rude but not really sincere to do so. Tumalikod na ako at natagpuan na wala na si Giovanni doon.

Now that’s rude. I groan when I saw him nowhere! Where am I now? I looked around to find my way back. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung ilang oras ako naglalakad bago makarating kay Cali.

“Ang tagal mo! Ano? Saan kayo nag punta? Time na!”

Naabutan ko siyang nililigpit na ang gamit naming pareho. Napasimangot naman ako.

“Iniwan niya ‘ko! Hindi ko naman alam pabalik!”

She laughed and stop mid-way, watching me.

“Fine, laugh! Gusto ko rin matawa pero mas naiinis ako.”

“Bakit? Anong sabi sa’yo?”

“Ayun nga. Walang sinabi. He is quiet the whole time! And! He doesn’t talk to strangers daw!”

Cali continued her laugh. Inabot niya sa akin ang bag ko habang tumatawa.

“Hindi ka type Astrid,”

“No way!”

“Anong gagawin mo? Halata naman na masungit iyang crush mo, tingin palang.”

“Still. I’m pretty kaya! How dare he not show interest?” I mumbled to myself while softly thinking that he’s clearly not interested.

Late kami ni Cali dumating para sa quiz. She’s partially blaming me through her eyes. Nag make face lang naman ako sa kaniya at nagsimula nang magsagot. Our instructor is busy with his phone not minding my classmates who’s cheating with their seatmates.

Napailing nalang ako at tinapos na ang quiz. I waited outside for Cali after I passed my papers. Nang lumabas ay bumuntong hininga kaagad siya.

“Ang hirap! Bakit ang bilis mong natapos?”

“Just don’t answer if hindi mo naman talaga alam iyong sagot. Nag w’waste ka lang ng time.”

“Ouch ha!” she looked sharply at me, “Bad mood? Porket hindi ka type ng crush mo jan?”

“Don’t start!” I looked at her and frown, “Let’s go to mall! I need to relieve my stress!”

“Wala pa nga, stress ka agad jan!” sagot naman niya sa akin at sinukbit ang braso sa braso ko. She likes doing that.

I already called our driver earlier after I took my quiz, he’s probably there now.

“Yung number nine! Sumakit ulo ko! Anong sagot mo doon?” tanong ni Cali.

“I don’t know. Hindi ko naman memorize,” I said sarcastically at her earning a sharp gaze from her.

“What?”

“Sana hindi ka maging crush ng crush mo!”

“Don’t say that! Oh my gosh Cali!”

She laughed hard. Tingin ko feeling niya ay naloloka na ako. But words are powerful! Paano kung hindi talaga ako pansinin no’n?

“Ang OA Astrid!” tiningnan niya ako nang nasa parking na kami.

“I’m not! Iyang bibig mo ang OA!”

“Facts naman.”

I rolled ny eyes and open the backseat door nang huminto si Kuya Walter, our driver. Pumasok din naman kaagad si Cali.

“Goodafternoon Kuya Walter!” she greeted.

“Magandang araw din Cali,” he said and continued driver.

Kuya Walter has been our driver ever since. Even before my Mom died, siya na iyong driver namin so he’s probably on his early fifties. He’s always smiling at everyone with his polite face kaya siguro comfortable din ako sa kaniya.

“Saang Mall tayo Astrid?” he asked as he looked at the rearview mirror.

Sinagot ko naman kaagad iyon. I put my bag on my side and glance at Cali who’s busy on her phone. Sinilip ko iyon at naningkit naman ang mga mata niya sa akin.

“Ano?” she asked.

“Sino ‘yan?”

“Si nanay! Nagsabi lang ako na mamaya pa ako dahil kasama ko ang prinsesa.”

“Don’t say that! Siguro ni b’backstab mo ako kapag nasa bahay niyo?”

“Pa’no mo nasabi?”

“Because you always say that to your nanay. Either, hindi pa ako pinapayagang umuwi ni kamahalan or the princess is in a badmood I can’t go home right now, or the tiger needs a prey to calm herself! Baka later, maniwala ‘yan!”

Hindi ko alam kung anong mali sa sinabi ko dahil talagang ganoon ang ginagawa niya kapag nagpapaalam siya pero tinawanan niya lang ako. Nakita ko din si Kuya Walter na nakangisi at patingin tingin sa rearview mirror at natatawa sa amin.

“Cali!”

“Wait,” she chuckled, “Hindi ako nag e’english kay nanay ‘no!”

“Pero gano’n sinasabi mo, tagalog lang!”

Hindi ko alam bakit tumatawa pa rin siya.

“Huwag kang mag alala. Hindi kita ni b’backstab. Nag k’kwento ako kay nanay ng lahat ng katotohanan. You’re maarte and medyo masungit and totoo ‘yon, medyo hindi magandang katangian pero hindi ‘yon backstab! Truth iyon!”

Wala talaga minsan kwentang makipag-usap dito kay Cali.

“Ewan ko sa’yo Cali.”

She nudge my shoulder, “Punta ka sa’min minsan!”

I looked at her, raising my eyebrows.

“Why?”

“Papakilala kita kay Nanay!”

Hindi ako kaagad sumagot. I’m really not good with interacting with people. Lalo na kung elders, though I’m not rude to them. Never, that’s just downright disrespectful and I’m no way near that. I just… don’t know what to say when I saw one. Smile maybe. Paano sa lola ni Cali?

“Ano, Astrid?”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Alam ko naman na papayag ka din kaya sige, kunwari magisip ka muna.”

Napailing nalang ako sa kaniya. Cali is living with her Lola alone. Bata palang daw siya, namatay sa car accident iyong parents niya. Halos wala nga siya maalala sa memories niya noon dahil five siya noong namatay sila. She lived with her Lola since and her Tito which she called Tita.

But right now, sabi niya lang, nag t’trabaho iyon sa New York and iyon ang nagpapaaral sa kaniya. Maybe one of the reasons I allowed myself to befriend her is because I find solace in the thought that we struggle for the same reason in some part of our lives.

I also lost my mom when I was thirteen, and somehow lost my dad, too. Though he never really acted like what I imagine a dad would be, he became worst. Now I thank God that I have Kuya Jared.

“Ano bang gagawin natin dito?” tanong ni Cali nang makapasok kami sa mall.

“I’ll buy perfume.”

“Perfume? Para kanino?”

“Sa’kin. Bakit naman ako magbibigay sa iba? That’s expensive kaya.”

“Ay medyo tama ka d’yan.”

I chuckled and walked with her.

“Pero bakit ka bibili?” tanong na naman niya nang pumasok kami sa Enchantress.

It’s one of my favorite brands and ito lang din ang local brand na gusto ko. Hindi siya sikat pero gustong gusto ko talaga iyong nga perfume nila.

“I saw in their social media na may new product sila. I need to try it.”

“Mahilig ka sa perfume?”

“Yes?” napaisip din ako. I do buy a lot of perfumes but not as in a lot but yeah, “I guess. Mahilig ako mag try ng different scents.”

“Johnson’s baby cologne lang ako pwede na.”

I chuckled at that. Natawa din naman siya sa sarili habang pareho kaming nagtitingin sa loob ng botique.

I ended buying the new perfume they have. Matapos noon ay kumain muna kami ni Cali bago nag decide na umuwi.

I got up lazily the next day. Mas konti ang subject namin sa day na ‘to kaya maaga ang uwi namin mamaya. I’m excited that lectures wouldn’t be that long but I’m also lazy because lectures wouldn’t be that long that I just want to stay home.

But I can’t. Paniguradog sermon na naman ang aabutin ko kay daddy. It’s a relief he’s not into me these past few days. Busy yata siya sa law firm kaya medyo hindi ako napapansin. Thank heavens.

My dad is in his mid-fifties. He should be as strong as cow until now but he had a heart attack two years ago, making his body dealt with a lot of complications. He is still managing our law firm but he don’t represent anyone in the court anymore. And yes, he’s a lawyer, reason why he want me to become one, too.

Ayaw ko naman mag lawyer.

Hindi ko na masyadong natuyo ang buhok ko ‘cause I’m really going to be late na. Nang makapasok sa room ay nandoon na si Cali, obviously waiting for me. She texted me so many times, akala ko naman nandito na iyong instructor.

“Goodmorning Astrid!”

“Morning,”

“Ah walang good sa morning mo.”

“Right.”

Natawa nalang siya at umayos nang upo nang pumasok ang instructor. So early for an accounting subject. Minsan I wanted to just sleep on my desk nalang. Pero kapag naisip ko na ako din ang mag s’suffer to self-study, nakikinig nalang ako.

Hours past like how it normally does. Mabilis umalis si Cali nang matapos ang klase dahil may kailangan pa daw siyang asikasuhin. Hindi naman na ako nag tanong.

Hindi pa rin naman ako nag t’text kay Kuya Walter. I pulled out my phone from my bag and texted my bother instead. He replied immediately.

Kuya:
We’ll wait for ten minutes more. ‘Pag wala pa iyong prof, alis na kami. But I’m not going home yet.

Kasunod noon ay picture niyang naka pout at nagpapa cute. He’s not cute, though.

Aalisin ko na sana nang may mapansin. I looked at his picture again and zoomed in. I can’t be wrong. Si Giovanni iyon. Hindi siya malinaw dahil naglalakad palabas ng pinto. Bakit ang gwapo pa din?!

Nakangiti ako habang naglalakad palabas. Sabi ni Kuya if fifteen minutes late ang prof nila, considered as hindi na papasok and okay lang na umalis na sila. Ten minutes pa pero umalis na iyong si Giovanni? Medyo pasaway din.

While I was busy contemplating whether I’ll go to my brother building or just go straight home I reach the main building. Nasa harap lang din naman iyong ng buulding namin, though nasa kanang bahagi kami ng campus.

Dito ako lagi nag papasundo kay Kuya Walter para sa rotunda nalang ang daan at hindi na siya iikot pa ng malayo kung saktong sa buulding namin niya ako susunduin.

Napatitig ako doon sa kalawakan  at medyo naningkit ang mata. Nasa classroom palang to kanina ah?

“Hey!” I greeted when I saw Giovanni entering the campus premise again.

Saan naman kaya pupunta ‘to? Hindi niya ako pinansin o tiningnan man lang. Sumunod naman ako sa kaniya sa kaliwang bahagi ng campus.

“Saan ka pupunta?”

Wala siyang sagot. Napanguso ako pero naglakad pa din ako kasabay niya.

“May class ka pa? Doon ka nag p’park sa main gate? Ang layo ng building niyo ah.”

I licked my lips, “Hindi ka naman deaf, bakit hindi mo ako pinapansin?”

He stopped, malapit iyon sa table namin ni Cali kahapon noong ni h’hunting ko siya. I almost smile. Pero pinanatili ko ang pout ko.

“What do you want?” his voice was straight and emotionless.

I bit my lip, trying everything to stop my smile.

“Nothing naman. I just want to talk.”

“I have no time to talk.”

“Why?” My eyebrows raised.

“I’m busy.”

“Nag lalakad ka lang naman.”

“I hate nosy people.”

I smiled.

“I’m not nosy.” That’s a fact. Siya nga lang kinakausap ko e. Dapat happy pa siya.

Napailing siya at naglakad na ulit.

“Where are you going nga?”

“Library.”

My mouth formed an o. I’ve been to their library. Malaki iyon. Though meron naman library bawat department mayroon pa din iyong main library ng college.

“Saang library?”

“Main.”

My smile grew as he continued to answer my questions.

“Why? Wala ka nang class?”

I heard him sighed. Hindi ko alam kung bakit natutuwa pa din ako doon.

“Just answer me. Nagtatanong lang naman?”

“I’m going to study.” Nahimigan ko na parang nauubos na ang patience niya.

Studious. I pursed my lips. Napansin kong may tumitingin sa gawi namin. Halata naman dahil sa kaniya pero hindi ko maiwasang isipin na dahil din sa akin. Kasi bakit kasama niya ako? Lalo na kanina noong nagdaan kami sa building ata ng accountany iyon. Well the hell I care.

“I like studious people.”

“I didn’t ask.”

“I just want you to know.”

“You must like all people in the library.” He could’ve said that in sarcastic tone but his remain monotone.

Napataas ang kilay ko at bahagya siyang sinilip, “I like you nalang.”

Huminto siya at tumingin sa akin. Tumitig siya na parang he’s asking what do I mean by that, or he’s just really getting annoyed. I’m happy still.

“I only said I like studious people because I really wanted to say I like you,”

“I don’t like senior high schools.”

My face really went to a shock. Not because I was offended but, I don’t know! I find that funny.

“You mean, you don’t like me.”

He smirked and walked. I chuckled. Humor. I like that. Okay. My face was evident of smile, hindi matanggal.

“What’s your height? It’s so hard to look at you.”

“Then don’t.”

“I like hard things, though.”

Hindi siya kumibo doon. I held the strap of my bag and was about to say something when someone called me. Napapikit ako nang makita si Kuya.

Bahagya pa akong tumingin sa surroundings at napansin na nasa engineering building na kami.

“Akala ko maaga uwi mo?” Tanong nito sa akin at lumingon sa katabi ko, “Oh, Giovan! Hello! Bilis mo umalis ah! Sa’n ka niyan?”

Hindi naman siya pinansin nito at naglakad lang.

“Why are you two together?” He asked. Blocking Giovan on his way.

“Kuya! Nagkasabay kang kami maglakad. Are you done na ba? Let’s go home!”

Naningkit pa ang mata niya sa akin. Napansin ko naman ang tingin ni Giovan pero bago ko pa iyon maabutan ay nagiwas na siya at lumakad paalis. Snob talaga.

“May lakad pa ako.”

Yeah I know, Kuya. Wala lang ako masabi.

“Nag text ako diba. Why are you here?”

I gulped and blinked, “Uh… bored. Nab’bored ako. Ayoko pa umuwi. Saan ka ba pupunta?”

“Hindi kita isasama kung yan gusto mong marinig.” He pulled out his phone and typed something.

I raised my eyebrows and looked at him. Napansin ko naman ang mga kasama niya na naghihintay. Nagiwas ako ng tingin.

“I texted Kuya Walter to get you.” I sighed and didn’t say anything. “Susunod nalang ako. Mauna na kayo.” He said to his barkada.

Umakbay naman ito sa akin at nilayo na ako doon. Hindi ko alam kung bakit lagi nalang may istorbo kapag nakakausap ko si Giovanni. Am I unlucky or what?