RIVER FLOWS

CHAPTER 3

My smile suddenly faded away and shyness flowed over me when he finally opened his eyes to meet mine. I was somewhat close to him so basically—

That was embarrassing...

I left out a fake cough to shake off the awkwardness.

"Uhm, h-hi! Hehe." Umayos kaagad ako ng tayo at dumistansya tsaka mabilisang niligpit ang mga materials.

I hope he doesn't find me awkward. Nakangiti pa naman ako! Baka ano—isipin niyang tinititigan ko siya while he's asleep. That doesn't sound good.

I don't know kung bakit tinago ko ang canvas sa likuran ko at ngayon pa talaga nakaramdam ng hiya. All i wanna do is run off, but that would be much worse.

"Uhmm, umalis si manang kase pumunta siya ng hospital. Pupuntahan niya raw yung friend niya na si Marites, but it was not Marites na na hospital! It was her husband, i don't know what happened to his husband pero sabi ni manang babalik din daw siya kaa—"

"I didn't ask," he said, his eyes directed to mine.

"H-huh?" I aksed stupidly while staring at his serious face. "Ah i'm sorry,"

Hindi ko nakikita ang sarili ko ngayon but i bet my face is turning red now.

I watch him shyly as he brushed his hair up using his fingers. Sa haba ng buhok niya ay natatabunan na nito ang mata niya.

Now that he's finally awake i don't know what to do. Should i ask him if he's feeling better? Pero mukhang hindi pa siya better dahil marahan lamang ang kilos niya, maluha-luha pa rin ang mga mata niya kaya malamang ay hindi parin bumababa ang lagnat niya.

Silence ruled the entire place until he spoke up.

"I've never seen you here before," He said, his face doesn't exhibit any emotion and his voice is so deep. I'm not really sure kung galit siya o ano.

"Uhm yeah, I never got in here until this time," I answered, taking my eyes away from him and back to my stuffs on the floor. But still not taking away my awkward friendly smile. "W-what about you?"

I got no answer from him until i'm done with cleaning. "I'll just go bac—" mag papaalam sana ako na babalik ako ng kwarto to fix my things pero bigla siyang nag salita.

"I've been here many times," Seryoso niyang sabi.

I feel like being scolded by my teacher looking at him right now, kahit never ko pa naman na experience na mapagalitan ng teacher. Hindi ako sanay na pinapagalitan, pero hindi naman niya ako pinapagalitan. Pero why does his voice make me feel as if!

As i look outside, the place is starting to get dark. Tiningnan ko ang orasan and it says na malapit nang mag 6pm. Wala pa si manang!

Pumasok ako ng kwarto at agad na iniligpit ang mga gamit ko. I just realized that i was already peeking through the slightly opened door.

I saw him resting his back against the wall since walang backrest yung kawayan. He grabbed on his phone just to turn it off, so i wonder if we're on the same situation.

When i finally left my room, i suddenly felt like regretting it. Pumunta nalang ako ng kusina para mag timpla ng kape,   kumuha ako ng isa pang mug para sa kanya.

"Coffee?" I asked him in a friendly way.

"Thanks," he said then received the mug.

I look stupid 'cause i was putting up an awkward smile kanina pa! I feel like nangangawit na 'yung bibig ko.

"Uhm, i saw you beside the river. Would you mind telling me what happened?" I asked.

Nanigas ako nung tumitig lang siya sa akin nang walang sinasabi. "Ooh I-it's okay! You don'thave to,"