Drawn to His Flame

Kabanata 20

Baby

I flipped the pages of the white folder that Almira gave me before exhaling softly. This is not a piece of cake but I can manage. I just need to wholeheartedly understand the contents of the chapter assigned to me so that I could master it without having to memorize everything.

“I’m giving your parts as early as possible so that we’ll have a long time to prepare. Kaya natin ‘to guys!” Almira can be compared to a sunny day because she’s beaming rays of hope and happiness at us right now. Masaya naman akong makita siyang bumalik na sa dati at isa lang ang naiisip kong rason dahil doon.

I think she and Treyton are in good terms again. But I still hadn’t learned the reason why they fought, if they did, in the first place.

Seems like I really have to bury that thought now in the depths of my mind.

“If you still have questions, you are always free to ask me. I’d try my best to help,” pahabol ni Almira habang wala pa ring kupas sa pagngiti.

“Leader, paano pala mas maiinterpret ‘yong sa chapter thre—”

Napatingin ako sa kagrupo namin dahil bigla siyang huminto sa pagsasalita at nakita ko siyang tulalang nakatingin sa kung ano man ang nasa likuran ni Almira.

Slowly, Treyton’s figure appeared into view. His black biker jacket was unzipped which exposed the white tee he’s wearing. His blue jeans perfectly matched the boat shoes he had on. Parang huminto ang oras nang suklayin niya ang kanyang buhok gamit ang kanyang daliri pagkatapos niyang basain ang kanyang pang-ibabang labi.

“Am I interrupting something?” Treyton said, which finally made me step out of a trance.

“You’re too early. May meeting pa kami,” Almira told him but when I looked at her expression, I know that she’s trying hard to conceal her smile.

Mukhang nagbago na ang ihip ng hangin dahil kung kanina lang ay masaya akong makita siyang nakangiti, ngayon ay iba na ang nararamdaman ko. I felt somewhat irritated and I don’t freaking know why.

Mas lalo akong nainis nang makita kong napakamot si Treyton sa batok niya bago tiningnan nang masinsinan si Almira. “Sorry. Ayaw lang kitang pinaghihintay.”

I scoffed and all eyes turned toward me. “Don’t mind me, guys,” sabi ko sa kanila nang makita ang nag-aalala nilang mga tingin. I felt Treyton’s gaze lingering on me longer than the others so I rolled my eyes at him. The devil even had the audacity to wink.

“So back to the topic, what were you saying again, Jessie?” tanong ni Almira sa kagrupo naming nahinto kanina sa pagsasalita.

“Gets ko na pala, Leader! Don’t worry! Thanks ulit!”

“That’s good to hear. Can I take your leader now?” singit ni Treyton sa usapan ng dalawa na ikinataas ng kilay ko. The latter smirked again after eyeing me from the side.

Ano na naman ba ang pinaplano niya?

“Nagmamadali ka yata, master. Saan ba punta niyo ni Leader?” usisa ni Clay sa malisyosong tinig. I then saw Almira tugging at Treyton’s jacket like it was her attempt to stop him from saying anything but she failed. Terribly.

“We’re going on a date,” prangkang sagot ni Treyton kaya nagsimula na naman ang kantiyawan at tuksuan. Tumalikod na ako para hindi ko na makita ang nanunuksong titig ni Treyton pero kinilabutan ako nang maramdaman ko ang pagbuga ng mainit na hangin sa aking tenga.

“As friends,” he whispered to me meaningfully.

Ang boses ni Almira ulit ang nangibabaw sa paligid at laking pasasalamat ko na lang dahil mukhang dumistansiya na rin si Treyton mula sa akin. “Wala na ba talaga kayong tanong? Ikaw, Reg?”