Chasing Our Freedom

Chapter 2

We arrived at the canteen and as soon as you enter you can hear the chatters of students talking about their subject and ranting about how hard it was.

"Can you find a table for us, Au? While I order our foods." He said, still holding my arm didn't want to let go because he thinks that I might run out of this place once he loosens his grip.

I rolled my eyes and asked, " Could you please remove your hand around my arm, Mr. Maximus Leon Bailey?" I uttered his full name slowly to knock his senses

Tumingin sya sa'kin papunta sa kanyang kamay na kanina pa naka hawak sa braso ko. Para akong criminal na may kasalanan and people looking at us.

I heard students whispering about us. Sino ba naman kasi ang hindi makaka pansin samin kung ang kasama ko rito looks like a greek god.

His thick brows match his ocean eyes that once you stare at him it will leave your knees weak, and his pointed nose with thin and pinkish lips that well suited to his face. His features look foreign as he explained that he inherited them from his dad which has a british lineage.

He rushingly  removed his hand to my arms and looked apologetic as he saw the redness  around my arm because of his grip "sorry...does it hurt?" He uttered habang pina pakiramdamam ang magiging reaction ko.

Binigyan ko lamang s'ya ng blangkong ekspresyon at pumunta nasa nahanap na upuan, ignoring his question.

Habang nag iintay sa kan'ya binuklat ko ang dala dalang libro to resume what I was reading before kami pumunta dito para kumain.

Bigla nalang may umagaw ng libro na hawak ko and closes the book didn't mind if its pages were straighten as long he nudged it from my hands.

"What's your problem, Max?!" I asked while glaring at him.

" Focus on your food, Au. It is bad t--"

"It is bad to wait  the food" duktong ko sa dapat sa sabihin nya.

"I know that! you don't have to remind me every time we eat" sabi ko habang dahan dahan kinukuha ang kubyertos para maka simula na kumain at baka bugahan pa'ko ng apoy nitong lalaki nasa harap ko.

As we finished eating, out of the blue he abruptly asked about the university and course I will pursue which loses my mood.

It was filled with a sudden silence at our table.

He noticed the changes in the mood at our table as he dropped the question, regretting what he said a minute ago.

He heaved a sigh as he was supposed to change the topic when I respond to his question.

"I don't have yet... university in my mind and course to be honest with you, Max," I said, looking at him and trying to express my thoughts.

"My parents wanted me to be an educator and my relatives pressuring me to be practical in choosing a course for the future... I feel lost and I don't know which path to choose" I said while there is a hint of sadness in my voice.

"Choose what your heart truly desires" pointing to the center of my chest where it was located.

Napansin ko nalang ang sarili ko nakatulala sa klase at tila'y binabagabag ng salitang binitawan ni Max  kanina.

"Choose what your heart truly
desires." It was repeatedly playing to my mind like a song.

I suddenly heard a voice whispering to my left ear. "Aurora, you're spacing out!" I jolted as his voice tickles me.

I was taken back and looked at him. Tinignan ko lang sya ng bigla nalang nya kinurot ang pisnge ko

"Ouch! You don't have to pinch my face!" I hissed while touching my left cheek.

Tinignan nya lang ako, wearing his grin and looking proud of what he has done to me!

"Kanina pa kita tinatawag mukha kang nawala sa sarili pftt.. " he said, avoiding to burst his laughter as he explained himself.

I glared at him and said " Napaka saya mo naman! Kasiyahan mo ba'ko?" I countered

He paused and his ears becomes red. Tutuksuhin ko sana sya ng bigla nalang narinig ang boses ng professor namin.

"Mr. Bailey and Ms. Harris!!" He shouted

We slowly looked at him and nervously face him.

"Kung mag dadaldalan lang kayo sa likod, leave this room!" He added while his eyes darted to us

" Sorry, Sir! Nag tatanong lang po sya about sa project namin" I reasoned out

" Project saan?" He asked

" Sa Homeroom class po, Sir" Maximus replied.

" Homeroom time nyo ba ngayon, why you need to discussed it in my class?!" Galit na tanong n'ya sa'min.

" Sorry po, Sir!" We answered him in chorus.

"Ok, seat down!"

Tumingin ako ng masama kay Max, while him awkwardly smile at me.

" Siraulo ka! Ang ingay mo kasi! Wag mo muna ako kausapin" I said habang naka tingin ng  masama sa kanya.

" Why me?? Ikaw yung maingay sa'tin--"

"Mr. Bailey! Do you what to go outside and leave this class?!" Our professor cutted him, darting his eyes toward Max.

"No, Sir.." Max responded.

I just smirked and thinking at the back of my mind na buti nga sakan'ya. Tumingin lang sya sa direksyon ko habang ang kilay ay mag kasalubong.

I winked at him and silently chuckled because of his reaction.