Past The Storm Clouds

Chapter 05

"Sa ten po, Kuya," sabi ng kung sino man ang nasa likod ko. I turned around when someone gently patted my back.

"Jorge!" nakangiti kong sinabi. His cheeks flushed a bit while the other guys behind him gave him teasing smiles.

"Busy ka ba?" he coolly asked.

"I'm not sure," sagot ko at saglit na luminga linga para hanapin si Dior.

He chuckled lightly. "You're not sure?"

"Baka mamaya pa. Why?" I asked even when I had a clue.

"Let's go out?"

Natawa ako sa sinabi niya. "I told you, I can't."

Sumimangot si Jorge. "You can't or you don't want to?"

I wiggled my brows playfully. "Hmm, both."

"Grabe, Farizah. Two times na 'yan, ah?" He pouted but then smiled at me after. "Next time then!"

Napailing ako. "Jorge, sabing 'wag na."

"Try ulit next time." He smiled at me and waved goodbye.

I raised my eyebrows and shrugged, finally realizing that refusing several times won't be effective and I can care less now. He has been trying to make me say yes to a date with him even though I already refused on his first try. The reasons why I did say no were very simple. Aside from the fact that we barely know each other, I'm not interested in being in a serious relationship with him or anyone. He wants something I can't promise.

Alam ko na mawawala rin ang kung ano man ang nararamdaman niya para sa akin, eventually, so why even bother in the first place? I can also feel he's after a game.

"Let me see your project nga," saad ni Camilla kay Hanne.

"Bakit ang e-effort ninyo?" pagrereklamo ni Ember at tinignan din ang project na nagawa ni Hanne. "I'm not creative, 'di pa ma-effort."

I let out a laugh and batted my eyelashes. "I think maganda naman ang gawa ko since maganda rin ako," pabiro kong sinabi pero of course, it's true.

Hinila ako ni Tasia palayo sa kanila. "'Yung college student na laging pumupunta sa Agno, he noticed me, Fara! Nag-myday kasi ako kahapon, for him lang!"

"Mission success, ah," I smirked. "He's notified if you set it to custom. He probably saw it."

"R-really?" kabado niyang sinabi. "Thankfully, sa Insta 'yun! Siya lang nasa CF ko."

I grinned and whispered at her dramatically. "May bago akong na po-pogian. IT student yata siya. College rin pero I think he likes me, too. Na fe-feel ko talaga," ani ko at umikot para itabi sa kanya ang upuan ko.

"May crush ka?" sambit niya sa palarong tono.

"Hmm, wala na."

Inaalala ko ang mga electricity bills ko. I swallow my pride each time I ask my parents for money. Ayaw kong gawin pero kailangan. They receive a notice about my bills, too. In fact, they are the first ones to know about it. Nang magkita kami ni Dad noong nakaraang walang pasok, nasabi niya iyon sa akin. Ikwinento niya rin ang tungkol kay Daena.

Because she's a doctor wannabe in the future, there will be a big amount of cash to pay and invest in her education. So Dad reminded me to track and watch my expenses. Our talk made me realize how Daena seems so sure of her career while I have no idea. Kaya siguro hindi ako mapagkatiwalaan nila Mom.