Becoming The Man (COMPLETED)

Chapter 32

Chapter 32

My mind was clouded with thoughts. Tumakbo lang ako nang tumakbo until I was away from all the people. I found a bench and sat down there.

"Kailangan mo ng panyo?"

"No, thanks..."

Naka-yuko lang ako while covering my face with my hands. I didn't mind anymore if people see me crying.

"Tanggapin mo na. Sige ka, masisira 'yang makeup mo," sabi niya ulit.

"Okay lang talaga," I replied. Ayoko lang mag-borrow ng personal stuff from other people. Malay ko ba kung dirty pala 'yun?!

"Okay, then... Makakausap, kailangan mo?"

My forehead creased. Then I raised my head nang dahan-dahan to see who I had been talking to. My eyes widened when I saw who it was.

"Setiel?"

"Long time no see," he said sabay upo sa tabi ko.

My lips were parted as I tried to mutter a word. "A-Anong ginagawa mo dito? Do you study here too?!"

Setiel chuckled and shook his head. "No, I just visited."

I nodded and quickly pulled my handkerchief from my pocket. I make punas agad the tears away from my face, only to be replaced by another batch of teardrops.

Ugh, kairita! Nakaka-embarrass naman!

"Bakit ka ba umiiyak?" Setiel asked. I only looked at him. "I mean, if you don't mind me asking?"

I sighed and looked down at my hands. "Well, I just saw my ex."

"Ex?" he asked, as if he couldn't believe it. "You... you had a boyfriend?"

Kitang-kita 'yung gulat sa face niya. I just smiled. I didn't know kung friends pa rin kami, but he's a low maintenance friend for sure. Ilang months ago na 'yung last convo namin but he's still here.

"Ugh, this is so embarrassing," I said sabay punas ulit ng luha. I stood up and dusted off my skirt. "I should probably just go home—"

"Wait, Debbie," Setiel said. "May gagawin ka ba this afternoon?"

"I don't know... iiyak sa room ko?"

Setiel scratched his nape. "Uhm... do you, like, want to get some coffee? You know... catch up... If that's okay with you. I mean, pwede kang tumanggi. No pressure, ha?"

"Sure," I replied right away.

There was a coffee shop across the campus kaya dun nalang kami pumunta ni Setiel. Ingrid messaged me na she went home already kaya kaming dalawa lang 'yung magkasama.

"Here's your coffee," Setiel said, handing me my cup.

"Thank you," I said. I took a sip and noticed that he was just staring at me. I put my cup down and chuckled. "Why?"

He shook his head. "Wala lang. Sorry."

"So..." I trailed. Medyo awkward lang talaga. Like, where do we pick up? The day I stopped replying to him kasi pinag-bawalan ako ni Bailey? "Where is the former SSG President studying for college?"

"Well... ya boy's an Atenean now!" he said.

I smiled. "Nice, nice... So bakit ka naman napadpad sa St. Therese?"

"Streets are saying kasi na nandito daw 'yung Binibining Grand International, so I went to see for myself. And heavens, she's here for real!" Setiel said, his arms open wide na parang tinutukoy ako.