Serenity

16th

Mystery

Kumurba ang kilay ko saka binaling sa kanya ang tingin.

"San galing ang mga iyan? May kasabay ka ba dapat?" nagtatakang tanong ko.

My eyes unconsciously scanned the empty place. Lumibot iyon na animo'y may hinahanap ngunit walang natagpuan.

Naningkit ang mga mata ko. I shot Aki a suspicious look.

"Yung pinopormahan mo?" napasinghap ako.

Last time I checked, it wasn't Rae. Well, that's what he said. Hanggang ngayon tuloy ay wala akong ideya kung sino ba talaga. I wonder what type of person this uptight human actually likes.

Ah, young love.. Halos mapapikit ako habang nakangiti. Puppy love.. high school crush... all this sort of things are what makes up one's youth. What a time to be alive!

"Ikaw ah," binigyan ko ng mahinang hampas ang pwet niya habang nakangisi.

His expression hardened.

'Di pa rin ako makapaniwala. Turns out Aki isn't totally the passive type after all, huh. Akalain mo yun? Sineminar na siguro nila Davion. Mga galawan!

"So where's the girl?" I batted my lashes in excitement.

Kumunot ang noo niya. "There's no other girl. These are for you,"

I made a face then transfered my weight on the other foot. "What a lame excuse, Aki. Ni wala nga sa plano ang pagpunta ko rito. I came here by chance. As if you'd know that," irap ko. "Try again, Achelous."

Hindi ko maintindihan kung ba't may mga ganitong hirit siya mula pa last year. I don't get him. Is he trying to annoy me or something? This ain't how you do it, little Leyva.

Seryoso pa rin talaga siya. "Madalas kang pumunta rito tuwing free time. I figured you'll come here during break so.."

Umikot ang mata ko. I can't believe he was even able to maintain a straight face. My god, what's with him? Marahil ay hindi siya sinipot ng kikitain. Now he's trying to cover up that fact. Napailing-iling ako at tinalikuran siya.

"I bet you're stood up," nilabas ko ang mga laman ng paper bag saka prenteng umupo sa bench. He's giving away the food anyway, might as well take advantage.

He didn't say anything.

I was already unwrapping my sandwich nang muling maligaw sa kanya ang tingin ko.

Tahimik ito at nasa pagkain na rin ang atensyon. For some reason, I suddenly felt guilty about the last thing I said.

What if he was really dumped? Damn, I could've made him feel worst!

Minabuti ko na lang maging maingat sa mga sumunod na oras. I tried talking to him but still careful. I was deadass being good to him the whole time.

"Sa lahat ng pwedeng maging kaklase, si Calcifer pa! I mean— it's already hard to accept that I'm not in the same class with Einj anymore." I ranted while keeping the conversation going. "Our schedules were not even aligned. Hindi sabay ang recess at uwian! Ayoko namang sumama kumain kina Maddie. Cal eats with his girlfriend. I'll probably be alone during breaktimes at this rate,"

Binaba ni Aki ang inumin niya. My gaze followed the movement of his hand. It's weird to see his arm this toned. He doesn't look like his age with such feature.