Fit the Puzzle (Azcona Cousins #3)

24

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Chapter 24

Nagising ako na natutulog na sa kwarto at nang bumangon ako para hanapin si Iverson ay naabutan ko na siyang nag-aaral. He was holding a cup of coffee while browsing his notes. Iverson smiled when he saw me walking towards his direction. Tumayo siya para suklayin ang buhok ko. My lips pursed as he tied my hair in a messy bun. Narinig ko pa ang mahina niyang pagtawa dahil nagmukhang pugad ang buhok ko.

I stiffened when he kissed my cheek.

"Morning..."

"Umuwi ka ba?"

"I slept at Kuya's place... but I made sure that you were safe before I left."

Tumango ako. Inagaw ko ang kape niya. Hindi naman siya umangal, nakita ko pa nga siyang ngumiti, e.

I firmly shut my eyes.

The coffee was too bitter for my liking!

"You didn't like it?" natatawang tanong sa'kin ni Iverson.

Pinukulan ko siya ng masamang tingin. "You didn't warn me."

"I wanted to see your reaction."

"Sama ng ugali."

Kinuha na niya sa'kin ang mug. He drank the coffee, 'di ko man lang nakitaan ng pangit na reaksyon habang lumalagok ng kape. He waited for me to get ready for my classes. Iverson has no morning classes unlike me. Pagkalabas ko nga kanina ng kwarto ay nagulat pa 'ko dahil inayos niya ang sala.

Sobrang linis ng center table... malinis rin ang sahig at amoy fabric conditioner. He also cooked for me. Aware naman siya na may nagde-deliver sa'kin ng pagkain dahil siya rin naman ang may idea no'n. We both ate the food that was delivered for me, but he still gave me options.

While he was busy with his phone, I took the chance to take a quick snap of the stack of pancakes that he made for me.

Ngayon naman, titig na titig siya sa university ID ko. I am already dressed up. 11:30 AM ang first class ko at gusto akong ihatid ni Iverson kahit sinabi kong 'wag na dahil iba pa ang dadaanan.

"May problema ba?"

His bland expression makes me wonder about his train of thoughts.

"Wala naman," sagot niya sabay tingin sa'kin. "I was just thinking..." he trailed off.

"Thinking of what?" tumingin na rin ako sa ID, at binabalik na ring agawin sa kanya dahil baka makalimutan ko.

"Can I request another copy of this? Is it possible?"

"Huh? Para saan naman? 'Di naman ako burara para humingi pa ng isang copy," ani ko.

He chuckled.

"Silly. The copy is for me, Zian. I'll put it together with my ID."

Uminit ang pisngi ko at hinampas siya.

"Bakit?"

His thick brow arched. "Anong bakit?"

"Hindi mo pa 'ko girlfriend?" patanong kong sabi.

"Can't I be proud of my... uh... crush?"

Grabe, iba talaga 'to 'pag bumabanat! I cupped my burning cheeks and looked away.

"Ewan ko sa'yo!"

He dropped me off at school as promised. Nagmamadali pa nga ako sa paglabas ngunit hindi pa rin naman ako agad nakatakas sa kanya dahil nalimutan kong kuhain ang lunch box ko. No choice, I opened the car door again... I thought Iverson was not up for monkey business.