TEARDROPS OF TOMORROW

Chapter Three

Hinatid ko ang mga bata sa kani-kanilang classroom. Nicholai went to our classroom first. It's not like I want him here with me. Argh! Basta! Swerte ko na sa grasya kaninang umaga... liligawan ko talaga siya pag sumama pa siya sa akin sa paghatid sa mga bata. The school isn't that huge.

I went to our classroom and bumungad sa akin ang maiingay kong kaklase. Everyone was busy sharing the gossips. I heard Jenny's name. But, Jenny's not here.

Sana absent.

I went to my seat. Clark was already there. He looks at me and wave his hand but I just give him a cold glare. I still haven't forgotten what he said on the garden yesterday.

Ano kayang inisip ni Nicholai doon?

Speaking of him. He's not here rin. Saan kaya siya?

I sat besides Clark's. Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko at nakinig ng music gamit ang headset. And Clark as usual, mess my bag by looking for something. I just let him. I'm really used to him.

I saw Clark took my notebooks. Guess mangongopya na naman siya.

The first music was done. And the next music was "Brown Eyes" by Destiny's Child.

Brown eyes... I smiled. Nicholai eyes are brown.

Nagulat ako ng bigla akong sikohin ni Clark. Tiningnan ko siya ng masama. Ngumuso siya sa harap kaya tumingin ako. I saw Nicholai and Jenny being so close to each other.

I took my headset from my ear and stare at the two. Everyone was looking at them. Some of the girls are even giggling. "Yes, Nicholai! Payag na akong maging girl friend mo." my mouth hang.

So, he's really courting her?

Parang pinipiraso ang puso ko sa sakit. Wow! Never thought na masasaktan ako ng ganito.

Yumuko ako at sinuot ulit ang headset. I turn the volume to the highest.

I played "look at her now" para mawala sa kanila ang focus ko kahit papano. But it's not working.

I felt someone took the other headset from my ear.

"Sakit ba?" I look at Clark and was about to give him a glare when he suddenly hug me. My eyes widen in shock and I heard some gasps.

"It's okey..." he said.

"What's happening?" bumitaw ako sa yakap ni Clark at tumingin sa harap.
I accidentally saw Nicholai staring intently to us.

I should be happy right? Because he's here in front of us instead of smiling and celebrating with Jenny because she said yes! But why am I hurting so bad? For goodness' sake! This is just a puppy love!

It's lunch time but I'm not feeling hungry yet. Clark left to buy lunch daw. I sigh.

That guy... I don't know what's gotten into him. I know he knows that I like Nicholai and I'm actually thankful because he didn't told anyone.

I should thank him. I needed someone earlier.

Even if I wasn't hungry I decided to still eat. Pancit Canton ang ulam ko. I cook this kaninang umaga. I sigh.

Parang kanina lang ang saya saya ko pa. I started to eat my lunch. Mabuti nalang at ako lang mag isa sa classroom.

"Nic, doon muna ako sa section one..." kumabog ang dibdib ko. He's here?

I thought umuwi sila?

I didn't glance at them, instead I finish my lunch and drink my water. I'm going out!

I put my water on my table at binalik ang baonan ko sa bag. Pero, sa kasamaang palad. Natapon ang tubig ko ng masiko ko ito. And now I'm wet! Why am i so clumsy?

"Bwisit." I whispered.

"Here." nanlaki ang mata ko ng marinig ang boses niya. He's in front of me! And now, he's giving me his handkerchief. Inabot ko ito. "Thanks." I stood up, still not giving him a gaze. My uniform's wet, gladly, I have a shirt inside. Yung palda ko naman, basa rin.

I sigh and excused my self. Pumunta ako sa CR para rin huminga. I couldn't look at him. I don't want be close with him. Like, literally.

I used the hand dryer for my skirt. He's handkerchief is still here. I don't wanna use this but my legs are wet as well. Lalabhan ko nalang bago isauli sa kanya.

I finish drying my uniform so I went out. I went to my sit and it's no longer a mess. Nilingon ko si Nicholai. He's busy with his notebook.

Did he clean this?

Nakaramdam ako ng kasayahan. I can't believe that he helped me and clean the messed I've made.

I should thank him. Inipon ko ang lakas ko at tinungo siya. I stopped behind his back. I cleared my throat so that he'll heard me.

Nilingon niya ako. I automatically and genuinely give him a smile. "Thanks nga pala. And uhm... lalabhan ko muna ang panyo mo bago ko isauli." he just stared at me. Kaya nakaramdam ako ng pagkailang.

I was about to turn my back when he suddenly speak. "Are you and Clark, together?" he asked.

Agad ko siyang nilingon at inilingan. "Nope. Clark is just a joker." I said and was about to walk when he... "Jenny and I aren't together." nanlaki ang mata ko.

What?

They're not together?! How come?! 'Di ba sinagot siya kanina ni Jenny?

"Just wanna let you know. Baka kasi may magtanong sa'yo na taga atin." I didn't look back but I nod. 'Di ko mapigilang mapangiti sa sinabi niya.

They're not together?

I giggled mentally. I'm so freaking happy!

I couldn't help but to glance at Nicholai's back. He's really dreamy. I'm so crazy!

It's 2:00pm. English time. We went to our English teacher's classroom. "Good afternoon class." we greeted ma'am Doromal back.

"We have a meeting so I'll just leave you an activity. Open your book on page two hundred and fifty three to two hundred and fifty six." hinanap ko ang libro ko sa bag. But sh!t na malupit! It's not here!

What am I going to do?

"Nicholai, sit behind the back at doon mo sagutan ang activity. Isulat mo sa papel ang mga nag iingay for minus points and everyone who's roaming around." Nicholai nod his head before standing up. He roam his head to find a seat. Umiwas na ako ng tingin dahil sa pagkakataranta.

Sinong hihiraman ko? Eh wala naman akong kaibigan dito?

I played with my ballpen because of nervousness. Nasa huli ako, wala rin si Clark. Mabuti sana kung nandito 'yong gunggong na 'yon eh.

"Here." napaangat ako ng tingin. It's Nicholai and... he's handing me his book.

Parang maiiyak ako. I thought... hindi ako makakapag answer. I thought walang may pake. I thought hindi niya na ako tutulungan ulit.

Pero mali ako. Sobrang mali ko.

He's making me fall for him even harder.

________

A/N: The book part is true. It happened to me when I was in grade six.