"It's saturday yet you're still studying?" Pangungulit sa kaya ng binata habang sinubukan nitong humabol sa paglalakad niya.
She keep her head straight as she walk a bit fast. Sinubukan namang pantayan siya ng binata.
"Do you really walk this fast?" Tabong pa nito.
Hindi siya sumagot. Hanggang sa makalabas sila sa laboratory ng mga Benjamin, ni Spade Benjamin ay nakabuntot pa rin ang binata.
"Palagi ka bang narito kapag weekends?" He asked.
Nagkibit balikat lang siya at napangiti ng makita ang sundo niya. Tuloy-tuloy lang siya ng pigilan siya ni Hinx sa braso.
"Hey, why aren't you talking to me?" Marahang tanong nito.
Lumingon siya sa binata at tinaasan ito ng kilay.
"Are you bored, Mr. Benjamin?"
Kumunot ang noo nito sa pagtataka.
"What?"
Binawi niya ang braso at taas-noong tiningnan ito.
"Please, stop bothering me. Naubos mo na ba lahat ng babae sa Benj U at ako ang pinaglakadiskitahan mo?"
Kumunot ang noo ng binata. This time dahil na 'yun ay hindi niya nagustuhan ang narinig sa kanya.
She sighed.
"Look, Mr. Benjamin. Hindi ako tulad ng mga babaeng nilalandi mo. Study first muna ako and I don't want any guy, especially you, to flirt with me."
Hinx jaw clenched. He licked his bottom lips trying to contain his anger.
"Is that what you think of me, Claudia?"
Gone the Miss Scientist.
A part of her was upset on the way he asked his question. Parang pakiramdam niya ay napaka-judgemental niya! But it's better to be safe and sure. Kaysa magpabihag siya sa lalaking 'to at siya rin ang iiyak-iyak sa huli.
"Yeah. Men like you doesn't deserve any of my attention. I'm sorry for the words, Mr. Benjamin but I mean it." She said firmly then she turn her back at him.
Nang talikuran niya ito ay doon niya binuga ang pinipigilang hininga. Her heart ached for unknown reason. He's upset and bother even tho she doesn't have any reason to feel that way.
No, Claudia. You just save yourself from future complications.
"INHALE...exhale....inhale...inhale..inha----"
"Claudia, are you okay?" Nag-aalalang tanong ng pinsan niya sa kanya.
Sabay silang nagmeditate, it's Sunday, self day pero narito ang pinsan niya at nakibulabog.
"Ckim, I'm fine."
Ckim just looked at her weirdly.
"But you don't look fine."
She just shook her head and close her eyes again. Pinilit niyang mag-concentrate pero mukha ni Hinx ang pumasok sa isip niya sa muli niyang pagpikit.
"Argh, leave my mind alone!" She suddenly shouted in frustration.
Narinig niya ang pagsinghap ng katabi. Agad siyang napalingon dito at nag-init ang pisngi sa hiya. That's too embarrassing. Imagine, losing her composure and it was witnessed by someone, mabuti na lang at pinsan niya ito but knowing Ckim Ferrera.
"Oh, my G. So, someone's occupying your mind, huh? Who is it?" She asked and there's a hint of teasing on her voice.
Napailing na lang siya at pumikit ulit, pinilit niyang iwaksi sa isipan ang binata.
