Between Never and Maybe

Three.

"People are guests in our story, the same way we are guests in theirs. But we all meet each other for a reason because every person is a personal lesson waiting to be told.”― Lauren Klarfeld

"Why are you hiding, pretty lady?" He repeated as if I didn't hear him the first time. I can hear the murmurs of my classmates, along with the sharp stares of the girls.

So much for not wanting to be a hot issue. I heaved a sigh at sinimulan na lang ayusin ang gamit ko. I stood up and looked at him in the eye.

"This annoying bastard." I meant to say it aloud this time. He was being extraordinarily clingy when we're not even close! The nerve! I went outside fuming mad, nakakaasar. And what annoyed me more was he is still following from behind! Just what on earth is his deal?!

"Hey Natasha wait up! I thought we were having lunch!" He shouted, half-walking and half-running. Thankfully, namataan ko na si Haze na palabas na ng building nila.

"Uy Navi, san pun—" Di na niya natapos ang sasabihin niya dahil hinatak ko na siya palabas ng campus. I almost dragged her through the sea of people either eating their lunch outside, or the seniors going home.

What a day.

"Teh anong meron ba, kulang na lang pakain mo sakin yung sahig sa lakas ng pagkakahatak mo. Saka sino ba tinitignan mo sa labas? May pinagkakautangan ka ba?" Sita sa akin ni Haze. Nandito kami sa carinderia ni Aling Sally, a few blocks away from the University. I was supposed to just eat lunch inside the school cafeteria pero dahil sa isang kurimaw na saksakan ng kakulitan at pagkafeeling close, dito ako kumakain ngayon. Piste. I was really annoyed na di ko maiwasang tusukin nang tusukin yung plato.

"Uy Natasha Vivienne, anong ginawa sayo ng sayote? Malapit na magmukhang namurder yan." Natauhan ako at napatingin sa plato ko, at oo nga kanina ko pa pala nadudurog yung sayote. Bumuntong-hininga na lang ako at kumain na lang. Ramdam ko ang tingin ni Haze sakin pero wala ako sa mood sumagot sa mga tanong niya. Tinignan ko saglit ang phone ko at nalaman na kailangan ko na pala simulang magresearch para sa assignment ko sa PPGC. Minsan di ko rin maintindihan VHU, alam ko Business Administration kinuha kong course eh! Bat may politics nakngpating.

"Kaya ka ba nagkakaganyan dahil dun sa Van Howell?" Nasamid ako sa kinakain ko at humingi ng tubig, inabot naman ni Haze at nilagok ko yon. Huminga ako nang malalim at lumingon kay Haze na kanina pa pala nakatitig sa akin, indicating that she has no plan on letting me go unless I tell her.

"Oo." I shrugged and just continued to eat my meal. I could feel the shock in her system and I pushed the glass of water gently towards her.

"Ano bang meron sa inyo? Medj pasuspense ka naman atih gurl!" At nagsimula nang maghyperventilate ang bruhilda, like I just got myself a boyfriend or something. I quickly gave her a knock on the head dahil baka may makarinig! I never wanted attention, mas lalo na kung galing sa issue. Iba pa naman manggiyera mga fangirls ng kurimaw na yon, kulang na lang dilaan yung lupang tinatapakan! I couldn't help but clench my fist in utter annoyance as I remembered the first time I saw him.

-Flashback, freshman year-

"Hala Navi ang laki ng University na to! Awieeeeee!" Manghang-manghang sabi ni Haze habamg tinatahak namin ang corridor ng Van Howell University. I shook my head at her amazement and just went to observe the place.

It was a Monday, signalling our first day at the school. Haze was jumping up and down like a kid dahil first time niyang mag-iba ng university. Ma'am Yvette, or should I say tita Yvette (as per her request) was reluctant on letting her go, lalo na't nag-upgrade na ang Valiente High at nag-include na ng college courses. But Haze wanted to try a new environment, so she chose a program na wala sa list ng program offerings nila. Tita Yvette then proceeded to request me to accompany her, like I was some sort of butler. Just kidding, I wanted to go to that University too.