When the Cold Fire Burns

Chapter 05

Chapter 05

Jimson

A small smile plastered on my face as I looked at Fierro walking away from me. I remember how her cheeks blushed while looking at the floor because she's too shy to look at me.

"Nababaliw ka na ba, Jimson?" my classmate joked.

"Huh?"

Tinuro niya ako. "Ba't ka nakangiti nang mag-isa? Ayos ka lang?"

I dropped my smile and went inside the laboratory. "Nothing."

Hindi ako nakatulog nang maayos. Still, I felt ten times energized now than ever.

I'm still amazed by Fierro's determination. She's passionate and brave—too much that make her scarier. In fact, I knew some people who like her. Fierro is pretty and feminine. Masyado lang talaga siyang matapang kaya walang sumusubok na lumigaw.

Since first year, I am really curious about her. The way she looks at me as if she's about to murder me in my sleep and the way and her intelligence. I really have a thing with intelligent people.

Hapon nang hinintay ko si Fierro sa labas ng university hospital. I was meant to ride with my brother but I bailed out when I thought of something.

Fierro and her friend were chatting in the hallway. Tumayo na ako nang maayos. Her friend noticed me first and her eyes widened. Kaagad niyang siniko ang kaibigan.

Winonah Fierro looked at my direction. When she caught my eyes, her eyebrows furrowed.

"Ano na naman?" she asked when they both stopped in front of me.

"Sungit," I mumbled.

She only rolled her eyes. "Bakit? Anong sadya mo sa 'kin?"

Napangisi ako. "It doesn't mean that I'm standing here while looking at you, ikaw na kaagad ang pakay ko."

Muntik ko nang hindi mapigilan ang tawa. She must have noticed that I used the same words she told me earlier.

Her friend cleared her voice. "Mauna na ako." She smiled at me then at the little hamster beside her.

I've been her since the first year but I just can't remember her name. Well, I don't remember some of my classmate's name.

Maglalakad na sana siya palayo ngunit hinawakan ni Fierro ang kanyang braso. "Huwag mo 'kong iwan," I heard her whisper.

"Iiwan kita."

"Huwag nga."

But her friend managed to get out from her touch. "Kitakits na lang sa boarding house, Winonah!"

Tumakbo na ang kaibigan niya palabas sa gate. When we were left alone, the hamster sighed and frowned at me. It was hard to hide my smile. It was hard to have a stone-cold expression in front of her. I mentally cursed.

"Bakit ba kasi?" reklamo niya.

Ipinasok ko ang mga kamay sa bulsa ng aking pantalon. "Come eat with me."

Her eyes widened before she frowned again. "Huh? Sure ka ba?"

"Yeah. Eat with me, Fierro."

"Ba't naman ako kakain kasama ka? Hindi naman tayo close, eh."

"If you really want to repay me, then eat with me now."

Suminghal siya. "Edi ibabalik ko na lang 'yun lahat sa 'yo."

Sobrang tigas talaga ng ulo. This woman really succeeds to mess with my patience. Hindi na ako nagsalita at nagsimulang maglakad palayo.

I was quite worried that she'll not follow. Thank God, I heard her footsteps behind me. I smiled a little. Reklamo lang siya nang reklamo, hindi inaasahang maririnig ko iyon. I bit my lower lip to stop myself from laughing. She must have recited all curses that exist.