"H-huh?"
My brain cursed at myself for stuttering and I could feel my cheeks warm with his words.
"What I mean is, dating can distract you in your studies." he defended his words.
I forced myself to accept his defense or else I'll think things that I should not even be considering. The air between us all of a sudden becomes awkward and heavy I have to fake a cough.
"Yeah. You're right." I said.
"But if you want to date him, go on. It's a nice stage to get to know each other." I stared at his face. He was serious. And somehow it was like a go-signal for my brain to turn the switch on.
I'll try dating.
"Okay." I simply said which shocked him.
"Okay? What okay? You'll date him?" he leaned forward and clasped his hand on top of the table. His brows are tugging each other.
"You suggested it. And isa pa, why not? He's attractive tho." pagdadahilan ko.
He's being all brother kaya I ignored him. He goes quiet nang magpatuloy ako sa pagrereview. Paminsan minsan ko siyang tinitignan na abala naman sa tingin sa labas. It was 6 pm when I decided that I'm done for today.
"Uuwi na ko." I informed him.
He glanced at his watch. "Dinner?" tanong niya. Umiling ako. "Iinitin ko na lang yung bigay ng mama mo. Sayang naman." tumango-tango siya.
For a brief moment, his mouth opened but closed it again. Sabay kaming lumabas at inihatid niya ako sa parking.
"Where's your car?" nanliit ang mata ko. He's holding nothing with him except maybe with his wallet.
"Ingay mo. Sakay na dali." mahinang itinulak pa ako papunta sa sasakyan pero sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.
"Isa." I crossed my arms. "Fine. I just booked a grab."
Umiling ako sa kanya."Don't do this again."
We parted ways at sinabihan ko pa siyang dumiretso uwi na rin. Not that I expect him to follow that. Pagod akong nakarating sa condo kaya nag-init na agad ako ng pagkain.
Maaga rin akong nagising kinabukasan. Seven am ang usapan namin ni Melly at Dior. Melly wanted to meet at the near coffee house pero I insisted na sa campus na magkita. I wore a black spaghetti top, mom jeans paired with a black converse.
I parked the car near the south wing dahil mas malapit iyon sa building namin. I texted the girls that I'll wait on the garden para mahangin. At kaunti lang ang tao ngayon don.
Dior and Melly waved at me at the entrance of the garden. Inilipag ko na ang bag sa tabi ko.
"Naiiyak ako! Hindi ako pwede bumagsak!" reklamo ni Melly.
"Hindi ka babagsak. Nagreview ka naman diba?" I asked her.
I don't really understand Melly. She is actually smart. Siguro natatabunan lang dahil andami talagang matalino sa amin. Kahit naman ako. Noong unang exam namin sa major ay halos maiyak ako. Mas lalo pang naiyak nang makita ang score ko kumpara sa iba.
Later on, I realized na ang pinaka kalaban ko lang naman ay ang sarili ko. We're all here for our dreams. Melly grunted and adjusted her hair to her right shoulder.
"Naiinis na ko kay Teresa ha! Hindi tumutulong!" reklamo niya ulit.
"Did you talked to her na ba?" Dior asked.
