Hardest to Lose (Villaraza Series #4)

24 | Date

24 | Date

* * * * *

Tahimik naming binaybay ang daan patungong library. Nauuna ako ngunit naiiwan ang atensyon ko sa kanya na ilang hakbang lamang ang layo mula sa akin.

Panandalian kong ipinikit ang mga mata. I never knew I would wake up one day and felt awkward around him. Hindi ko alam kung kakayanin ko pang magtagal ‘to.

“Nasimulan ko na ‘yong presentation,” I told him while we deposited our stuff in the counter.

Tumango lamang siya at nginuya ang bubble gum na nasa bibig.

I wondered what was going in his mind.

Magkasabay kaming naupo malapit sa bintana. Mabilis kong inilabas ang laptop ko, takot na mas umingay ang katahimikan sa pagitan namin. He remained there, watching my every move like a hawk to its prey.

“I have incorporated some of your parts here,” panimula ko, ipinipilit ang sarili sa laptop.

“Hindi mo pa natapos?”

Umiling ako. “I was busy. But I plan to finish it tonight.” I met his gaze. “Are you sure what you sent to me is all that you’ll report about?”

He crossed his arms and leaned his back on the chair. “I don’t know. May iba kasing topic na masasama kung dadagdagan ko pa ‘yon. What do you think?”

“You should try other books. May mga mas na-explain nang mabuti ‘yong part mo.”

“Dalawa ‘yong ginamit kong libro diyan. But let’s see. Meron ba no’n dito?”

“Oo.”

He stood up. “Wait here.”

Nakapangalumbaba kong pinagmasdan siyang pagitnaan ng bookshelves at malunod sa mga libro.

I really wanted to know when did he fall. I was always hostile to him. He knew how I hated his guts.

How could love bloom from ill feelings? It was weird.

Binalingan ko ang laptop nang napansin kong mas tumatagal siya roon. I let out a yawn and checked the presentation I had made. I should show this to him when he returned.

Muli ay humikab ako. Fuck. Hindi nga ako uminom kagabi para maaga ako rito sa school. Pero napuyat naman ako kaiisip sa post na iyon. Siguro pagkatapos nito ay tatambay ako ulit sa clinic para matulog.

That was what in my mind until I fell asleep. I woke up minutes after, regrettably energized.

Shit.

“How are you feeling?”

Dahan-dahan kong inayos ang sarili sa pagkakaupo at kinusot-kusot ang mga mata. “Sorry. Was I asleep too long?”

Mula sa laptop ay seryosong sinalubong ni Markus ang tingin ko. “Hindi naman.”

I combed my hair with my fingers and lifted my cell phone to look at my reflection. Thank God, I didn’t look like a mess. I guessed I didn’t have to go to the clinic later. I felt new and positive after that nap.

“Have you got what you needed?” tanong kong muli habang inaayos ang buhok para sa ponytail.

Markus glanced at me first before finally fixing his gaze on me, looking a bit dazed. “Y-yeah.”

What was his problem? “Can I see it?”

Tumango siya at ibinigay sa akin ang laptop.

“T-in-ype ko na ‘yong mga nakuha ko diyan sa powerpoint.” Ipinadaan niya ang kamay sa ulo patalikod at idinikit iyon sa batok niya. “Nilagay ko na rin diyan ‘yong mga ‘di mo pa na-type.”