Captures of Perfect Timing (The Art of Life #1: Life Version)

09.00.18 - Begin to End

I didn't delve deeper into that. I didn't want to put meanings on Kiel's actions and stain my image of him. Ayokong bahiran ng malisya ang pagkakaibigan namin.

I wanted what we had to remain wholesome and platonic... before ending it.

I decided to end our friendship. Mabuting ako na lang ang mag-adjust. Baka nga naman pangit na magkaibigan ang lalaki at babae.

Atsaka kung iisipin ng lahat na kami, hindi ba parang nagiging bakod naman ako sa mga nagkakagusto sa kaniya? Like Ailene. Ang resulta tuloy, nasasaktan siya kapag nakikita kami kahit hindi naman kami.

Decided na ako sa gagawin kaya sinimulan ko nang ignorahin sa chat si Kiel. 

I would feel guilty sometimes dahil wala siyang kaalam-alam pero para maiwasang maramdaman iyon ay hindi na lang ako masyadong nagbukas ng Messenger.

Dati naman ay hindi talaga ako pala-bukas no'n at palachat. Si Kiel lang ang nakakapagpareply sa 'kin dahil nakakaaliw siya kausap.

But now, active na kasi ulit iyong GC namin nila Erin na ginawa namin dati for volleyball and I wanted to read their conversation so I would open the Messenger more often now.

Hindi naman pwedeng pati ang GC na iyon ay iignore ko na rin dahil lang ayokong makita ang messages ni Kiel. Nilagay ko na lang ang conversation box namin sa spam.

"Fall in line, class, and go to the computer laboratory now. Walang magtatakbuhan!"

We were in line as we ascended over the third floor and went straight to the computer laboratory.

Dianne left a space for me so I sat beside her. We had a lesson for about 35 minutes before we were allowed to open the monitor.

Nakalimutan ko ang password at username ko sa website kaya nagpaalam muna akong babalik ng room para kuhanin ang notebook kung saan nakasulat ang account ko.

Sa third floor ay andoon din ang TLE room at Science laboratory. Madadaanan ang Science lab bago ang hagdan pababa. Nang malagpasan ko ay nakarinig ako ng pagkabasag galing doon kaya napahinto ako at napalingon.

The door was closed and I knew it was always locked—even the windows—unless gagamitin... So bakit mayroong maingay?

I walked backwards and peeped through the small glass window of the door. I didn't see anyone but I saw some shattered glasses on the floor.

My brows knitted as I held the doorknob. It wasn't locked so I slowly opened the door.

Napahawak ako sa dibdib sa gulat nang bumungad si Harvin sa may pader sa tabi ng pinto.

Pinandilatan ko siya ng mga mata. "Anong ginagawa mo rito?"

I scanned the room and glanced at the broken test tubes on the floor. Natapon pa ang kung anong mga nakalagay doon kaya basa rin ang sahig. Nalaglag iyon mula sa estante.

Nalipat ang tingin ko sa kamay ni Harvin nang mapansing mayroon siyang isinuksok sa jacket niya. "Ano 'yan?"

"Bakit ka nandito?"

"Narinig ko 'yung nabasag. Ikaw, bakit ka nandito? Hindi ka nagpuntang comlab?"

He averted his gaze and closed the door behind me. After a few seconds, we heard some voices and footsteps.

Harvin suddenly pulled me away from the door.

"Wha—"

He stopped in front of me while still holding my wrist. With his other hand, he put his pointing finger on his lips, signaling me to stay quiet... and so I did.