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

09.13.18 - bakit :(

After that talk with Harvin, I suddenly felt guilty with the way I treated him. Dapat pala hindi ko na pinatulan ang ugali niya. I didn't know he was struggling... that much.

And so I decided to become careful around him again.

Nawala kay Harvin ang pag-i-isip ko nang pagpasok ng room ay nakita ko si Kiel sa unahan, kasama ang mga kaibigan.

I took a deep breath and shut my eyes before heading over my seat.

Ramdam kong sinundan niya 'ko ng tingin pero hindi ko siya binalingan. I acted like I didn't see him.

Dumiretso ako ng locker pagkalapag ng bag sa upuan.

"Hi."

Napahinga na naman ako nang malalim. Here we go.

"Avien, hi."

I continued opening my locker as Kiel stood beside me. He was leaning beside me, watching.

"Avien?"

"..."

"Avien?" Sinubukan niya pang hulihin ang tingin ko.

After closing the locker door, I lifted my gaze at him. He flashed a smile.

"May pasalubong ako sa 'yo." Itinaas niya ang hawak na paper bag, ngiting-ngiti.

"I told you not to get me one."

"Hehe. Hindi pwede yun." He handed the bag to me. I sighed as I received it. Ayoko namang maging rude para hindi tanggapin iyon.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"May sasabihin ako sa 'yo."

"Ano 'yun?"

"Let's... not talk anymore."

Kumunot ang noo niya.

"Let's stop being friends."

"Huh?"

Kitang kita ko ang confusion sa mukha niya. It was natural. He didn't know what was happening... and I couldn't tell him the reason.

Mas mabuting wala na lang sabihin kaysa sabihin ang totoo o kaya'y mag-imbento.

Nilagpasan ko siya at naglakad pabalik ng room. He followed me. "Ano ba 'to—prank?"

Buti na lang pagbalik namin ng room ay saktong pagdating ng first subject teacher kaya bumalik na kami sa kaniya-kaniyang upuan.

Kiel approached me again during break time but before he could even utter something, I already walked out of the room.

Akala ata ni Kiel ay isang araw lang valid iyong sinabi kong huwag akong kausapin dahil matapos ko siyang lagpasan lang ay hindi niya na 'ko kinulit nung araw na iyon pero kinabukasan ay 'tsaka siya lumapit ulit.

He would approach me normally as if I didn't tell him not to and it was frustrating.

Tuwing mapapansin kong palapit na siya sa 'kin ay uunahan ko nang umiwas at umalis. Whenever he'd call my name, I would act like I couldn't hear him. Mapapakamot lang naman siya ng ulo—gulong-gulo.

"Avien, tawag ka raw ni Ma'am Avila," aniya paglapit sa upuan ko nang mag-Friday. Apat na araw ko na siyang hindi pinapansin. Tumayo ako at maglalakad na sana paalis upang pumunta ng faculty pero humarang siya sa daanan ko. "Joke."

I frowned. Tinalikuran ko na lang siya at uupo na dapat ulit sa upuan nang unahan naman ni Kiel sa pag-upo roon.

I tsked and just walked out of the room. Ang kulit!