Hardest to Lose (Villaraza Series #4)

39 | Middle

39 | Middle

___________

Of course, his direct confession occupied my mind. Hindi ko pa rin tanggap nang buo ang katotohanang may nararamdaman ako para sa kanya. Pero gustong-gusto ko ang epekto noon sa akin. I couldn’t sleep well and I found myself imagining the situation repeatedly.

I was fucked.

“Nakuha niyo ‘yong sa number 5 sa Engineering Mechanics? Grabe, nahirapan ako ro’n. Ano bang answer niyo?”

It was Monday and I was sure he got classes. Nasaan kaya siya? Hindi ko pa siya nakikita magmula kanina.

“Girl, I saw the exact problem in one of my books. ‘Yong ni-recommend ko sa’yo na ‘di mo binili?”

He was the most annoying person before. Pero ngayon, parang iiyak ako kapag hindi ko siya nakikita.

What in the world was I dealing with? This wasn’t the kind of love I was used to!

Naalerto ako nang bigla ay nahagip ng mga mata ko ang isang pamilyar na junior student. He was a lanky guy with glasses on. Dire-diretso ang lakad niya habang panay ang galaw ng bibig. It didn’t take long enough to see who he was talking to.

Markus.

“Gaga ka! Dapat 10 ang nandiyan, hindi 11!”

Pasalubong sila sa amin. Busy pa rin sila sa pag-uusap at tila walang pakialam sa paligid.

For a moment, I prayed that he would look my way. As much as I hated it, I wanted to see his face.

I could swear he performed witchcraft on me.

“Iñara, sa tingin mo tama ‘tong formula na ginamit niya?”

Napalakas yata ang pagbunganga ng isa sa mga kasama ko kaya nakuha noon ang atensyon nila. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin kaya napatitig na lang ako kay Markus.

He smiled and winked at me, making my heart throb painfully.

Goddamit. What the hell did you do to me?

I thought he would stop and say ‘hi.’ But he just patted my head and walked past by us, continuing his talk with his friend.

“Mukhang close na close na kayo ng lalaking ‘yon, a,” Faye commented when the guys were finally meters away from us.

“H-hindi naman . . .”

Nagkagulo ang dalawa naming kasama at panay ang tanong sa akin tungkol kay Markus. Apparently, they were his admirers. Guwapo raw kasi at may pagka-bad boy. Magaling din daw at nakakainggit na palaging chill kahit mahirap ang program namin.

Unlike them, Faye fell silent after my response. She had been curious what had happened in the summit, particularly with Markus coming for me. But I didn’t give her any details because I thought it was a private affair. Hindi niya yata iyon nagustuhan kaya hindi niya ako masyadong kinikibo.

Bahala nga muna siya sa sarili niya.

Natapos ang buong umaga ko na panay ang paglinga-linga at pag-asang makikita ulit ang lalaking iyon. I did at lunchtime in our cafeteria. As usual, halos mapunit na naman ang bunganga niya katatawa at kangingisi.