Author's Note:
I'm very sorry for the very very very late update, my dear readers. I'm so occupied with school and personal stuff that I can't update regularly. I'll do my very best to write again just like before. Thank you for your consideration! Love lots. <33
Chapter 2
Nang humupa na ang ulan, dali-dali kong tinanggal ang coat na hiniram at ibinigay ulit sa kaniya. Natigilan siya ng inabot ko iyon sa kaniya. I'm not used to borrowing things from a stranger, so I said my thanks and left.
Hinihingal ako ng makarating sa building namin. Dali-dali akong nagtungo sa classrrom namin upang kunin ang bag ko para makapagbihis. Nadatnan pa'ko ni Giselle sa hallway nagmamadaling umalis, sabi ko na lang sa kaniya na nabasa ako ng ulan.
Nang makarating ako sa women's restroom, agad akong naghanap ng cubicle na walang tao. There were only three cubicle and two were out of order, so I open the one that's working. The moment I opened it, there were two love birds making out.
I immediately panicked when they both noticed me. I was about to scream but I noticed a familiar face. It's Alexander Custodio, my childhood best friend.
"Hi Kal," he greeted me casually while the girl he's devouring earlier gave me a little wave.
Sinara ko ang pinto ng cubicle at dali-daling umalis doon. I heard Alexander calling out my name, pero hindi ko siya pinansin at nagpatuloy lang sa paglakad. I'm almost half way of the hallway on that building nang may kumalabit sa'kin, it was Alexander. I turn around to face him. Binitawan niya ang braso ko at hinihingal na yumuko.
"Gosh! Kalani, ang bilis mong maglakad," aniya.
"Pasensiya ka na, nagmamadali kasi ako. Baka mahuli ako sa klase," dahilan ko na lang. Pero sa totoo, hiyang-hiya ako dahil inabala ko sila ng kalandian niya do'n sa restroom.
Aalis na sana ako pero nagsalita si Alexander. "Sorry for what you have witnessed in the women's restroom room, Kal. You know I'm the biggest jerk, and I like playing around."
He's right, he's the biggest red flag and a jerk. And as his best friend, I had never tolerated any of his acts but it's his personal preference in life and I can't stop him even if I already scold him many times in high school. I'm also saving his ass everytime he's involved in an issue.
"I know, Alex. I mean, I've known you for years. Old habits die hard."
He gave me a small chuckle. "Well, you tried stopping me. I'm just very hard headed."
"I'm glad you know, kung gaano ka kasakit sa ulo. Naka-ilang issue ka na, ewan ko sayo."
I stormed off and left him there. I have no choice but to head over to the Chem. Engr. Building. 'Yon na lang ang pinakamalapit na building na may restroom. As I was heading to the women's restroom, nabangga ako ng lalaking nagpahiram ng coat sa'kin kanina.
I don't understand why we keep on bumping into each other. Umiwas na lamang ako sa kaniya at nagtungo sa kung saan ako papunta. Once I have changed into some new clothes, I feel more warmer than before. I'm in my khaki trousers paired with a black polo-shirt and my hair is still kinda wet.
Lumabas na ako ng ladies restroom at nabangga ko na naman 'yong lalaki kanina. I glared at him and he arched his brow at me.
"Stop bumping into me!" I said frustrated.
"You, stop bumping into me. You're all over the place," he rolled his eye balls annoyed and left me there.
Nakakainis! He has this intimidating and unapproachable aura but at the same time he's considerate and kind when he lent me his coat. Hindi ko alam kung ano ba talaga 'yong pagkatao niya.
I marched looking grumpy back to our classroom. I saw Fate looking at me suspiciously but she didn't question me anything. I quickly brush my hair and put on a little makeup, para papaano hindi ako magmukhang zombie at stress.
I just sit on my chair quietly when Fate suddenly poke my shoulder. Bumaling ako sa kaniya at nadatnan na nakaguhit ang pagod sa kaniyang mukha. Gusto ko siyang pagtawanan dahil parang binagsakan siya ng langit at lupa.
"Lily's Coffee tayo mamaya. I need all the caffeine in my system to stay awake later. Hindi ko pa tapos ang mga plates ko," aya niya.
"I'm sorry Fate, uuwi ako ng maaga para mag-prepare dahil inaya ako ng mga pinsan na mag-night out. Sabay ka na lang mamaya kina Maverick, pupunta daw sila Lily's dahil may exams sila bukas." Rason ko.
Napag-usapan na magna-night out daw kami ng mga pinsan ko mamaya, last week pa na plinano nina Kenneth ito. Dismissal came, I quickly pack my things, say my goodbyes to my friends, and rushed home to get ready for our cousin night out.
While I was slowly walking home, I can sense someone is following me.
"Kalani!"
I turn around and saw Alex half running to catch up with me. Nagpatuloy lang ako sa paglalakad at hinayaan siyang humabol sa'kin. Nang magkatapat na kami, hinawakan niya ako sa balikat para humarap sa kaniya.
"Are you mad at me, Kal?" He asked.
I didn't reply, I just shook my head in disapproval.
"Are you okay?" He asked again, this time with a worried face.
I gave him a small smile to assure him. "I'm okay. I'm just thinking."
"Are you sure?"
I rolled my eyes and he slightly chuckled. Inakbayan niya ako at ginulo ang aking buhok bago siya tumakbo palayo. I glare at him for messing up my hair and he just laughed like a little kid.
"Alexander Scott Custodio!" I scream hysterically and ran after him. He just laugh loudly while I'm furious about what he did to my hair.
When I finally catch up to him, I grab his polo making him stop. Hinihingal kaming dalawa sa gitna ng daan. He gave me a small smile then he took my hand on his polo shirt and place it on his chest, agad naman namula ang aking mukha. I can feel his heart beating fast.
"Feel that, I'm palpitating."
Sinapak ko ang ganiyang dibdib bago binawi ang aking kamay. "Ewan ko sayo! Napakalandi mo!"
He chuckled at my statement. "Bakit? Nalalandi na ba kita?"
Nakakairita na talaga ang lalaking 'to. I'm used to his playful acts, we grew up together after all. Though, growing up I never realized that I was actually falling for him, the realization hit me when we were in senior year in high school. When I caught him making out at the very corner of the campus, I immediately found myself tearing up and hurt. After that, I chose to move on from him and never get the chance to tell him about my feelings.
The urge to tell him about what I feel about him is very tempting, nandito na na naman siya sa harap ko, so why would I hesitate? What's really stopping me? Is it because he's a playboy?
I'll risk everything when it comes to him anyway, I even clean his mess up every time he would get in trouble, I saved his ass to his parents every time he would break a girl's heart. So why am I hesitating?
I walk passed him and just quietly leave him there. I should go home.
...~
