The Minxes Series Book One: Asking for the Moon

Chapter Sixteen

She gulped. Kinabahan siya. She suddenly don't know what to say so she tried avoiding his question.

"W-what are you talking about?"

"That." Turo nito sa mga labi niya. "It's bothering me, Sesha."

"W-what?"

"You're avoiding, you're stuttering and you're uncomfortable around me."

"Of course not!"

"Then why didn't you return the clothes yourself?"

"H-huh?"

Puno ng iritasyon ang ekspresyon nito. "Bakit ang yaya mo ang pinag-saoli mo ng damit na binili ko kung ganoon?" Puno ng pagtitimpi ang boses nito. At hindi niya iyon maintindihan! Why would he be angry at something trivial such as that?

"I was busy reviewing. Exams namin next week."

But he doesn't look convinced. "Is that so?"

"Yes—" She gasped outloud when he took a step towards her. Tumigil lang ito ng isang hakbang mula sa kanya. The sudden action almost robbed her off her breath. His manly scent is not helping either! Her mind was suddenly in jumbles! "A-Atticus..." Ang tanging naiusal na lamang niya. She became all too aware of his nearness!

His eyes scanned her confused face until they lingered on her mouth. That action just added to her confused mind! Why is he staring at her lips like that? Like... like he wanted to kiss her...?

She was quick to berrate herself.

Shut up, Sesha! Kiss you? Why would Atticus do that?! Don't be stupid, you imbecile!

His gaze lowered to her ipad that is pressed firmly against her chest. His eyes darkened. There was that strange emotion on his face again.

"L-let me go."

He took a deep breath and let her go.

Mabilis siyang umatras. Isang buntong hininga ang pinakawalan niya. "Whatever you're thinking is nonsense, Atticus. Stop acting strange."

Nag-igting ang panga nito. "I'm not the one acting strange here, Sesha. You are."

She sneered, "Ako? Bakit? Dahil ba finally, hindi na ako kagaya ng dating Sesha na habol ng habol sa iyo, ganoon ba? Well let me tell you this, Atticus. No matter how drastic it is, lahat ng tao nagbabago. Matuwa ka na lang dahil sa wakas, matutupad na din ang lagi mong hiling sa akin na huwag sa iyo umikot ang mundo ko."

She was taken aback at the pain that flashed through his eyes. Gulong gulong pinagmasdan niya ito. Why would he get hurt over something like this? Hindi ba dapat, matuwa pa ito? Finally she's getting off his back. Makakahinga na ito ng maluwag.

"Are you saying you don't like me anymore?" He asked.

She's not sure, but she thought she sensed a tinge of panic in his voice. Tila may kung anong bumikig sa lalamunan niya sa tanong nito. Pero nilunok niya ang kung anong emosyon na umatake sa kanya at saka ito tinitigan ng diretso sa mga mata.

"Hindi naman ganoon kadaling mawala iyon. But you know what? I don't like you that much now to want to be with you always. Konti na lang, Atticus. Pero huwag kang mag-alala, when I go study abroad, I'll make sure to remove even the tiniest feelings I have for you." She gave him a soft smile. "Excuse me, I still need to review." Iniwan niya itong walang imik sa kusina.

"What?!"

"It is a good opportunity I don't want to miss..."

Ginawaran siya ni Erlind at Kristella ng hindi makapaniwalang tingin.