Flash fiction stories

FUTURE JOWA

The first time I laid my eyes on him, I knew already that he was the one. He has this ashen hair that made him stand out from the crowd. His thick dark lashes was also evident and his tiny mole under his left eye made him look more alluring and charming. I can't even take off my eyes on him that day. Everytime he moves, time freezes. I even lost my composure when he looked at my spot. I was really concentrating on my notes that moment because I still have an examination in my major class but things didn't worked well when he stopped at my table and asked for my name.

I tried searching for help or any backup but then I realized I was alone. He was intently looking at me as if we were that close already. He's so unbelievable! At first I was really conscious about his approach but then I realized that maybe I was just his cup of coffee or maybe he was just dropping a prank on me. Hindi na 'ko nagdalawang-isip pa. I gave him my name. It wasn't that bad at all. It was just a name after all.

"Eury."

"I'm Oz short for Odelle Zyler."

"Okay." I replied giving him a hint that he can go now because I still have an exam to attend. Pero hindi siya umalis. He did order a coffee and sat at my table like I was just his random friend. Nabigla ako sa ginawa niya pero hindi ko siya pinaalis. I don't want to be rude and besides I'm okay with it. Binalik ko nalang ang focus sa pagrereview ng iba ko pang notes while he's still with me at the table.

"You have an exam?" napaangat ang ulo ko at napatingin sa kanya. I smiled shyly and nodded as an answer.

"Am I disturbing you?"

"Hindi naman. Okay lang." I replied.

"Don't worry you'll pass."

"Thank you."

"Sa puso ko nga pasado ka na sa exam pa kaya?"

He whispered something pero di ko iyon masyadong narinig.

"Ha?"

"Wala. Goodluck Ms. Brainer!"

We actually never talked after that day. All I knew was that he's also my schoolmate and he's an Engineering student, a year ahead of me. I'm still on the second year but he's now on the third. Sobrang magkalayo ng mga departments namin that's why I really doubt if we will see each other again.

---

"Eury punta naman tayo sa ibang booth. Sawang-sawa na 'ko dito sa'tin. I want new faces." pagmamaktol ni Alyna, bestfriend ko. I'm really not feeling well today at tyempo pa talagang foundation day namin. Nakatambay lang ako sa gilid ng booth namin habang yung iba naman ay busy sa pag e-entertain ng mga estudyante.

"Sige na Eury."

"Oo na pero sandali lang ha?"

We started rooming around and checking the different booths of different departments. Medyo nangangalay na ang mga paa ko at medyo pagod narin ako kakaikot, samahan mo pa ng taas ng sinag ng araw ngayon pero nawala 'yun bigla nang makita ko siya.

"Oz?" I said to myself.

"Ha? Sino yun?" Alyna asked.

"Ha? Wala." I lied. Hindi niya na 'ko kinulit pa. She started shrieking when her crush suddenly appeared at dahil 'dun iniwan niya na akong mag-isa.

I was alone already and I'm trying to find my way back to our booth when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Napahinto ako at natulala.

"Eury?" I heard Oz voice behind. I tried to calm my nerves but it didn't worked.

"Ayos ka lang ba? Namumutla ka."

"Ha? Ano, ayos lang ako. Oo, ayos lang ako." Napalakas ang tibok nang puso ko nang lumapit siya sa'kin at kinapa ang noo ko.

"You're burning. Nilalagnat ka ba?"

"Ha? Hindi ah."

Hindi tumalab sa kanya ang pagsisinungaling ko kaya agad niya kong dinala sa school clinic. I really felt his concern because he managed to leave their booth just for me. I was accomoodated by the nurse when we arrived at the clinic. Binigyan niya agad ako ng gamot at hinayaan nang magpahinga muna sa loob. Oz and I were alone in the room. Binaling ko ang tingin sa kanya. He was just silently sitting at  the corner while looking at his phone.

"Thank you Oz." bulong ko na narinig niya naman agad.

"Okay lang. I got your back Ms. Brainer. By the way did you pass your exam?"

Napangiti ako sa naging tanong niya. He still remembered our first encounter.

"Yep. I told you, you didn't disturb me."

"Sa puso ko nga pumasa ka sa exam pa kaya?" He chuckled.

I was really burning hot kanina but my temperature changed when he said that.

"What do you mean?" Tumayo siya at lumapit sa'kin.

"I like you Eury."

My eyes widened, sa sobrang pagkabigla parang naputol ang aking dila. No words came out. I'm just too speechless.

"I'm not forcing you to like me back. I just want you to know my feelings."

"Bakit ako?" I asked still confused.

Oz held my hand. Napabuntong hininga siya bago nagsalita.

"When we first met I was just bored that's why I asked for your name. After that day hindi na 'ko nakatulog ng maayos nang hindi ka naiisip. I tried deleting your name on my head pero kusa paring bumabalik. Simula 'nun hinanap na kita sa buong campus. This may sound creepy but I am just watching you from afar, tuwing vacant ang schedule ko. I am not a stalker, I just couldn't help not to see your face for a day. I am liking you so bad Eury and it's terryfying already. Hindi ko na kasi alam kung anong gagawin ko kapag tinago ko pa, kaya eto, inaamin ko na."

Napangiti ako sa sinabi ni Oz and I won't deny the kilig I'm feelin' right now.

"Eury can I be your future jowa?" I composed myself and nodded at him as an answer.

END