Fervent Keeper (FK Series #3)

Kabanata 36

The first time I saw him at Starbucks where I used to go when I was college, I thought it was purely coincidence. But on the following day, I saw him in National Book Store buying for books. He was dressed casually. He has always looked proud and tall with his physique. He was wearing his black fitted shirt and his cap. It was also my first time seeing him in his eyeglasses. That made him look hotter. I rolled my eyes with what I just thought. Did I really compliment him?

"Sinusundan mo ba ako?" inis kong baling habang naghahanap siya ng libro.

"No," he said. "I'm looking for a book."

"You're always where I am at."

"And?"

I swallowed hard as his gaze met mine. He was staring at me like I almost couldn't breathe on how deep that was. He's like that, even before, he would always look at me as if examining me.

"Y-You're purposely doing it." I trailed off. Why the hell I was nervous all of a sudden?

"What?"

"You, following me."

"I'm not." He denied.

"I'm not dense not to know that you're following my tail!" Sa lakas ng boses ko ay napatingin ang iilang tao sa loob. Sa hiya ay tiningnan ko siya pabalik.

I crossed my arms. "Let's talk outside," mahinahon kong sabi sa kanya.

This was not the scenario I envisioned of! Why was I with him again?

Nang nasa parking area ay napansin kong nakasunod siya sa akin.

"Tapatin mo nga ako." I sternly looked at him. "What do you really want?"

"I..." He trailed off and gulped hard. "Wala."

"Are you hearing yourself?"

"Wala nga. That's just a coincidence. Stop making a fuss."

I heaved a deep sigh. "Oh, really? Akala mo ba hindi ko napapansin na pumunta ka rin nakaraan sa SB. Pati rito, nakasunod ka rin. Why are you doing this?"

There's no point for him to deny it.

"Fine." He breathed. "I tailed on you. I'm sorry."

Sapat na 'yon para bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko muli.

"Why?" I curiously eyed him, waiting for his answer.

"I..." He moistened his lips. "I just want to ask how you've been."

I lifted a mocking smile. "I've never been better, Lander when we broke up."

I sounded harsh, right? But, I didn't know why it came out of my mouth that instant!

Hindi ko na inisip kung pagsisisihan ko 'yon.

"I see. I'm glad that you made it."

"Okay," sabi ko. "May sasabihin ka pa ba?"

"See you around," aniya na malawak ang ngiti.

"What?! We're not going to see each anymore, Mr. Fuentez."

"That sounded sexy." He chuckled. Why was he behaving and talking to me casually? Like we didn't break up. Like he didn't hurt me. I knew how he could be unpredictable at times but really, he'd do this?

"We will. I assure you." He sounded sure and confident. And for a second, I was reminded of the past encounter that we had. Same scenario. Same words.

"Stop," inis kong tugon. "Are you trying to get back at me because surely that won't happen? Don't even try. And, how can you have the nerve to talk to me after what you did?"