"DAMN!?"
Galit na sigaw at mura niya. Napanganga siyang napatingin sa suot nitong itim na hoodie at pants niya na natapunan ng tubig. Nakasuot siya ng sumbrero at nakayuko kaya hindi ko masyadong kita ang istura nya.
Before I could muster an apology, he suddenly lifted his gaze, locking eyes with me in a penetrating stare that caught me off guard. His intense scrutiny, accentuated by furrowed eyebrows and striking gray eyes, captivated me. Despite the facial concealment, his posture exuded an air of affluence, hinting at a demeanor that commanded attention and respect.
Napalunok nalang ako ng wala sa oras.
"S-sorry. H-hindi ko po sinasadya na itapon sayo yung tubig—"Narinig ko ang pagbuga niya ng hangin sa likod ng mask nya kaya napatigil ako sa pagsasalita. Napalunok ako ng wala sa oras ng binaling ang tingin nito sa iba. He seemed to calm himself first before returning his gaze to me.
"Shit.. " Narinig kong mura niya ulit. Kalmado na ito bago dahan dahang tinanggal ang suot nitong itim na hoodie at sumbrero.
"S-sorry ulit. . " When he finally took off the hoodie he was wearing. It had a white shirt inside it and it's a good thing it didn't get wet."I-I really didn't mean what happened-"
"Stop." Pigil nito sa akin bago linukot ang hoodie niya. Tumingin ito sa magkabilang gilid bago tumingin ng napakatalim sa akin.
"Stop, miss. It's not your fault. I was running so I didn't mean to bumped you." Malamig at kalmadong sabi nito. Napayuko naman ako sa hiya. Agad kong pinulot ang timba na wala ng laman dahil sa pagkakatapon.
Natuod ako sa puwesto ko ng lumapit ito sa basurahan.
I found myself taken aback as he casually discarded the hoodie he had been wearing, lightly patting himself before resuming his position. His gaze traced my form from head to toe, followed by a deep inhale as he assessed the situation. Intrigued by his actions, I glanced down at myself to see if I was wet because of what happened but not really?
"Is this west highschool University?" Walang expresyon na tanong nito. Salubong ang mga kilay kaya agad naman akong napalunok. Sinuot narin nya ang kanyang sumbrero.
"I-Ito nga. ." Nauutal na sagot ko. West Highschool nga ang pinapasukan kong paaralan dahil isa ito sa mga publikong paaralan na malawak at malaki. Matalino at masipag ang mga teachers na nagtuturo dito rin.
I sensed that he gritted his teeth before scanning both sides of the hallway and scrutinizing the buildings and walls visible to us. His forehead was creased, as if he was troubled by something.
"Really, mom? What kind of school did you send me to? Is this one of your punishment?" Tila asar na asar ito dahil lumalalim ang kunot ng kanyang noo. Tinikom ko ang bibig ko sandali dahil mukhang kausap nito ang sarili.
Tumingin ulit siya sa akin bago ako linagpasan. Takang sinundan ko ito ng tingin ng dumaan ito sa likod ng building.
Napahinga ako ng malalim ng sa wakas ay nakaalis na siya. Winaksi ko sa isipan ko ang nangyari. Napalunok ako ng maalalang baka kanina pa pala ako hinihintay ni Bea sa room. I was about to leave when I noticed the trash bin where his hoodie was discarded. Surveying both sides and the rear of the building where the unfamiliar man had recently passed by, I approached the trash can with a sense of curiosity, to inspect it.
Mga plastic cup or bottles lang naman ang nasa basurahan kaya nagdadalawang isip pa ako kung kukunin ko ba o hindi na.
Kinuha ko iyon. "Mukha pang mamahalin 'ata." Konsensya ko ng makitang mamahalin yata ang hoodie. Napatingin ako sa magkabilang gilid upang tignan kung wala talagang tao bago binalik ulit sa hoodie ang tingin.
