Chased by El Lewis Vesper Esquivel

Chapter 3

I almost wanted to unsign my name again after registering it into our unofficial activity in Laguna. My hands felt so heavy after signing my name in their program sheet.

"Okay, Ms. Aragon, we will have our orientation after the last exam on Friday, 5PM to 6PM. See you!"

I looked at the organizer hesitantly but still nodded my head. Tumalikod na ako at kaagad na bumungad sa akin ang medyo mahaba-habang pila ng mga pupunta rin.

I sighed heavily as I walked towards Joaquin who was on the side. It is official and I am gonna be wasting my time and energy for something that I don't really like again.

Joaquin gave me an encouraging smile. He then pulled out a small cartoon of strawberry milk from his bag which I quickly got from his hold, he chuckled at what I did and stood up from where he was seated.

"It's fine, Nikah." He wrapped his arms around me.

I looked up to him. "Maybe...maybe we could talk to them and ask if outsiders are allowed?" I hesitantly asked.

I looked at the long line of people then back to him. Sumimangot siya sa akin pagkatapos ay ngumisi.

"No. And I do not want to." Prangka niyang sagot.

Ako naman ngayon ang sumimangot na nag pahalakhak sa kanya. I gave him puppy eyes after and he stopped laughing.

"Please, Joaquin...it's just a week. I don't have friends---"

"But you have a fiance and he is even in fact the organizer. There is nothing to worry about, Nikah." He reminded me again as if I always forgot that fact.

Napalabi ako sa marahas na sagot niya. Our relationship wasn't that really out in the public. We have decided together with our family that our engagement will be announced after he graduates. Kaya kung may nakakaalam man ay iyon ang mga taong pinagkakatiwalaan namin. And I have Joaquin on my part.

"Get out of the way."

Kapwa kami napalingon sa harapan namin ng makarinig kami ng malamig na boses. I can't help but swallow hard as I looked at his deep set of eyes. He is carrying a huge box with him at nakaharang nga kami daraanan niya dahil medyo marami pang nakapila at nagkalat na estudyante.

Joaquin pulled me closer to him, making space for him and the huge box he was holding. But then his eyes remained on us as if we were still on his way. He looks irritated. That is because his brows were furrowed and despite his glasses, his eyes looked almost angry.

Pasuplado siyang umiwas ng tingin sa amin. He then walked towards the organizing body.

I looked at him as he opened the box and started arranging it. Mabigat ang bawat galaw niya at halata iyon sa halos padabog na niyang paghawak sa mga ito.

"Your fiance looks so tired." Joaquin commented.

Well, he is the organizer of this event so...I looked at Joaquin pleadingly again.

"Let's just ask kung pwede, please..."

He removed his hold on me as if he was tired of my pleadings. Then he sat again on one of the benches.

"Go. Pero wag kang mamilit..." He didn't even finish his sentence but a smile already crept into my lips. He groaned at my reaction and I smiled more.

"Kung ayaw nila, huwag kang mamilit. That's the deal, Nikah." He irritatingly instructed.

Dali-dali akong bumalik sa table ng organizing body. My eyes went back to him and he is still there organizing some materials.

While an applicant was signing her name, the officer looked at me. "Yes Ma'am? May kailangan pa po kayo?"