Star-Crossed Melodies (Echoes #1)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Eyes

I threw powerful punches at the punching bag, giving each blow my all. Sweat dripped from my hair, running down my forehead. Huminga ako nang malalim habang na nanatili ang aking mata sa punching bag na kaunting suntok na lang ay bibigay na.

After throwing a rapid series of punches, the bag swung back, narrowly missing me as I quickly dodged out of the way.

Sunod-sunod na suntok ang ginawa ko, hindi pinansin ang pawis sa aking mukha at katawan. Para na akong naligo. Sa sobrang lakas ng suntok ko ay tuluyan nang nasira ang punching bag.

I ran my hand through my damp hair, staring at the broken punching bag. I clenched my jaw and bit my lower lip, leaving it there for a moment. Grabbing my water bottle, I took a sip, trying to cool down.

"Kamusta date mo kahapon?" boses ni Reon ang narinig ko. Nilingon ko ang laptop na nasa tabi ng boxing ring.

I shrugged while taking a sip.

"Date ba ang tawag doon?" I asked bitterly, setting down the tumbler. "Ang date 'yong kami lang dalawa, walang sisingit na ibang tao!"

Humagikgik si Reon. Umiling lang ako bago naupo sa boxing ring, hindi inaalis ang mata sa laptop kung nasaan siya.

"Ano bang nangyari? Hindi ka na bumalik sa cafeteria, ah? Hinatid mo na sa bahay?"

The bitterness in my system spread instantly.

"How could I walk her home when she was accompanied by another guy?" ani ko. "After dropping her off at school, she ignored me as if I were just a passing breeze."

Reon burst into laughter. "Ginawa kang driver?"

"Parang ganoon na nga!" inis kong sigaw.

"Hindi ka niya gusto. Just accept the fact that she's not into you."

I clenched my jaw.

I stood up and walked over to a drawer, grabbing a plain white shirt and black khaki shorts. I also picked up a clean towel, draping it over my shoulder as I faced the laptop.

"Then why did she tell me I looked handsome at our gig?" sumbat ko.

Hindi niya sasabihin iyon kung hindi niya ako gusto!

"Assuming mo," buyo ng isang 'to.

"Believe me, Reon, she wouldn't say that if it wasn't her intention. You don't tell someone something like that if it's not true-" pinutol niya.

"Malay mo hindi totoo? Fan mo siya. Baka may iba siyang gusto kasi mahirap kang abutin,"

I laughed and shook my head.

"Mahirap abutin? Bakit? Artista ba ako? Hindi naman, ah? If I were hard to reach, I wouldn't have entertained her even with a glance! But what? I escorted her and spent time with her yesterday! Is that what she calls hard to reach? Almost like spending the whole day together?"

Reon smirked on my laptop screen, finding my frustration amusing. Gusto ko siyang suntukin ng kaliwa't kanan. Kung nandito lang 'to baka siya na ang napalit ko sa punching bag.

"Fan lang siya, dude. Kaya siguro tinawag ka niyang gwapo no'ng gabing 'yon kasi gwapo ka naman talaga. Binigyan mo lang ng ibang kahulugan." ngisi niya.

Nalaglag ang aking panga.

"Hindi ako assuming."

"Alam ko! Pero ayaw mo no'n? Gwapo ka?"

I smirked. "Gwapo kahit saang anggulo."

He nodded.

"Assuming ka nga."