Until You Say I Do

Kabanata 11: Annoyed

Kabanata 11
"ANNOYED"

Things went well in the days that followed. I have been occupied with the assignments and exercises that the teachers have assigned in groups or individually before the review quiz and final test that comes up next week. My present for Althea is also ready, except for the dress. And I am also busy helping Ate Paulina for her wedding preparation, while Mom focused more on the upcoming engagement party after the family dinner planned by the Vergara.

I'm glad I'm too busy to think about Paul Costa that I almost forgot about him, which is a good thing, more so, upon meeting Chris Villareal, my attention shifted even further.

These days, I usually finish up my homework and take-home tasks at a cafe along with my friends, and I've seen him a lot after class or during breaks on a cafe. He looks very busy working in front of his laptop with coffee and snacks on his plate. Pagnakikita niya ako ay binabati niya ako. Natutuwa naman ako sa konting interaction namin.

"Good afternoon." Bati niya sa akin sa mababang tono na siyang ikinagulat ko.

"G-good afternoon." Halos mautal ako.

"You're alone? Where's your friends?"

Muli akong nagulat sa tanong niya. Hindi ko inaasahan na mapapansin niya na may mga kasama akong kaibigan dito paminsan minsan.

Tumango ako. "Busy." Tipid na sagot ko.

Tumango siya at hindi na sumagot saka nilagpasan ako.

Minsan naman nakikita ko siyang kasama ang mga kaklase, babae man o lalaki at hindi na ako magtataka sa dami ng gustong makipag kaibigan sa kaniya. Sa impluwensiya at ganyang itsura ay marami ang humahanga sa kaniya. At... aaminin ko ding kahit ako ay humahanga din dito.

"Chris? Are you going to come over at Stephen's birthday party?" Rinig kong tanong ng babae sa tabi niya.

"I'm not sure, Kat."

"What 'bout after party?"

"I'll try."

The girl pushed his arm a bit. "Sumama kana. Minsan lang naman. You should loosen up sometimes. Hindi yung babad kana nga sa pag-aaral babad ka pa sa trabaho."

Chris chuckled and shook his head. Ngumiwi naman ako sa narinig.

"Sige ka, bata-bata mo pa magkaka-wrinkles ka niyan." Parang bata na sabi nung Kat ang pangalan. Tila naglalambing.

Natawa ako ng bahagya dahil sa pamimilit niya, kahit obvious naman na ayaw ni Chris. Ni hindi ko namamalayan na nakatingin na pala sila sa akin, I quickly shut my mouth when I saw the girl Kat frown at me. Ngumiti ako ng plastik sa kaniya.

"Pia..."

Tumaas ang kilay ko ng tawagin ako ni Chris.

"Hmm?" Ani ko sa maliit na boses sabay kaway. "H-hi!"

"Your alone again?" Tanong niya kagaya ng madalas kapag wala akong kasama.

Ngumiti ako at tumango.

Tumingin siya sa paligid ko. "Your friends?"

Umiling ako.

I had asked my friends to come over here after class, but Cyprian told me she had errands to run at her mother's request. Aris then insisted to come with her, until the two argue like they always did. Later, Prian called to complain that she was with Aris at the moment, who was constantly pestering her. Thea, on the other hand, informed me that she was going on a date with Khael, like the usual.

"Probably, busy with their boyfriends." Natatawang sagot ko.

Nagsalubong ang kilay niya at nakitaan ko ng konting iritasyon ang mga mata. Hindi nga lang ako sigurado sa nakita kaya tinitigan ko pa siya ng mabuti, ngunit huli na nang tumango siya at seryosong ibinalik ang mga mata sa laptop niya at ipinagpatuloy ang ginagawa.