Mind Over Matter

Chapter 2

The days, weeks, and months ahead feel like a living hell for me. Thaddeus Romualdez, ang seatmate kong kapre! Kadalilipat ako ng upuan ay lilipat din 'to, at kapag babalik naman ako sa dati naming upuan ay bumabalik din 'to. Everything he does annoys me - his actions, words, gaze, aura, and even his breath!

Can't he just stop breathing so that I can live in peace?!

He told his friends that he didn't like me and not even his type! Ba't ayaw nya'kong lubayan?! He shouldn't sit beside me. 

"Come on, just sit here. It's not a big deal. it won't hurt to sit next to me." Pagpupumilit nitong saad. 

“Can you just leave me alone?” irita kong saad nito.

“No, just sit beside me.” saad naman nito't kinuha ang bag ko't ibinalik ito sa katabi ng upuan niya. 

“Ayoko, akin na 'yang bag ko.” saad ko habang pilit na inaagaw sa kanya ang bag ko. Sa tangkad ba naman ng kapre na 'to paano ko makukuha 'to?! 

Kumuha ako ng upuan at pumatong ako do'n. Itinaas nya pa ang bag ko dahilan para mahirapan akong abutin ito't baka matumba ang upuan na pinatungan ko. Nagulat ako ng pumatong din 'to sa upuan na pinatungan ko.

 "Give me back my bag, Thaddeus! That's not funny." Inis na saad ko habang pilit na inaagaw sakanya ang bag ko. 

As I reached out to retrieve my bag from his hand, an unexpected mishap occurred. He accidentally tripped, causing both of us to lose our balance and tumble to the ground. In the midst of the fall, I landed on top of him.

In that split second, his right hand instinctively moved to protect my head from hitting the floor, while his left hand wrapped around my waist, ensuring our safety. I could feel the warmth of his touch, hear the steady beat of his heart, and catch a whiff of his fresh scent.

However, our intimate moment was abruptly interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps outside our room. The reality of our surroundings snapped me back to my senses, and I quickly stood up, disentangling myself from the unexpected closeness.

The incident left us momentarily stunned, exchanging a brief glance filled with a mix of surprise and embarrassment. As we heard the footsteps draw nearer, we both instinctively composed ourselves.

“Ugh—fuck!” ipit na sigaw ni Thaddeus ng aksidenti kong maapakad ang daliri nito.

“Don't cursed!” Bulong na sigaw ko nito't naghanap ng matataguan.

“Ba't wala sa flag ceremony sina Ghelie at Thaddeus?” saad nila sa labas. 

Nataranta ako ng marinig ko ang pagpihit nila sa doorknob at dali–dali nalang akong umupo sa upuan ko't nagpanggap na natutulog. 

“Oh, Thaddeus—”

“Shh... someone's sleeping.” sambit nito't naramdaman ko namang umupo ito sa tabi ko. 

“Ba't nandito kayong dalawa?” rinig kong usisa nila.

“Nagaaral ba kayo para sa quiz bee?” 

“Kahit di kayo mag–aral, kayo pa rin magiging representative!”

“Kaya pala di ako ginaganahan magaral dapat pala may kasabay.” 

Rinig kong usisa nila sa paligid. Nakapikit lang akong nakatalukbong habang nakikinig sa paligid.

he faked a cough. 

“Umupo na kayo. Sir. Reyes would come in a minutes.” saad nito't narinig ko naman ang kaluskos ng mga upuan at lamesa sa paligid hudyat na nagsiupuan na mga 'to.