If I Could Fall (Love and Mishap Series #1)

Prologue

Prologue

"Uno, sino 'yon?" kuryusong tanong ng kaibigan kong si Owen sabay akbay sa akin.

Naglalakad kami papuntang cafeteria ng school. It's break time so we agreed to eat some rice toppings there. That will serve as my brunch since it's also already ten in the morning now.

"Siya 'yong transferee diba? Ang ganda niya pala talaga. At sobrang bango pa!" Bulalas ni Owen sabay yugyog sa aking balikat. "Tsaka tinignan rin ako, pare!" Dagdag niya, tunog mas mayabang na ngayon.

Iniwas ko ang katawan ko sa kanya at pilit tinanggal ang kamay niyang naka-akbay. Papalapit na kami ng cafeteria.

"Tss. Hindi ka tinignan no'n," simple at siguradong sagot ko.

Patuloy kong tinatanggal ang akbay niya. Mas lalo niya nga lang pinalupot ang kanang braso sa akin.

"Tangeks! Tinignan ako! As in eye contact!"

Napailing ako sa kakulitan ni Owen. Event Saint, my other friend at the back walking nonchalantly scoffed. Nilingon siya ni Owen at minura. Tinulak ako ni Owen sa gilid at binitawan.

I glared coldly at Owen's childish behavior. May nabunggo pa akong isang grade seven na babae. The girl blushed and said her sorry.

"It's not your fault," I told her. "Kasalanan niya," I point a finger at Owen.

The girl stuttered as she said na okay lang. Namula ulit siya at napakagat ng labi sa akin. Oh oh. I know this shit. That's why before I got to say something offensive, I slightly bowed at the girl. Good thing she took the sign to finally leave in front. Nang maka-alis ay inayos ko ang kwelyo ng aking uniporme. My neck stretched a bit making me feel my own jaw tighting.

I lick my lower lip. Pinasadahan ko rin ang aking kakagupit lang na buhok. I put my left hand in my pants pocket while I continue walking.

"Huling-huli ko 'yong tingin niya sakin eh!"

I doubt that. Hindi si Owen ang tinitignan no'n. Hindi rin si Saint. Alam ko kung sino.

Owen walked backward, facing us. He realized in seconds that we don't believe him. Not even a bit.

"Uy mga bobo! Ang hirap niyong pasayahin!" Asik niya. "Pusta ko, hindi aabot ng isang buwan, makakausap ko 'yon sa chat! Late night talks!

Owen is talking about a familiar girl who passed by us a while ago. Hula ko, galing rin ng cafeteria. She was holding a fictional book with a cucumber juice in her other hand. Amidst the crowd of boys and girls in this school premises, she's the only one who wore casual clothes today.

Maybe the reason why she's instantly noticeable in the crowd. One of my guesses too is that, she still doesn't have her uniform. Our uniform.

She was wearing a black trouser paired with a cream loose knitted top. Must be the reason why a black thin strap of her inner top was showing a bit on her right shoulder. The girl's long wavy hair was properly down and tucked on both behind her ears, highlighting more of her soft yet very intimidating features.

"Magkano sayo Saint? Maglapag ka ng pusta mo sakin!" si Owen na walang paawat kahit na nakapila na kami sa isang food stall.

I shook my head and smirked at him. Nasa harap ko siya at nasa likod ko naman ulit si Saint. I'm between them. I saw how Saint rolled his eyes at Owen when I glanced at him in the back.

"Pupusta ko bahay at lupa namin, 'di ka r-replyan no'n," ani Saint.

I formed my mouth into O. Tinakpan ko 'yon ng nakakuyom kong kamao sa kanan. I couldn't hide my playful smile at Owen, though. Dahilan nang mas lalong pagkairita niya. Umamba ito ng suntok kay Saint. Sinaway kalaunan si Owen ng ilang estudyante sa harap. He glared at us.

"Bibig mo pasmado, Saint! Minsan ka na lang magsalita ng mahaba, wala pang kwenta!" Owen quietly fired at Saint. Then he turned his glare at me.

"'Yong sayo, Uno? Ilan pusta mo?" hamon niya.

I licked my lips and stared at him coolly. He rolled his eyes when my silence was taking so much of his time and anticipation.

"Poteks, 'wag na nga lang. Magkaibigan pa talaga tayo sa lagay na 'to, ah? Ni wala kayong suporta sakin. Mga wala silbi!"

"Isang libo," I casually answered Owen that cut his nonsense off. Dinig ko ang kaunting pagkaubo ni Saint sa likod. "Hindi mo makakausap 'yon."

Owen's eyes widened a bit. "Tangina. Ganyan ka ka-walang bilib sakin?" He sounded so offended while the line moves. Nakaharap ulit siya samin, walking backward again.

I shrugged and took a step forward in the line.

"Isang libo," ulit ko, medyo seryoso na ngayon. "Hindi ikaw ang tinignan no'n at hindi ka rin r-replayan no'n."

Owen scoffed. "Makapagsalita ka, akala mo kilala mo 'yong tao ah. Tsaka sino naman tinignan niya kanina? Mukhang kilala niya yata isa sa atin."

Owen frowned a bit. "Kilala mo?" He asked when a sudden realization hit him.

"Shet. Siya ba 'yon?" Owen asked curiously but I don't feel the need to answer anymore. "Tangina? Mukhang kilala mo nga 'yon!" he declared.

I don't 'just' know her though. Kilalang-kilala ko 'yon. At kilalang-kilala rin ako no'n. Sigurado ako do'n.