If This Isn't Love

#ITIL03

IF THIS ISN'T LOVE CHAPTER 03

The image of Tristan's scandal in the public restroom lingered in my mind like a stubborn stain, refusing to fade no matter how hard I tried to scrub it away.  Every time I closed my eyes, I could see him, his lips locked with another woman's, his arrogant smirk etched into my memory.

As I entered the classroom, I could feel Tristan's eyes on me, I gaze like a weight pressing down on my shoulders. Hindi ko siya binigyan ng sulyap. Ito lang naman ang isang beses na makikita ko siya ngayong araw. And I hate it na sa schedule magkikita parin kami sa klaseng ito. Nagpasalamat ako na malayo ang aking upuan sakaniya. Kahit hanggang rito nararamdaman ko ang bigat ng presensya niya.

He is now wearing a blue shirt paired with a loose leather pants and still wearing the shoes he wore yesterday. The color of his shirt defined his Moreno skin color. Ito yung tipo ng Moreno na parang may kinang sa kaniyang balat.

This isn't the same class as yesterday. Parehong classroom pero iba ang subject kaya naman lalaki ang Prof. Nagpasalamat talaga ako sa araw na ito na hindi ko makikita iyong Prof namin kahapon dahil hindi ko parin nakakalimutan ang nangyari. Hindi man ako nasurpresa ng walang nakaupo sa katabi kong upuan.

I can still feel his gaze on me and slowly, I found myself uncomfortable. Sandali akong sumulyap ng magbigay agad ng task iyong Prof kung nasaan siya. His bore eyes is still looking at me ng lumingon ako. He tilt his head and raise his left eye brow.

I avoided his gaze, focusing instead on the task at hand, but I could sense his presence looming over me like a shadow.

Throughout the class, Tristan's teasing glances and lifted eyebrows only served to deepen the awkwardness I feel. Para bang may warning ang bawat tama namin ng tingin. I pretended not to notice, burying myself in my notes and avoiding any interaction with him at all costs. The class was already done. Nagmadali agad akong lumabas. Riel was about to called me pero bago pa mangyari iyon nakalabas na ako ng room na iyon.

The air in there is so suffocating. Hindi ko na ata makakalimutan ang nakita ko. I just saw a live people kissing like they're gonna eat each other if I didn't came. And In my entire existence as a twenty-one year old female, hindi ako naka witness ng mga ganoon. Gusto kong malaman niya na wala akong pakialam sa nangyari o sa nakita ko. He is a nobody to me so there's nothing to be noisy about.

I tried not to bumped into him inside the campus. But fate had other plans.

As I made my way to the cafeteria to grab lunch dahil may klase pa ako after ng lunch, nag decide ako na dito nalang sa loob muna ng campus kumain. I am waiting on the line until it's my turn to get my food. I felt a presence at my side. Glancing up, I found Tristan trailing behind me, his trademark smirk firmly in place.

"Juliette," he said, his voice dripping with arrogance as he reached past me to grab a tray. "Fancy meeting you here."

Talaga?

"I'm not in the mood today, whatever your name is." I pretended not to remember his name. He chuckles playfully.

I bristled at his casual tone, but before I could respond, Tristan was already piling food onto my plate with exaggerated flair.

"Let me guess," he continued, his tone mocking. "You're still reeling from the shock of seeing me in such a compromising position in the bathroom, aren't you?"

My cheeks flushed crimson at the reminder, and I fought to maintain my composure as Tristan continued to taunt me.

"Well, I hate to burst your bubble, Juliette," he said, his smirk widening.