Beyond the Fields

11

"Louise! Sabay na tayo!"

Lumingon ako sa direksyon kung saan nanggaling ang pamilyar na boses.

Klein was waving as he ran towards me. Nakita niya pa talaga ako? Ang lawak ng university tapos andaming gates, bakit naman alam niyang dito ako dumadaan sa gate 2?

Well, common sense Thalysia.

Ito ang gate na malapit sa inyo, e. Syempre dito ka niya makikita. Tsaka, dito rin kayo nagkasabay dati.

I face palmed bago ko harapin si Klein. He was already standing infront of me with a cute smile on his face. Hinahangin pa 'yong buhok niya and his blue eyes looked ethereal. He was holding one strap of his bag over his shoulder as he gazed at me.

"Klein," I said, taking a breath. "I told you not to call me that." inis kong tugon.

He crossed his arms. "And I told you that I'll call you whatever I want," Mas lumawak ang ngisi niya.

Napailing ako at inirapan siya tsaka tinalikuran. I started walking and I could feel that his presence behind me as if following me.

And a few minutes later, sinasabayan niya na ako at kung minsan pa ay nauuna siya, he would walk backwards as he talks to me. Baliw talaga, paano nalang kaya kapag may bato sa daan?

"Do you want to see Keila?" tanong niya.

I smirked. "Kina-career na talaga ang pagiging fur parents?"

"Bakit? Maganda naman kasi talaga 'yong offer ko, walang bayad."

"Who would entrust their dog to me-who doesn't have any experience on pets-just like that?" I raised a brow.

Humalukipkip siya at tinuro ang sarili. "Me,"

I scoffed. "You're unbelievable,"

Umayos siya ng lakad, sinasabayan pa rin ako. "Unbelievably handsome, I know that." nakangising sabi niya.

"And unbelievably thick faced," dugtong ko pa.

His lips parted as he dramatically gasped, making me let out a chuckle. "What did you just say?!"

I shook my head. "Didn't know you unbelievably lack in hearing too, I'm not going to repeat myself twice."

Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin kaya natawa ako nang mahina. He just effortlessly makes me laugh. I don't know.

"Ganyan ka na, Castuarez." sabi niya sa parang nagtatampo na tono.

"I was just kidding! Hindi ko naman dineny, ah?" I raised a brow.

Naliwanagan naman ang mukha niya. His eyes sparkled like a kid. "Nagwa-gwapuhan ka sa'kin?" he asked, hopeful.

I shrugged. "Pwede na,"

He blinked. "What do you mean 'pwede na', huh?! Dapat oo, yes or no lang 'yung isasagot don, e!"

"Okay," I said.

"Okay?"

I nodded. "Okay naman 'yang mukha mo." pang-aasar ko pa.

He then glared at me. "Just say yes,"

"No."

"Yes!"

"No!" I fired back.

"Gwapo kaya ako, andami ngang nagkakandarapa sa akin tapos sasabihin mo lang ay 'okay na' at 'pwede na?!'" he said in disbelief.

"Ang hangin mo rin, 'no? Babagyo na talaga, Viorel." naiiling kong tugon at tinuro ang mga itim na ulap sa kalangitan.

Sinamaan niya akong muli ng tingin dahil sa pangalan na itinawag ko sa kaniya. Ngumisi ako, nanghahamon. Ayaw niya akong tigilan sa 'Louise' ah, edi tatawagin ko rin siya sa second name niyang 'Viorel'. Tignan natin kung sino ang magwawagi.