If This Isn't Love

#ITIL04

IF THIS IS LOVE CHAPTER 04

Another day passed. The time goes by. As I walk into the library to read some books to be advance before our lessons, I spot Tristan sitting in the back row, surrounded by a group of giggling girls. They were three of them and sitting in front of him. They were trying so hard not to be so loud. Dahil alam naman ng lahat na hindi pwedeng mag ingay sa library. All I can do is shook my head in disbelief.

He's leaning back in his chair, a cocky grin on his face as he regales them with some story. I roll my eyes and stood up to find a book for my advance study, determined to ignore them.

The library, usually a sanctuary of silence and focus, feels tainted by their whispered conversations and stifled laughter. May mga napapalingon rin sakanilang ibang estudyante sa loob ng library pero mukhang walang plano silang bawalan o ano man. In fact, mas hinahangaan pa nila ng ganoon si Tristan. It's like they are tolerating that kind of behaviors of him. Dahil anak siya ng may ari nitong school? Halos lumuhod ang tao sakaniya rito sa campus dahil doon except me.

I can't help but feel a pang of irritation. The way those girls flock around Tristan, hanging on his every word, makes my skin crawl. Their giggles echo in my mind like nails on a chalkboard. Why do they fawn over him like that? I grit my teeth and mutter under my breath, "Pathetic."

Hindi ko na lang inintindi pa lalo at inabala ang sarili sa mga libro. I spot a good book pero ang masama roon ay medyo hindi kaya ng height ko ang taas kaya naman sobrang stretch na ng braso ko para lang maabot iyon.

Aware ako ba hindi ako ganoong katangkad, sakto lang ang height ko para sa babae. So I tried to jump a bit but carefully. Natuwa ako dahil naabot ng daliri ko but unexpectedly. The book fell. My eyes widened. I muttered 'shit' under my breath at yumuko ang ulo ko, handa ng mabagsakan ng libro but it didn't came.

And after that, the voice that I hated the most spoke behind me. Holding the book I was trying to get in his hands.  Binubuklat niya pa at tinitignan ang content ng libro. Parang walang pakialam sa nangyari. As always. Mayabang.

"You're really weird." Instead, he said. Nag salubong na agad ang kilay ko.

Wearing a gray long sleeve with a zipper on the chest part, nakabukas ang bahagya niyon, paired with loose cargo pants at mataas na naman iyong suot niyang sapatos na iba na naman ang brand.

"This is a psychological type of book." Hinarap niya pa ang libro sa akin and he wiggled it a bit.

"Yeah, and what about that?" Inagaw ko iyon sa kamay niya at inirapan siyang nilagpasan para lumipat sa ibang book shelf.

"Looking for something specific, Juliette?" Tristan's tone is teasing, and I can hear the smirk in his voice without even turning around.

I ignore him, focusing on the titles in front of me. Maybe if I don't engage, he'll get bored and leave.

"How about this one?" He slides a book off the shelf and holds it up. " 'How to Win Friends and Influence People.' Seems like you could use it."

I snatch the book from his hand and place it back on the shelf without a word, moving further down the row.

Tristan follows, undeterred. "Okay, not a fan of that one. How about 'The Art of War'? Might help you deal with all your enemies. Baka matalo mo na ako." He chuckles, clearly enjoying himself.

"I always win against you, Tristan. Wala ng pakinabang sa akin iyan kung ganoon." Pagbara ko sakaniya hoping na titigilan niya na itong kabubuntot niya.

He chuckles like it's a song to my ear. Kiniliti non ang aking tainga. "You did? I can't remember."

I finally turn to face him, narrowing my eyes. "Do you ever take anything seriously, Tristan?"