The Story of Us

Chapter 19

Imbes na maging magkaibigan na talaga kami ni Chanda ay hindi nangyari dahil masyado siyang umiiwas sa akin. Hindi ko alam kung bakit. Sinubukan ko siyang i-approach pero umiiwas siya.

Gusto kong itanong sa kanya ang problema pero hindi ko matyempuhan at gano'n nga siya.  Gusto kong hindi na lang pansinin pero ayaw ko naman na gano'n. Hindi ako makakampante kaya hindi mawala sa isipan ko si Chanda.

Hindi ko namalayan na may nakabanggaan na pala ako, my elbow collided with someone’s arm. I stumbled back, trying to regain my balance. The impact threw me off course, and I barely noticed the book that tumbled from the stranger’s hands, landing on the floor with a soft thud.

My gaze snapped up to meet his. He was a boy I had never seen before, dressed in a school uniform. His glasses had slipped down the bridge of his nose, giving him a slightly disheveled look. He had a shocked expression on his face, his eyes wide behind those thick lenses.

"I'm sorry, hindi ko sinasadya. Malalim ang iniisip ko," amin ko sa kanya agad. Napakagat din ako ng labi dahil sa hiyang nararamdaman.

“It’s okay,” he replied, his voice slightly muffled by his glasses as he bent down to pick up the book. “I should have been more careful too. I was just trying to find my way around," marahang sabi niya. Mas dumiin lamang ang kagat ko sa labi.

I watched as he straightened up, holding the book close to his chest. Hindi ko din maiwasan na titigan ang kanyang mukha.

He's handsome hah. Pero mas guwapo pa din si Ryle, walang makakapantay sa ka guwapuhan ng mahal ko.

I giggled.

“Are you okay?” I asked, noting the faint redness on his arm where we’d collided. I felt a pang of guilt, hoping I hadn’t hurt him.

Masyado kasing malalim ang iniisip ko kaya hindi ko siya napansin pero ang bait niya pa din.

He nodded, adjusting his glasses with a sheepish smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks for asking.”

I could see he was nervous, his fingers fidgeting with the edges of the book. It made me feel a bit better, knowing it wasn’t just me feeling awkward. I tried to smile reassuringly, though Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi maalis ang tingin ko sa kanya. Something strange

“I’m Felianna, by the way,” I said, extending my hand in a gesture of friendliness. “Ano pa lang pangalan mo?" tanong ko.

He hesitated for a moment, then shook my hand. “Just call me Acel. Nice to meet you, Felianna," sabi niya atsaka maliit na ngumiti.

Ngayon ko napansin na may dimple pala siya. Like wow! Bihira ang may lalaking may dimple.

Napatitig siya sa akin kaya nailang akong napangiti.

"Mas maganda nga talaga sa malapitan," sabi niya.

I smiled shyly. "Thank you, Acel. Nakakahiya naman..." sabi ko.

We stood there for a moment, the noise of the hallway buzzing around us, both of us unsure of what to say next.

"Saan ka pala pupunta?" tanong ko sa kanya.

He looked at me intensely pero bumalik din naman sa dati. "Sa college building lang din" sagot niya.

Napatango ako. "Same pala tayo. College ka ba?" tanong ko sa kanya ng marealize ang suot niyang uniform. Pinasadahan ko siya ng tingin.

His face lit up with relief at the change of topic. “Actually, yeah. College ako. Hindi ba halata?" he chukled.

Napanguso ako. Naging komportable ako kausap siya. Mukha lang seryoso at mahiyain pero ang totoo hindi naman pala.