After the shoot ended we headed straight to the mall to eat. Together with the other star model and their girl friends as how Maki introduced them to me.
Their circle is really fun to be with — but somehow I can't seem to completely enjoy my time.
Sumulyap ako kay Maki na abala sa pakikipag kwentuhan sa kaniyang mga kaibigan. Mukhang maayos naman siya at walang ibang nararamdaman.
Lumunok ako at ibinalik ang atensyon sa pagkain. I guess I'm just being weird. I don't know why I felt that way earlier, and I don't know why it is still bothering me now.
Gusto kong alisin sa sistema iyon pero ayaw parin mawala.
Tumingin ako sa kaharap at natantong kanina pa siya nakatingin sa akin. Ngumiti siya kung kaya ngumiti rin ako.
"Enjoying your food?" Tanong niya.
Naramdaman ko ang pasimpleng tinginan ng dalawa sa tabi ko. Axel and Angeline. Kanina ay naririnig ko silang nagkukwentuhan pero ngayon ay biglang natahinik.
I cleared my throat. "It's fine. Not my favorite but it's not bad," I answered. He nodded.
"Do you know my name?" Pabirong tanong niya. He leaned over.
I chuckled. "Marcus... right?" Lumawak ang ngiti niya.
"I'm glad you remember. I thought it didn't register to your mind because you seem... pretty occupied..." Tumitig siya. Lumunok ako at uminom ng tubig nang mapansin ang pagsulyap niya kay Maki.
Maki is at the other end of the table. Abala parin sa pakikipag daldalan.
Namula ako sa hiya nang maisip na baka nahalata niya ang nararamdaman ko.
"I have a good memory, Marcus." I tried hard not to act obvious.
Ibinalik niya sa akin ang tingin at muling ngumiti. "I can see that." Umayos siya ng upo.
"Anyway. I heard that aside from being a student leader, you're also a top student in your department. Do you want to study sometime together?"
I looked at him. Hindi inaasahan ang kaniyang alok. Naalala ko rin ang sinabi nina Axel at Angeline kanina. Isa siya sa pinaka magaling sa kanilang department.
I felt the two silently shrieked. Tiningnan ko sila kung kaya natahimik.
"Uh... I guess... sure. Why not?" Ngumiti ako. Mukha namang sincere ang alok niya.
"Great! So... should I get your social or your number? You know... so we can talk more about it."
Nilahad niya ang kaniyang cellphone. Tumango ako at tinanggap iyon.
I typed my number on his phone and gave him my facebook account.
Nagpatuloy kami sa kwentuhan. Ni hindi ko namalayan ang oras at natauhan lang nang mag aya na silang umalis.
"We're drinking at Chester's. Do you want to come?" Tanong ni Maki nang makalabas kami.
I checked my wrist watch. 8 pm na.
"Hindi na. Hindi rin naman ako umiinom... and gabi na rin." Sagot ko. He pursed his lips then nodded.
"Okay. Uh... I'm not gonna drink a lot. I'll go home after an hour too. Don't worry."
I chuckled. "I didn't ask." Sumimangot siya.
"Just in case you want to know." Pabiro niyang pinisil ang pisngi ko at yumuko para ilapit ang mukha. "Wala ka bang pakialam sa'kin?" He pouted and acted cutely. Lumunok ako at mabilis na inilayo ang mukha.
BINABASA MO ANG
When fate allows
RomanceLeanna Cerbito Dominguez is a student leader. Smart and beautiful with an uptight personality. A goal oriented person who always prioritizes her studies, and is often misunderstood to be arrogant and self centered. People would never ever think of a...
