Chasing the Genuine Love

Chapter 28

"Are you sad because you're not sitting next to your friend anymore?"

Sheynis's voice suddenly pulled me out of my thoughts. It's been three weeks since we were assigned to sit together but she still asks me this same question almost every day. At this point, I felt like she was trying to get under my skin.

I already accepted her apology but I never expect that fate would side with her by making us seatmates. It was a twist that I haven't seen coming.

Okay na sana sa 'kin na nasa iisang classroom kami pero bakit ginawa pa kaming magkatabing dalawa.

I'm not entirely comfortable around her yet, but I'm making an effort, especially since we're stuck sitting together. She keeps trying to talk to me as if we're already close friends.

"Of course, sino bang matutuwa kung itatabi sa 'yo," sabi ko sa sarili ko. Sa dinami-raming bagong mukha bakit ikaw pa ang pinili na magiging seatmate ko.

I just nodded at Sheynis, not bothering giving her a word. She continued to ask more questions, 'yung mga tanong na obvious na obvious naman ang sagot.

Kahit nga 'ata six years old ay masasagot ang tanong niya.

"My mom made this, get one," nagulat ako nang bigla siyang naglahad ng sandwich sa akin. It's already our break time at wala akong planong mag snacks dahil tinatamad akong pumunta sa cafeteria.

Buti sana kung hindi busy si Nico dahil uutosan ko sana siya na ipagbili ako, kaso napansin ko na busy pa siya sa pagsasagot ng activity niya.

Si Laureen naman ay mukhang ayaw rin 'ata lumabas dahil hindi ako niyaya. She's also busy with another book. Not a romance novel but it was an educational book.

For a moment, I looked up Sheynis and I was a bit hesitant to accept the snack she offered. Seeing her face, looking so excited, I could feel her sincerity and it felt like I couldn't just refuse her. Isa pa, pagkain iyon. Bawal tumanggi sa grasya.

I carefully accepted the sandwich and felt a small wave of gratitude. It wasn't just about the sandwich though, it was about the effort that she and her mother had put into this small act of kindness.

"Salamat," I managed to say, trying to match her enthusiasm with a smile of my own. She seemed genuinely happy that I accepted it, and for the first time, I saw a side of her that I hadn't noticed before.

She was actually friendly. Three weeks have passed and I could really say that she was changing. Each day, she proves it to me. She was making an effort to be better, to be closer to me, and maybe, trying us to become friends.

I know it was still a bit awkward and I couldn't deny that. I wasn't sure how to feel about it yet, but at least she was trying. And maybe, just maybe, I could try too.

The next day, I was surprised by waking up earlier than usual. Zach called me and greeted me a cheerful "good morning," and that was enough to brighten my entire day. His voice was the first thing I heard, and it left me feeling happy.

When I arrived at school, I couldn't help but notice how early it was. The sun was barely up, and the campus was still quiet. Grabe, mukhang talo ko na pa 'ata pagiging guard nito.

I just decided to visit the nearest coffee shop to kill some time. Bibili nalang ako ng caffè mocha at tatambay muna doon.

"What? That's not my order."

Isang galit na boses ang bumungad sa akin nang makapasok ako sa coffee shop. Dahan-dahan pa akong naglakad papasok at humanap ng pwesto dahil mukhang may isang customer sa tabi na tila ba'y hindi nasisiyahan sa kaniyang order.