Love on Trial

Chapter 8: Closer

Maxine's POV

Our first day in College finally approached.

Wala din akong ginawa the entire week kundi mag-trabaho at matuto sa company ni Dad. As I promised to myself, bumawi ako sa kaniya. And talagang nag focus lang ako sa internship ko.

Inaamin ko na may mga pagkakataong pumapasok parin sa isip ko si A’ishah.

I badly wanted to send her a text message. Maybe ask her how she's doing, or if she needs to refresh her mind.

The thought of her hanging out with Nicole alone to unwind is bothering so much. Ilang beses akong nagdelete ng text message na tinatype ko para i-send sa kaniya.

In the end, mas nanalo parin ang self-restraint ko. I managed to keep my focus despite her lingering in my mind.

And now I'm in our campus, my feet are walking so fast kasi ilang minuto nalang at mali-late na ako.

“Not so fast, Maxine. Help me carry these.” Denise spoke as I walked past her. Ni hindi ko siya mapapansin kung hindi lang siya nagsalita.

With a sigh, bumalik ako para tulungan siyang bitbitin yung mga dala niya.

“Tulungan mo rin akong mag set-up niyan mamaya ha.” Sabi niya na tinanguan ko nalang. Ano bang magagawa ko? Professor ko siya ngayon kaya wala akong magagawa kundi sumunod sa kaniya ngayon.

“I can finally see A’ishah's beautiful face again.” She said out of nowhere.

Natigilan ako sa narinig. Ang aga aga mukhang masisira na kaagad yung araw ko dahil sa kaniya.

“Stay away from her.” I gritted my teeth.

“Oh! But I can't, Maxine.” She smirked, challenging me.

“Don't you dare come near her, Denise. She's out of your league.” Galit na bulong ko sa kaniya kasi may mga estudyante pa sa paligid.

“And she's within your league, Maxine? What a pity.” She chuckled and walked fast. Leaving me feeling angry at the corridor.

Eventually, I catch up on her kaya magkasunod lang kaming dumating sa classroom.

Nanahimik ang ingay sa classroom nang pumasok kami ni Denise. I could feel the stares of my friends while fixing Denise's things.

“Salamat, Maxine.” Denise bitterly thanked me. Plastic.

I gave her a fake smile bago ako naglakad papunta sa direksyon ng mga kaibigan ko.

I saw from my peripheral vision that A’ishah is watching me pero hindi ko na muna siya pinansin kasi sobrang badtrip na ako dahil kay Denise. Ayokong makita ni A’ishah na ganito ako kaya umupo ako sa tabi ni Gwyneth.

Denise decided to teach despite receiving disapproval from my classmates. She even re-arranged our seats kaya mas lalo silang nagreklamo.

I get to sit in the second row because of my surname. I tried to make myself busy with the book in front of me when I heard Denise spoke.

“Alvarez, dito ka. Ayaw mo ba akong kaharap?” Pa-cute at nagtatampong saad nito kay A’ishah. Akala niya ba cute siya? Inismiran niya pa ako kaya inirapan ko siya. Sinusubukan talaga ng babaeng ‘to ang pasensya ko eh.

I saw A’ishah's surprised face at agad naman siyang sumunod kay Denise.

Excitement was all over her face when she saw me sitting behind her chair. She gave me a sweet smile, which I returned with a small smile before looking away.

“Ms. Den, may boyfriend ka na ba?” Tanong ng lalaking katabi ni Nics.

“Kung meron na, pwede bang ireto mo nalang kami kay Alvarez?” Dagdag naman ng lalaking nasa likod ko.