Our Fleeting Glances

Chapter 2

"So embarrassing!" I said, feeling my cheeks burn with embarrassment. Inis na inis ako kay Rios, pero siya naman, tawa lang ng tawa.

"Hahaha!" he laughed, obviously enjoying my discomfort. Nakakainis talaga si Rios! Hindi ko alam kung bakit parang hobby na niya akong asarin. Pero okay lang... maybe because deep inside, I kind of missed this-the way he made fun of me, the way we shared moments that felt like they were ours alone.

Nagpatuloy lang kami sa paglalakad hanggang makarating kami sa pinakasentro ng garden. A beautiful place, full of flowers and memories. Dito kami laging tambay noon-our secret spot. Every corner brought back something I'd buried deep, wishing na sana merong time machine. Each petal seemed to whisper secrets we once shared, now lost to time.

As we walked side by side, I caught the sound of "Misteryoso" by Cup of Joe drifting through the air, likely from someone's earphones nearby. I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me, the lines echoing my own hidden feelings of longing and uncertainty.

"Woah, ang ganda!" I heard my classmates squealing from afar, even though naka-earphones pa ako. Curious, I stood up and followed the noise to where everyone was gathered.

It was breathtaking. There, in front of me, stood an incredible piece of art, detailed and full of emotion. Kaya pala nagkakagulo ang mga tao, it was made by one of the school's most famous student artists. A perfect piece of art.

"He must be a genius," I whispered in awe, staring at every detail.

"Yes. He is," a voice beside me answered. I turned to see a stunning girl, effortlessly elegant. I had to move back a bit, feeling like I was overshadowing her beauty. But she didn't even notice me staring; instead, she was frowning, almost angry, as she gazed at the art. When she caught me watching her, she gave a soft smile and walked away. I felt a strange chill.

Pumunta ako sa library para isoli ang libro ko, but before I knew it, I had wandered to the farthest corner-silent and hidden, my favorite spot. Doon ako pumupunta kapag gusto ko ng tahimik. But as the rain poured outside, I decided to stay longer. I was just about to settle in when I heard someone sobbing.

"Hey," I called out gently.

There, in the shadows, was a guy-his shoulders hunched, holding a book close to his chest. He looked up, his eyes swollen from crying.

"What are you doing here?" he asked in a low, serious tone. Napatigil ako sa kaba. His mood seemed to shift suddenly, and he got up, walking toward me slowly. Nagpanic ako. Tumatayo ang balahibo ko habang lumalapit siya. And then-before I knew it-I was backed up against the wall.

"Hala, lagot," I thought. I tried to calm my breathing as he towered over me.

"Look up," he said, his voice softer now. I had been staring at the floor, so slowly, I lifted my eyes to meet his. And just like that, I was caught in his gaze. My heart started racing, faster and faster, especially when he smiled, his eyes sparkling like they were hiding something.

"Naghahanap lang ako ng libro! Hindi ko alam na bawal pala pumunta dito-" I blurted out, words tumbling over each other, but he just chuckled and pressed a finger gently to my lips.

"Shh, you're too noisy... I'm just kidding!" he whispered, his eyes crinkling with amusement.

He burst into quiet laughter, and I just stood there, dumbfounded. Mood swings ba 'to? But gosh, he was gorgeous when he laughed. I never thought someone's laughter could be that mesmerizing.

He finally stopped laughing, fixing his hair in one smooth motion. I couldn't stop staring at him, and he turned to me with that same dazzling smile, catching me off guard.

"Do I look serious kanina? Pasado na ba for a movie star?" he teased, his voice playful.

I let out a deep breath, rolling my eyes, and turned to leave, but he fell in step beside me.

"Kumusta na yung sugat mo? Pasensya na pala kanina," he said, his voice suddenly gentle and full of concern. 

"It's okay! I think it's healing na rin," I said, trying to brush it off.

"By the way, I'm Asterios La Martell," he said, extending his hand with a dazzling grin. His name sounded so fancy, like something out of a fairytale.

"I'm Ameera Calypse," I replied, shaking his hand. 

"You know, you're like a star," I blurted out before I could stop myself. It was true, he had this glow, something magnetic that I couldn't quite understand.

"I am! The greatest star in the whole world!" he said, flashing a confident grin.

"Wow, ang laki ng pangarap mo!" I teased, laughing for the first time in what felt like forever. He laughed too, and it was like the tension between us just... vanished. What was left was the start of something new-something I couldn't quite name but didn't want to end.

And so we walked, side by side, the rain outside forgotten, with a new kind of warmth building between us.

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