SERAPHINA'S POV
Days past and I can't help but feel confused. Matagal na 'rin nung magkasama kami ni Thaddeus. Ang deadline naman nang project namin ay malapit na since napalitan ang deadline na imbis next month pa ay naging this month nalang dahil sa gipit rin na schedule namin.
Whenever na nasa classroom kami ni Thaddeus ay nararamdam ko ang nga intense na tingin niya saakin. May mga panahon ring nakikita ko siyang sumusulyap saakin.
While si Marco naman, we've been hanging out and everything seems different now. We've picked up right where we left of and have been spending more time together. It feels comforting with someone your familiar with. Pero habang lumalim ang samahan namin ni Marco, may mga kakaibang din si Thaddeus saming dalawa, kapag magkasama kami.
Thaddeus has always been a mysterious, cold guy I thought I'd never get close to. Pero sa mga late-night coding sessions nami, sa mga oras na sabay kaming nagkakape, and in the quite moments when it's just the two of us, i felt something change. He's opened up to me in small ways. And since bago pa si Marco dito sa school, napag decisionan ng professor namin na saamin nalang ilagay si Marco, and so kasama na namin siya mga coding sessions namin ni Thaddeus.
This particular friday afternoon, we decided to meet at the library to finalize our project. The rain was pouring outside, and the rhythmic sound of raindrops tapping the window added a calming vibe. This kind of weather that always makes me feel nostalgic.
I arrived first in the library and started setting my laptop. Not long after Thaddeus entered, looking a bit flustered with soaked hair sticking to his forehead.
“You okay?” tanong ko, trying to suppress my smile. “Mukhang naligo ka ng ulan ah”
He ran his hand through his wet hair and smirked. “Didn't expect to rain this hard and also forgot to bring my umbrella.”
I reached into my bag at kinuha ang small towel na palagi kong dinadala and gave it to him. “Here.” I handed it to him feeling a bit embarrassed, “Para hindi ka sipunin.”
Tinanggap niya ito, “You always carry a towel?” He teasingly asked.
"Habit ko na" I shrugged, trying to act casual, "You never know when you might need it."
He smiled, that rare gentle smile that made made my heart skipped a beat. “Thanks.”
Nang nakapwesto na si Thaddeus ay bigla namang dumating si Marco, bringing his usual energy. “Hey guys! Did you miss me?” He greeted with a wide grin at umupo sa tabi ko tsaka nilagay ang mga gamit niya.
Thaddeus glanced at him briefly, "You're late." Sabi ni Thaddeus.
Marco shurgged “Had to get something for miss beautiful here.” he pulled his backpack at may binigay saakin. "Ta-da, i remember no'ng sinabi mong nagca-crave ka ng chocolate cake so i got you one!"
My eyes lit up! Kanina pa kasi ako nagsasabi na i was craving a chocolate cake and I can't believe na bibilhan talaga pala ako ni Marco!
“Marco! You didn't have to! But thank you Marco!” i smiled as i took the bag, genuinely touch by the gesture na pinakita ni Marco.
Thaddeus lean back on his chair looking at both of us, “You remembered her cravings?” his voice was neutral, but there was an edge on it.
“Of course! Alam ko ang mga gusto ni Sera, right Sera?” I just chuckled awkwardly, nararamdaman ko ang tension saaming tatlo. “Yeahhh! Thanks Marco.” i said trying to ease the mood, “I'll eat it later nalang.”
Thaddeus said nothing, but his gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before he turned back to his laptop, fingers typing away faster than usual.
Habang nagtatrabaho na kami ay hindi ko mapigilang maramdaman ang tension nilang dalawa. They were both quite, typing there keyboard occasionally pero still throwing glancing at each other. I was stuck in between of some silent competition na hindi ko alam na nangyayari.
Habang nag rereview ako sa mga code ay palagi akong madaming mali at agad naman itong na noticed ni Thaddeus. "You missed a semicolon here." Sabi niya softly, his voice low.
"Oh thanks."I could feel my cheeks heat up rise in my face.
Si Marco naman ay tiningnan ang laptop ko. "Ang bilis mo mag code Sera, hinay hinay lang" he jokingly said.
"Maybe i am coding too fast, sorry guys haha." I laughed nervously, feel ko na talaga na pulang pula na ang mukha ko, palagi nalang ako nagkakamali sa mga codings ko.
Tiningna ni Thaddeus si Marco, saka niya ibinaling ang tingin niya saakin. "It's alright, irereview ko nalang 'yan." He offered, his voice was gentle but firm
Tumaas ang kilay ni Marco and smirking lighty. "Or i could do it Sera. You know I'll always have your back."
Tiningnan ko nalang silang dalawa, para ba silang mga bata na nag aagawan ng candy. "Ano ba ang nangyayari sainyong dalawa, ba't ba kayo nag aawa?" Sabi ko at tumawa para lang masira ang tensyon saknilang dalawa. "It's like you're competing over who gets to help me."
Thaddeus cleared his throat, looking away. “We’re just making sure you don’t make any more mistakes.”
Marco chuckled. “Yeah, sure. Let’s go with that.”
We continued working, but it was hard to focus. Marco kept making small jokes, trying to lighten the mood, but I could see Thaddeus’ jaw clench every time Marco leaned in too close or tried to make me laugh. It was distracting and… confusing.
“Hey, Sera,” Marco whispered, leaning closer again. “Gusto mo ba ng snack? I can go grab us something.”
"Sure, fries sound good,” I replied, giving him a thankful smile.
Marco stood up, but Thaddeus’ voice stopped him. “I’ll go. You stay here,” Thaddeus said, standing up as well.
Marco looked surprised. “No need, pare. I got it.”
Thaddeus gave him a tight smile. “It’s fine. I need a break anyway.”
The tension was thick as Thaddeus walked away. I sighed, rubbing my temples. “Ano bang nangyayari sa inyong dalawa?” I asked Marco, looking genuinely puzzled.
He just shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Nothing. Maybe he’s just not used to seeing you with other people?”
“Marco, seriously,” I said, lowering my voice. “Wala namang reason para magka-tension kayo, diba?”
Marco looked at me with a serious expression for the first time since he got back. “Maybe he likes you, Sera,” he said softly. “Maybe I do too.”
My heart skipped a beat. I looked away, pretending to focus on the screen in front of me. “Hindi ko alam, Marco,” I whispered.
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BINABASA MO ANG
Entangled Heart
RomanceSeraphina Grace and Thaddeus Voss have a tumultuous history that haunts them both. Once, they were close-until Thaddeus publicly humiliated her, breaking her heart in the process. Years later, they cross paths again, but this time, Thaddeus refuses...
