Loving Him (Soul Mate Series Book 1)

First Conversation Up Close and Personal

The rain drops are falling hard on our roof and the cold air woke me up. I stretched my arms searching for my blanket and I can't reach it. So I opened my eyes and looked for it. Then I realized its morning already. I still want to sleep more because of the weather but I have no choice but to drag myself off my bed and get ready for school.

Hayzt... Ang lamig! Gusto ko pang matulog!

When I opened the faucet, malamig na malamig na tubig ang dumaloy mula dito. Umi-echo pa sa loob ng bathroom. Sabayan pa ng malamig na hanging pumapasok galing sa maliit ng bintana. Halos ayaw kong maligo. Parang gusto kong lumabas ulet para mag-pakulo ng tubig. But since ready na din naman akong maligo kaya...

"Laaaaammmmmiiiiggggggg!" I needed to catch my breath because of the cold water.

*****

Nag-aantay ako sa may pintuan. It's raining hard still.

*beep*

Jake: Are you still home Louisse? Ang lakas ng ulan eh. Sunduin kita?

Me: Andito ako sa may waiting shed ng boarding house. Inaantay ko kahit konti humina manlang ulan para makaalis. Saan ka banda? Baka ma-late ka pa if dadaan ka pa dito.

Jake: Naglalakad na ko dito sa street nyo. Wait for me there.

I decided not to reply and tried to hide my smile. Any moment andito na sya, I don't want him to see my excitement. Feeling ko kinikilig ako sa kanya.

*****

Ever since that particular lunch break, we became close. I mean, very close. That day was a different one. It's so much different from our many lunch breaks with the barkada. It's in the same cafe where usually, si Donald ang tumatabi sakin para mag-pa-cute at mangulit. But that day, nakipag-unahan si Jake na tumabi sakin.

Expected ko, we had the time to talk and the chance to know each other more. But he was just sitting there just like previous days, but the difference is he is looking at me every time he speak. A punch line or comment as an answer. He didn't just look at me but he looked into my eyes. As if he's searching deep into mine.

Yan ba paraan mo para makilala mo ko? Are you sending me signals? Kasi, affected ako.

Para akong matutunaw every time ginagawa nya yun sakin. My heart beat faster, and as if I can't breathe. Or I just held my breath sa ganung situation. But then, every time na nararamdaman ko yun, I tried so hard to dismiss what I'm feeling. Because I know, crush nya si Lovely.

*****

Yes, si Lovely. Hayzt...

"Louisse." Jake whispered at my ear.

Wait, kanina pa kaya sya sa tabi ko? Di ko man lang napansin na dumating sya. I did it again? Just as always Louisse, daydreaming? Cut it out!

"I'm sorry, kanina ka pa dumating?" I asked and tried to compose myself.

"Ahhhh... Yes? Kanina pa nga kita tinititigan eh. Parang katawan mo lang ang kaharap ko at nasa ibang lugar ang kaluluwa mo." Natatawa nyang sinabi.

"Ganun ba? OO minsan ganyan ako pag tulad nito, nag-iintay humupa ang ulan at wala naman akong kasama. Madalas akong nag-de-daydream." Dinaanan ko na lang sa pag-ngiti.