Amaranth ( the unfading flower)

Chapter 5 HIM

I tried. I really tried to stay away from him...from them. I get this weird feeling everytime he's around that i cannot explain. I'm curious. Of him. Of how he catch too much of my attention. Of how i feel. Of how he feels. Everything. Napakasimpleng ngiti lang. Ano bang magagawa sakin na masama ng isang simpleng ngiti?

Staying away from him is way possible. So i give up. Classmate ko sya so . . .wala talaga eh.

"Hoi! "

"AIXT PESTE!" Oh crap! Aatakihin yata ako sa puso."Don't go sneaking at me like that. "

"Lagi ka kasi tulala.Any problem?" Ikaw! I want to voice out. Pero syempre hindi ko nagawa. I hate explaining myself. It just complicate things.

"Wala naman." Sumandal ulit ako sa puno. Katatapos lang ng klase ko sa Bio. Matagal pa ang next subject ko.Gusto ko lang sana matulog.

"You seem nice pero bakit hindi ka nakikihalubilo sa iba? Go have friends." Nakakatakot parin kasi magtiwala." Loosen up a bit. Two months ka na dito pero mukang si Dylan lang ang kaibigan mo." For many years si Duke Sebastian lang at Daffodil ang nakalakihan ko. Hindi ako sanay sa maraming tao.

"I don't socialize with other people. Baka hindi nila ako magustuhan." It's true.Nagsawa na ako sa critism. "Okay na ako sa na kayo lang ang kaibigan ko." His face lightened up a bit. Oh no! Not again. I covered my face with the book i'm reading. Ayoko sa ngiti nya.

"Really?" I nodded without looking at him. Book still covering me. " I thought we we're just acquaintances." Umupo ako ng maayos. I watch as students pass by.

"If we're not friends,what is it more than just an acquaintant? " He agreed. He did'nt say a word but i know agreed.We sit silently for a while. Absorbing the idea of what i said.

"So,sino kapartner mo sa thesis natin sa Bio?" Pag-iiba nya usap. We have to make a research paper about plants. It's necessary for me,but for him as a photographer. . .i, don't think so. Kung naguguluhan kayo sa set up ng mga subjects( courses) ako din. Free ka kasi pumili ng subjects as long as kaya ng time mo and complete din and subjects na required for your course. kumbaga dagdag stress lang sa sarili mo. EWan magulo. Hayaan nyo gagawan ko ng special report yan para sa inyo hehe.

"If you're taking up photography,bakit kumuha ka pa ng subject na to?" Nakakapagtaka naman na kailangan nya pag-aralan to. Bio is one of my major subject. Hindi lang basta organic or living things ang pinag-aaralan namin kung hindi family of plants.

"I. . .i want to know many things about it." Tinignan ko lang sya habang naghihintay ng mas kapani-paniwalang sagot.

"Then? . . ." I said trying to extract more reasons.

"My mother is. . .was a Botanist. He smiled. A bitter smile.Napakalayo ng tingin nya. Para bang doon nangangaling ang mga sinasabi nya. "But she's gone. My father said she died on an accident going to Europe when i was eight .It's my fault she died. I know i should be the one to blame.I was so selfish,i was so. . ." He trailed off.

"Sorry " That's all i could say after hearing it. Ayoko manghimasok sa buhay nya.It must have been hard for him. With all the blame he puts to himself. Kahit di ko alam ang buong kwento, halata sa mukha nya na malungkot sya.

"For what? "

"For asking. I did'nt know it's that personal." He looked away. All i can see is the lining of his forehead to his eyes to his nose. . .to his lips.

"Saturday,8 am. Meet me here. And bring your camera with you." I said then stood up. " I'll be your partner." I was hoping for a smile. Kahit ngiti lang ang isagot nya. But he looked down.