Dreamed Love Story

28. His POV

"Where are you?" I've been repeating the same question in my head for quite some time now. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan si Hope, plus she is not answering her phone. Nag-aalala na ako. Baka ano ng nangyari sa kanya.

As far as I remember, mamayang 4:30 pa ang klase niya. I know her schedule. It may seem like I'm her stalker, pero kumuha na ako ng kopya mula noong ginabi siyang umuwi. I don't want to be that worried again.

I texted Shaira and asked if Hope is with her. Maybe she spent time with her bestfriend. Pero ng mag-reply si Shaira at sinabing hindi sila magkasama, mas lalo akong nag-alala.

Nilibot ko ang buong school sa paghahanap sa kanya. Pumunta ako sa room ng susunod niyang klase para tingan kung nandoon na siya. I also went to the cafeteria to check, but she's not there.

Tumigil ako sandali at nag-isip. If she's not on those places, where could she be? Isa na lang ang lugar na hindi ko pa napupuntahan. Maybe she's there.

On the way to the library, napatigil ako ng mapadaan ako sa lugar kung saan nasalo ko siya nung muntik na siyang matumba. It's that first day of class, probably the happiest one I've got.

Bawat opening ng school year, tinatamad akong pumasok. Yung tipong gusto ko pang mag-extend ng bakasyon. But then, wala ka ng magagawa. You should go to school already, wether you like it or not.

I was walking toward the auditorium when I saw her. Napangiti ako dahil sa kanya. She looks beautiful. Her smiling eyes full of playfulness, but she looks so innocent. She is arguing and laughing with her bestfriend.

I wanted to aproach her. Talk to her. Tell her everything. All those things I've kept hidden through the years. Pero di ko magawa. As usual, I'm scared. Pagdating sa kanya, marami akong kinakatakutan. Things I can't imgine I would fear.

I saw her smiling. It's already enough. Bahagya akong lumapit sa kanila para makita siya sa malapitan.

Nang makalapit sa kanila, I saw her tripped. I immediately grabbed her waist to prevent her from falling. Kung mahuhulog man siya, sa akin lang dapat yun, not on anything else.

My heart beated faster when she hugged me. Is this a reward for saving her? Masama mang pakinggan, pero sana araw-araw siyang matapilok at araw-araw ko din siyang sasaluhin. Bakla mang pakinggan, but this is heaven. It is the very first time I got this close with her.

I inwardly cleared my throat and told her.

"A simple thank you would be enough. No need to hug me to show your gratitude..." Though I'm loving every bit of it.

She immediately pulled herself away from me. I badly wanted to pull her back into my arms, but I don't want to scare her.

I smiled and started to walk away. What a marvelous way to start my day and my school year. Napasuntok pa ako sa hangin dahil sa tuwa.

The orientation is ongoing but here I am, scanning people's faces in this hall. Di nagtagal at nakita ko silang dalawa. Nasa harapan ko sila nakapuwesto, three rows away from me.

I looked at her. Nakangiti siya habang nakikinig sa dean, probably listening well to the speaker. Lumingon siya sa gawi ko, and I immediately shifted my gaze.

Napatingin ako sa katabi ko. He is subtly laughing at me. I just don't know what's funny. It's my annoying cousin, Justin. We decided to go to the same school, but took up different courses.

"Why are you laughing?" Mahina kong tanong.

"Couz, you look gay." He balled his fist and covered his mouth to laugh his ass out.

"What?! Gay?!" Naiinis kong tanong.

"Tumingin lang siya sa gawi natin, namumula ka na? You're not even sure that she saw you."

"Ako namumula? And who are you talking about?" Nakakunot-noong tanong ko sa kanya.

"Come on, Blake." He patted my shoulder before continuing to speak. "We've known each other since toddlers. I even know the brands you use. From body spray to aftershave to clothes, even to underwears." He whispered the last three words.

"Do you really think you could hide anything from me? Try harder, Blake." Nakangising wika ni Justin.

"Hell, couz. You're creepy." Nakangiwi kong sagot. "Wala akong tinatago. Guni-guni mo lang yun."

"Really? Then what about her pictures you saved from her facebook account? That's what you call creepy, I think."

Agad akong napatingin sa kanya.

"How did you know that?!" Gulat kong tanong.

"Whatever, Blake. Basta ang masasabi ko lang, wala sa dugo natin ang pagiging torpe. Go on."

I just looked at him unbelievably. Nang hindi ako sumagot, nagpatuloy siya sa pagsasalita.

"And one more thing I know, she's taking the same course as you."

Tuluyan ng nawala ang atensyon ko sa nagsasalita at tumingin ng seryoso kay Justin.

"Is it true?"

"Hell, yeah. So make your move now, Blake. Before it's too late."

Nanatili akong lutang sa buong orientation. Namalayan ko na lang na tapos na iyon, at pinapapunta na kami sa aming classroom. Tiningnan ko ang pwesto nila kanina at wala na sila dun. Even Justin had already left.

Dali-dali akong pumunta ng classroom. Tama nga ako, medyo late na ako. The peofessor asked me, and I introduced myself.

"B, here."

I heard Janine's voice and I turned to her direction. Ngumiti ako sa kanya at lumapit na sa pwesto niya. When I saw who is beside Janine, I stiffened a bit. Justin is not bluffing when he said she is taking the same course with me.

"Thanks, J. I owe you." BIG TIME.

Nung bumaling ako sa kanya, nginitian ko siya.

"Hi. So, we're classmates?"

She smiled and answered. "Yes, I guess." There was slight annoyance in her tone, like saying it's so obvious yet I'm asking it.

"What a pretty coincidence. We are destined, maybe?" Ngumiti ako sa kanya. "What's your name?"

"Mendoza."

"Nah. Too formal. First name?"

"Desiree."

"A beautiful name for a pretty lady. It's nice to see you again." Hope.

I've already decided. I would take this chance. I would take this shot. I promise, she would be mine. No one can stop me. I'll make her go crazy over me, just like what she did to me.

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A/N: So, how was it? Mind to share what you think, guys? It would be a very big help.
PS: Sorry for the long wait.