Monster University (Completed)

Chapter 8

KIDS are running, shouting, and laughing all over the place. Families have set up their picnic mat on the ground under the tree. There's a lovey-dovey couple sitting on one of the long wooden chairs at the left side from where I'm sitting.

There are also carts selling cotton candies, ice cream, balloons, sandwiches, and much more, which you can at least buy one of those if you have ten pesos in your pocket.

The sun is already up so bright. It's nine in the morning and I don't have any place to go. So, my feet dragged me here in the park. I runaway-not a real runaway, but more on buying time. Kailangan ko lang palipasin ang oras hanggang sa makaalis si Colton sa bahay. Hindi niya naman siguro ako hihintayin do'n hanggang gabi. And I left a note for mom on my study table, so she'll know that I'm fine and that I just need to breathe.

Tumakas ako mula do'n sa bintana ng kuwarto ko sa likurang bahagi ng bahay. Hindi ko ginawa 'to dahil wala akong pakialam kung ma-bankrupt kami. I just need more time to think and sort things out. Masiyadong mabilis ang mga pangyayari at nahihirapan ang buong sistema kong i-absorb ang lahat nang 'yon nang sabay-sabay.

I heaved a deep sigh, again, again, and again. I already lost count how many times I've let out a sigh. Hoping after one would give me an answer on how to solve this problem.

A guy with light brown hair color, around 178 cm, wearing a pleasing red cashmere sweater that matches his black maong pants, and a pair of black sneakers is approaching from my left. Simple. He dresses so simply yet there's something in him that I can't figure out. I also feel weird dahil nakatingin lang siya sa akin habang naglalakad siya palapit sa 'kin.

He stopped in front of me, so I had to look up to meet his dark brown eyes.

"Hi!" His voice is very cheerful and ... friendly. It doesn't sound like he just forced to make it sound like that. It's genuine so I had to greet back.

He sat next to me,-on my left side. Ngayong magkalapit na kami, nakikita kong parang magka-edad lang kami at masiyadong cute ang mukha niya para sa isang lalaki. He has this thick eyelashes, round eyes, and red lips. And I can even smell the soothing citrus smell of his perfume. I don't like citrus perfume, but his smell is oddly acceptable. If he would be a girl, I bet he'll be one of those famous beautiful gals in the campus.

"By the way, I'm Exe, not your ex but yeah ... Exe like the letter X." He gestured his hand forward for a handshake.

"Eri." I said and accepted his hand. Nakaramdam ako ng kakaibang kilabot nang dumampi ang palad ko sa palad niya. I felt something warm like it's getting hotter. Kaya agad ko 'yong binawi sa kanya bago pa man ako tuluyang mapaso. He looked at me like there's nothing wrong so I forced a smile. "I need to go. It's nice meeting you." I know he's not normal, but my head is trying to convince me that I'm just being paranoid.

"It's really you, aegis." He said.

He stood up and smiled. Yung kaninang cheerful at friendly niyang boses, tila napalitan bigla ng nakakapangilabot na pakiramdam.

Hindi ko na siya pinansin. Nagmadali na akong maglakad palayo sa kanya, palayo sa park. Hindi ko alam kung saan na ako dinadala ng mga paa ko. Hindi ko alam ang pasikot-sikot sa Brixton kaya siguradong maliligaw ako. But I don't care. Pakiramdam ko may mga matang nakatingin na naman sa 'kin. Pakiramdam ko merong sumusunod sa 'kin. But I'm sure it's different this time. Si Exe kaya 'yon? Sinusundan niya ba 'ko?

Lumingon ako sa likuran ko pero hindi ko nakita si Exe. But what bothers me more? I know it's the same guy standing behind the tree outside our house's fence. He's wearing a black hoodie jacket pero hindi ko pa rin makita ang mukha niya. I'm busy running away as fast as I could.

Lumiko ako sa hindi ko alam kung saan papuntang daanan. Gusto ko lang maglakad nang maglakad dahil hindi pa rin ako nilulubayan ng pakiramdam na parang may sumusunod sa 'kin.

Napadpad ako sa masikip na eskinita na may nagtataasang harang sa magkabilang parte. No one else is walking on this alley and I feel even weirder to make a single step. Tumingin ako sa unahan at masiyadong mahaba ang alley na 'to para pasukin 'ko. Kaya ang mas mabuting gawin ay bumalik sa dinaanan ko kanina.

When I turn around, something or someone with towering height blocked my way. Nakaharap ako sa likuran niya at naamoy ko ang sweet scent ng pabangong gamit niya. It smells like strawberry.

Nang tingalain ko siya, biglang nag-flashback sa utak ko ang lalaki sa panaginip ko. Alpha? How could it be possible?! Bakit pa ba ako nagtataka? Totoo ang Stermon, si Colton ... pero nakakagulat pa rin na pati siya totoo rin pala at hindi lang likha ng panaginip ko.

"You better hurry up. She's still so much available. Baka maunahan ka."

Napatingin ako sa unahan dahil pamilyar ang boses na 'yon. Sumilip ako sa likuran ng lalaking nasa harapan ko at nakita ko si Exe. My eyes widened when I saw his eyes. Hindi na 'yon dark brown, kundi yellow na. He looked at me and smiled before he left.

What was that? Ano siya?! I'm lost of words. Nababaliw na ba talaga ako? Kung ano-ano na kasi ang nakikita ko.

"Are you okay?"

His deep but soothing voice confirmed that he's that guy from my dream. I had to hold my chest when I suddenly feel like my heart is going to burst any minute now. I could even hear its own loud beating. At sana hindi niya naririnig 'yon.

His eyes are dark red. It's black but it has a mix of red. It's just so beautiful and it's looking at me. Kakulay ng mga mata niya ang buhok niya. Ibang-iba 'yon sa kulay gray niyang buhok sa panaginip ko. But just like the first time I've seen him in my dream, I have this familiar feeling towards him, like I've known him before.

"Y-You ... h-have we met before?" I finally managed to ask.

Alam kong hindi siya normal. Umalis si Exe kanina na parang takot sa kanya. Peculiarly, I don't feel scared at him. Yes, this is freaking me out, but his presence is ... comforting me.

"I think so." He answered before he grabbed my hand.

----------†----------

Sweet dreams, my love.
To be continued ...

*Not a pro. Sure there's a lot of mistakes. Please point it out for me. Your comments and vote will be very much appreciated. Thanks a ton :)*