Shut up, Jerk!

2. He's Back

He's Back

It's kind of awkward. All of us are already starting with our dinner. Mama and tita Victoria are talking like we didn't even exist around them. I was eating silently and Mark was sitting across mine. I never dared to look up and meet his eyes. And I could feel his gaze piercing on me.

I moved on my seat uncomfortably. Like what, it's been 8 years since the last time we've seen each other and he totally look so different. He's not the nerdy type of guy that I use to tease. Like, wow.

"So Katrine, let's talk about you." I looked at my left side and saw tita Victoria smiling, "Do you have any idea on what you'll take as a course in college?"

I shook my head as a response, "Wala pa po tita. I think it's a little early for me to think about it. Pwede ko naman po yun isipin kapag nasa gitna na ng semester."

"Okay, pero sana mas okay kung pareho kayo ng kukunin na course ni Mark. Ang hirap kasi nyang papiliin nung nasa America pa kami, though he's doing good in school naman, matagal nga lang sya mag decide sa isang bagay."

I stiffened when she said that, could I even survive kung sya ang makakasama ko sa college? I saw his smirk on the corner of my eyes, I looked at him and frowned. Hayy, he would never change talaga.

"I think mas maayos nga kung ganun. At least, hindi mahihirapan mag adjust sa school si Katrine." I looked at my mom like she's some kind of an unknown person to me. Ano ba itong pinapahiwatig ni mama? "When Mark left kasi, she had a hard time on having friends during her first day in school."

"Ma! What are you talking about? May friends naman kaya ako.." Mama chuckled cause I'm being protective of myself.

I heard another chuckle, I saw Mark chuckling because of mom's words. I facepalmed myself, don't tell me mag aassume tong lalakeng ito dahil sa sinabi ni mama?

"Ma, I'll just go out first. Kelangan ko muna ng hangin, nakakapagod kasi sa school." Mama gave me a disapproving look, "It's dark outside, baka kung ano pa ang mangyari sayo."

"Let her be, nakakapagod nga naman sa school since seniors na sila. Mark, you should go with her so that your tita will not worry." Tita Victoria motioned for Mark.

"Hindi na, baka may mangyari pa sa inyong dalawa. Ayoko din istorbohin si Mark-" Naputol ang dapat sasabihin ni mama nung tumayo si Mark.

"It's okay, tita. I'll go with her. Also, I need to digest the foods I ate. Nabusog po kasi ako sa mga niluto nyo." I looked at him in shock. Hala naman oh!

------

We were walking side by side on the street. I like the cool evening. Hindi kami nagpapansinan ni Mark since ... uhh, awkward pa talaga sa akin.

"So.. uhh, how's life?" Mark started a conversation. I looked at him with a rather surprised expression.

"... Good." Sabi ko, simply.

"Siguro masaya ka nung umalis ako noon.." Sobra. Kung alam mo lang, Mark.

After nung sinabi nya, wala na ulit nangyaring usapan. Pero hindi talaga napigilan ng bunganga kong bumuka at magsalita.

"How come you're not a nerd anymore? Got rid of those braces and thick glasses?" A playful smile came across Mark's face. And I knew that I just activated another side of his. His cocky side.

"Why? You find me cute back then, huh? I knew it, you're just teasing me so that I could notice you. Don't worry, you were noticed anyway." My jaw drop on his remark. I gave him an irritated look and humphed, pushing him lightly on his shoulder.