MY LOVELY STRANGER

CHAPTER 25: A door to his life

HOME.

I was somewhat puzzled and irritated as I looked at Tristan.

I'm standing outside my house now and he's here with me, as if waiting for me to invite him in.

Ang kulit kulit nya. I told him I will go home alone but he insisted to come.

"Pwede ka nang umuwi" sabi ko.

"Yes. Get in now" namulsa nya.

I gave him one last look before going inside the house. I locked the door. Naglakad ako papunta sa bintana at hinawi ang kurtina para silipin sya sa labas.

I only saw his back, walking away now.

Paano ako makakaiwas sa kanya kung ganitong lapit sya ng lapit sa'kin? 😩

~~❤

The next day.

Maaga akong nakarating sa university. I have plenty of time before the class begins so I took a notebook from my bag and starts reading.

Kakaunti palang ang mga estudyante sa room at wala pa rin si Tristan.

"Excuse me, Miss Henares, hinahanap ka ni Xyerah." pukaw sa'kin ng isang classmate ko.

Tiningnan ko sya at itinuro nya ang pintuan.

There stood Xyerah, kumaway sya sakin.

I looked at her with suspicion. I don't want to go near her but I guess I don't have a choice. Tumayo ako at lumapit sa kanya.

She grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me up the stairs hanggang sa makarating kami sa rooftop.

I am silently following her, not wanting to make a scene.

Binitawan nya ako pag akyat namin.

"You" she looked at me. "Do you like Tristan? Kayo na ba?"

Her eyes were so fierce.

"Tell me honestly"

"Wala akong gusto sa kanya. Yun ba ang gusto mong marinig?" sagot ko sa kanya.

Nagsalubong ang kilay nya.

"Liar!" she yelled at me.

I tried to stay calm kahit nagsisimula na naman akong mainis sa kanya.

"You asked for an honest answer. I already told you." I crossed my arms. "Bakit, ikaw, may gusto ka ba sa kanya?"

She looked at me, eyes still dark with anger. Then looked away. She took a deep breath.

"He's not my type" mahina nyang sabi. "But it's not like I have a choice."

Nagtaka ako sa sinabi nya. I saw her eyes became a little teary. Or maybe that's just my imagination. She looked back at me, her anger hasn't ceased yet.

"Do you hate me?" tanong nya.

"I don't" I answered.  "I just don't like seeing you."

"It's the same, you dummy" she glared at me. "Well I hate you too."

Before I can say anything, she started walking pass me and left me at the rooftop.

Bumaba na rin ako at bumalik sa classroom.

I reached my seat and I continued reading notes.

Ilang saglit pa ay dumating si Tristan. Huminto sya sa tapat ng desk ko. I ignored him.

He stood there for some seconds then he grabbed my chin. Making me look at him.

"Ano ba?" inis na sabi ko.

He just smiled and winked at me. "Good morning"

"Good morning naman" hinawi ko ang kamay nya.

"Sabay tayong maglunch." yun lang at iniwan na nya ako.

Nilingon ko sya. It sounded like an order, rather than an invitation. Hindi na ako umimik nang makitang nakipag usap sya sa isa naming classmate.

Lumingon sya sakin at pinukol ko sya ng masamang tingin. To my surprise, he wink.

What a dude!

I went back reading mg notes hanggang sa dumating na ang Prof at nagsimula na ang klase.

~~❤

"Let's go" inilahad nya ang kamay nya sa tapat ng mesa ko pagsapit ng lunchtime.

Tiningnan ko yun at tumingin ako sa muka nya. Iniligpit ko ang mga gamit na nasa desk at inilagay yun sa bag ko.

He looked at his hand and slowly put it inside his pocket. He chuckled.

"Hey" he said.

"Bakit?" tumayo na ako.

"Hurry up" he said with a blank expression on his face.

Tinaasan ko sya ng kilay. "Aba, demanding ka pa" binitbit ko na ang bag ko at sabay kaming lumabas ng classroom.

Nauuna akong maglakad kaya tinahak ko ang daan papunta sa canteen nang makababa kami ng hagdan.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me to the other side, papunta sa campus ground.

"This way" mabilis ang lakad nya, napilitan akong magmadali din.

"Saan mo ba ako dadalhin?" nagtatakang tanong ko.  "Hoy, ayaw kong magcut ng klase ha!"

"Just shut your mouth" he said while we take the path outside the gate of the university.

Katanghaliang tapat, sobrang init tapos naisip nya pang maglakwatsa!

Huminto sya sa paglalakad at nilingon ako. "Mainit pala"

Hinubad nya ang jacket na suot nya at ipinatong sa ulo ko.

"Ano ba kasing gusto mong kainin at kailangan mo pa akong kaladkarin?" inayos ko ang jacket sa ulo ko.

"Secret" sabi nya.

I was more surprised when he took me to the cafe where I work.

"Good afternoon" sabi ni Manager nang makapasok kami. Nakangiti sya.

"Mama, ready na ba yung foods namin?" sabi ni Tristan.

Mama?!

Hindi ako nainform. Bakit ganun?

"Ready na iho. Bakit naman sumugod pa kayo? Ipapahatid ko nalang sana sa school"

I was still in shock. Ano bang nangyayari? Hindi ko maintindihan..

Tristan led me to the Kitchen. Malawak ang kitchen ng cafe, may malaking mesa at dun kami kumakain.

Ipinaghanda na kami ng manager ng makakain.

"Miss ko na ang luto nyo. Matagal na kong di kumakain nito" Tristan said.

"Sabi ko naman sa'yo nak, anytime pwede kang magrequest, ipagluluto pa rin kita" sabi ni Ma'am Cristy, (manager)

"Sandali lang" I managed to speak. "Mag nanay kayo?"

They both looked at me.

"Kumain ka na. Wala tayong maraming time. The best ang luto ni Mama Cristy. Try mo" sabi ni Tristan sakin at nilagyan ng kanin at adobong manok ang plato ko.

Ma'am Cristy just smiled at me.