" He likes you. " I'm still hearing it every minute. Damn that Simon Thunder De Silva! I'm spacing out! Kanina pa! I can't even concentrate on our game! Every Wednesday is our P.E which is volleyball. I'm a bit good at this sport.
I was tying the lace in my shoe when Simon approached me before the game starts, I thought he would say good luck cause he often do it but now it's different. Instead of saying goodluck, he said something that makes me lose my focus in the game. We became friends after that incident in instant and it was the talk in our campus for almost two freaking months. And I'm not afraid to show my true color, my worst attitude as it's best. But it seemed that they don't mind so I was starting to feel safe and comfortable at them. My cousin Jana and Blue was cool with it. Para naman daw may bago akong friends bukod sa kanilang dalawa. I don't exactly know what reputation I had for me to be avoided and frightened by other students.
I let them bother me during our lunch breaks, we often eat out together. And sometimes I felt so awkward when Alexander is around cause he was just silent, listening to our rants to each other. And I don't see signs that he likes me! If it's true anyway. Baka pinagtitripan lang ako ng mokong nayun. He assumes that I like Alexander in Kuya Von's party! Like agad? Diba pweding na nabigla lang? He likes reading books all the time. He's very serious about his studies, he was smart as well. At halos hindi nga kami nagkakausap tapos gusto niya ako? Oh fudge! I shouldn't believe to that Simon! He likes to fool me whenever he got the chance. Nah! Nevermind.
In my existence, I've never dated someone. I've never had a boyfriend ever since. Why? Let's say that it doesn't occur in my mind yet, I am focused on my studies cause I can't be a failure to my family. And one more thing, my mom and Abuela are so strict. I am only allowed to hang out with guys if it's my cousin. That's all. I've witnessed how ate Dana's suitor suffered so much. And in this generation? I bet no guy could take my family's way of courting. And lastly, I've never like nor love someone. It excites me but every time I think how mess my life is, it's a no for now. And these three was an exception. My cousin Benedict approved them so I bet that they are good.
The game ended and I all got is a bruised in my cheeks. I was hit by our rival, it was my fault too cause that was supposed to be my rule to hit back the ball but because I was preoccupied, it hit in my face instead. Natumba pa nga ako sa lakas ng impact sakin. Dinaluhan naman agad ako ni Simon at Angelo. And I can't help but glare at Simon cause it was really his fault. He looked at me apologetically.
" Kanina ka pa wala sa sarili habang naglalaro ka Sam. Okay ka lang ba? " tanong sakin ni Angelo habang hawak niya ang cold compress sa pisngi ko. Habang wala ang salarin, bumili ng ointment para sa posibleng pasa sa pisngi ko. At si, si Alexander naman, nakatingin lang samin.
" Wala lang ako sa mood maglaro Gab. Tara na nga. Gusto ko ng magpalit. " sabi ko sabay tayo at agaw ng cold compress kay Gab. Nandito kami sa clinic, hindi naman ako malala so aalis na ako sa nurse na panay ang tanong kung okay lang ako. Natamaan lang ako ng bola, hindi nasagasaan. Tss.
We walked together, leading to the locker room. I want to freshen up so I decided to take a quick bath. I have spare clothes in my locker so I have nothing to worry about. I was wearing a white v-neck shirt top by our gray varsity jacket, blue jeans, and white sneakers. I just let my hair fall cause it's still wet and I'm ready to eat. Simon promjsed me earlier that he will treat me. Asan na ba yun? But when I stepped outside, he was alone and no trace of Simon and Gab. The Hell!
" Why are you here? " I asked him disorientedly. He raised his brows at me. He looks so bored as hell. He's right hand was inside his pockets and the other hand was holding a book. As always. But his eyes landed on my face down to my feet. And it gives me chills! Oh God! How I hate how the way he looked at me!
" Waiting for you? " he replied in a mocking tone. I am not comfortable with him actually. I can't explain why it's just that something's with him. Ang gulo na. Basta! Yun na yun!
" Asan ba sila? " I asked in a plain way. Na parang nagtatanong lang ako kung anong oras na. But truth was, I am trembling inside and I don't know why! Oh God! I hate his effect on me. But instead of anwering me, he started walking. Rude. But what's new! He was a little bit rude sometimes.
" Check your phone. " he suddenly said. Naguluhan pa ako pero kinuha ko yung phone ko. There are five messages but I only read Simon's text. Saying that he can't treat me right now cause he has an important thing to do. Same with Gab's text. Kami nalang muna daw ang kakain. Paano toh? Gutom na ako! At ayoko pang umuwi.
I just followed him until we reached the parking lot. I loathe them for having their own car cause mom won't buy me. Hinahatid lang ako ng driver. He was about to open the door when he stopped to look at me. Para kasi akong tanga na nakatayo lang, it's my first time to be with alone so I feel kinda, shy. And I'm pissed by the stares and murmurs of students who are now looking at us like we are celebrities. Tss. Pumasok na agad ako. And when we're settled, I can't help but ask him.
" So, tayo lang dalawa ang kakain? Pwede namang hindi na. Baka may gagawin ka pa. Uuwi nalang ak-- "
" It's okay. Gutom narin naman ako. " he said to cut me off. Okay. Shut up nalang ako. Fifteen minutes of driving, he brought me to an Italian restaurant. I flinched when he held my elbow to guide me inside. He chooses our table near to the glass window, he even pulled me a chair. Oh Alexis! Don't you dare blushed! The waiter came along to get ur order. But my forehead creased when I noticed a bouquet of pink tulips in our table. I look to the other to see if they had a flower too but I saw nothing. Nahiya naman akong magtanong sa waiter dahil baka may nakaiwan lang nito. I absent-mindedly grabbed to smell it as I close eyes. I really love the smell of flowers. But who would put it here? Alangan namang si , Alexander? Kasi imposible. Ang assumera ko pag ganun. He ordered pasta and pizza while I ordered Lasagna and burger. While waiting for our food, nireplayan ko yung mga nagmessage sakin, lalo na si mama. Hindi kasi ako nagpapasundo pag P.E namin. Habang siya naman nagbabasa ulit ng libro. Five minutes of waiting, our food came at natakam agad ako sa amoy palang.
I uttered a silent prayer, nakasanayan ko na kasi na magdasal bago kumain. Turo samin ni Abuela. And I saw him looking at me again! Tunaw na tunaw na ako kakatingin niya sakin! God! Nilantakan ko agad yung burger kasi paborito ko toh! And God! Ang sarap ng burger nila! Babalik-balikan ko toh dito! Promise! Matakaw akong kumain lalo na pag gutom ako, wala na akong pakialam sa paligid ko at ng tumingin ako sa kanya, nakangiti siya. Nakangiti siya!! May himala ba? Kasi hindi ko pa siya naktang ngumiti. Wow! Bagay pala sa kanya. First time toh. Parang ang rare lang niya ngumiti at tumawa. Imagine, the cold and emotionless Alexander Damon Monteverde just smiled. At me? Huh? But it fades right after I blink my eye.
" You don't eat pizza? " he asked right after. Umiling ako.
" I don't like pizza. " I said prankly. Ayoko ng pizza sa totoo lang! Ayoko sa lasa niya. Masarap lang siya tigna pero hindi siya masarap! I preferred burger. Binabash nga ako ng mga pinsan ko dahil ba't ayaw ko raw ng pizza. Kaya pag nagpapadeliver sila, sinasamahan nila ng burger dahil alam nilang hindi ako kumakain at hindi nila ako mapipilit kumain. He's lips rosed up again, like he was amused. Hindi ko alam.
" Do you, like the flowers? " he asked out of nowhere asIi met his intense eyes looking sternly at me. And it feels like I was enhcanted by those eyes of him cause I nod. And this time, he smile widely as he bite his lips. I looked away.
" Para sakin pala toh? " I stuttered while I asked him. He simply said yeah and I feel my cheeks heat. The fuck! I am blushing infront of him. Nakakahiya! Shit!
" Para, san naman toh? " I managed to say kahit na ang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko, namimilipit na ang tiyan ko at pinagpaoawisan na ako. Tang'ina!
" Because you caught my attention from the very start. I like you Alexis Samantha. Would you allow me to court you? "
And right after he confessed, namatay ako. Sa kilig. Sa kaba. Sa takot. Ang gulo. Pero kinilig parin ako.
Sashasunake; *
BINABASA MO ANG
Never Over You - Santillan Series I
Romance" He Chased Me, I Didn't Mind. He Gave Up, That Awakens Me. I Chased Him, But It's Too Late. And Now His Back As Cold As Ice, Would I Be Able To Handle The Pain? "
