PULLED AT HIS STRINGS | Darren Espanto #3 (Spin-off)

Chapter Two

Chapter 2

Muse and Escort

"Blooming, ah!"

"Hindi naman," she shyly answered to our classmate who complimented her.

We were wearing our P.E. uniform but it's true, she's blooming. Walang kaso sa kanya ang medyo maluwang na shirt at P.E. pants na suot niya. Nakalugay siya at nagpupunas ng pawis sa mukha dahil katatapos naming sundan ang sayaw na itinuturo ng teacher namin.

Napatingin naman siya sa akin at saka ako pinaningkitan ng mga mata.

Why did it have to be me? Hindi lang naman ako ang nakatingin sa kanya, ah?

"Oh, bakit?" she asked.

I was surprised that she asked me. One week passed since classes started. Nakakasalamuha ko naman ang mga kaklase ko kahit papaano. At kung may napansin man ako, Sky wasn't that friendly at all. I mean, she's approachable and all but she won't be the first one to approach you.

"Masama ba na tignan ka?" I asked. Hindi ko alam kung tama o mali ba ang tanong ko. Basta pinanlakihan niya ako ng mga mata.

I think that's a wrong question based on her reaction.

"Hindi!" May kalakasan ang pagsagot niya. And then the next thing I know, she shouted at me. Sigaw na talaga kahit nasa room kami. "Huwag mo nga akong tignan!"

I chuckled before leaning to the wall next to me. Napatingin pa ang iba sa amin dahil sa pagsigaw niya.

"Blooming ka raw, e. Mapapatingin talaga ako."

Ngumuso ulit siya at umambang lalapit pero hindi niya itinuloy. Umamba rin siya na manununtok pero sa hangin na lamang siya napasuntok. Baka iniisip niya na ako 'yon.

"Inaasar mo lang ako, e!" Pagmamaktol niya.

I think I'm growing fond of teasing her. Parang ito kasi ang paraan para mapansin niya ako. Not that I was in dire need of her attention, but for a shrinking violet like her, it was actually an achievement for me to get her to talk.

"Hindi kaya," I rebutted.

"Oo kaya!" she insisted.

Ang kulit niya.

With the way she talked to me, I didn't see her as someone who is an introvert. Maybe something was depriving her from talking to us. But what would that be? Nothing can ever be enough to stop someone from befriending who he or she wants.

Ang daldal pa mandin niya, that's an ideal friend. She isn't even shy at all.

"Hindi nga," nakangiti kong sagot sa kanya.

She pouted even more. That's cute. She looks like a kid.

"Oo na nga lang." She gave up and lightly rolled her eyes on me.

"Edi sige," I laughed, a little. "Hindi ka na blooming, pangit ka nalang."

Namula siya sa sinabi ko at tuluyan na niya akong nilapitan at saka hinampas sa braso ko. I moved away but she followed... Sabay hampas muli. Crossing my arms in front of her wouldn't be a big help, alam ko na iyon naman ang susunod niyang tatamaan.

"Sa ganda kong ito?" pagtataray niya na may kasamang hampas.

God, her hands were quite heavy.

"Yeah, sure. You're pretty," I answered and did a little rolling of the eyes to appear like I was forced to tell what I told her so.

"Kainis!" Aniya at iniwan na ako.

Kulang nalang ay ibato niya sa akin lahat ng upuan sa classroom. Iyon kasi ang naaalala ko sa kanya. The very first time we met, nahampas na agad niya ako. Maybe she was really an Amazon.