Charming Prince Charming

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I slightly rubbed my wrist as I proofread my work. Kanina pa 'to nangangalay dahil sa tuloy-tuloy kong pagta-type, pero binalewala ko lang muna. I just wanted this assignment to be over and done with. After a little polishing, I let out a sigh of relief and copied it on my flashdrive before sending it to my prof's e-mail. Yes, I also compiled my works for future references.

I checked the time on my wristwatch and hastily grabbed my stuffs when I realized I just had 10 minutes before my next class. Malayo-layo pa ang building ko from the library, and I couldn't be late--again.

Pero kahit pa yata tumakbo ako--which of course I wouldn't do, just to reach my classroom on time,  late pa rin ako. So yeah, I don't really think it's my fault that our library is way too far from  the CBA building.
Kung bakit naman kasi 'di sila gumawa ng library per department. This school could really afford it, but I don't know what's with the admin. I mean, I sometimes think they just want to make things hard for us, especially for me.

I was already 5 minutes late when I reached our classroom, and Ma'am Ramirez, our Sociology prof had already started her lecture.

I put on my sweetest smile and greeted her. Napatigil naman ito saglit at binati rin ako.
I silently thanked God she's not as strict as the others,  else, I'd be so dead.

Pumunta na ako sa seat ko and I instantly rolled my eyes when it landed on my so-called seatmate. Nakatingin lang ito sa labas as usual dahil sa may window ang pwesto nito.
I sometimes wonder ba't pa ito pumapasok kung 'di naman ito nakikinig sa lectures. It's just a waste of seat.
I pulled out my notepad and my pen at umayos ng upo para makinig na kay Ma'am Ramirez. I could say I'm a bit grade-conscious, though hindi masyadong halata sa itsura ko.

"Pumasok ka pa talaga."

Tumaas ang kilay ko at nilingon ang katabi ko. Nasa labas parin nakatuon ang atensyon niya like there's something or someone fascinating there. Had I not known better, I'd think he's talking to someone else, but no, based on that heavy sarcasm I heard,  it's definitely for me.

"Uh--yeah. Try telling it to yourself. It might work."

This time, nilingon na niya ako, and I  couldn't help but stare in  awe  when I was met with those deep, dark and hypnotizing orbs. Yeah, as much as I don't  like his guts, I have to admit he has the most mesmerizing eyes I've ever seen. It's like you'd just drown in their depths if they're directed at you.

The sides of his lips lifted a bit, but instead of answering, he just went back to what he was doing a while ago. That instantly brought me back to reality.
I rolled my eyes at ibinalik ang atensyon sa harapan. He's really irritating!

"Habit mo na ata ang magpa-late, bes!" Sabay kaming lumabas ng classroom ni Jen pagkatapos ng subject. Magkaklase rin kasi kami sa next class namin.

Inayos ko ang pagkakasukbit ng bag ko sa kaliwang balikat habang bitbit sa isang kamay ang lappy ko.

"I did my Psyche research paper kasi." Napabuga ako ng hangin dahil naramdaman ko na ang init. Siksikan na sa hallway dahil halos sabay-sabay nagsilabasan ang mga students na papunta na rin sa next subjects nila. This is the scene almost everyday kaya kadalasan nagpapahuli na ako. I don't wanna smell bad when I get to my next class or to anywhere--no, I don't wanna stink at all. I mean, who would want to, right?
At least they could've installed A/C's here dahil nakakaperwisyo masyado. This could lead to crimes, really. Mainit na paligid means mainit na ulo, and mainit na ulo means kaunting kalabit lang ay pwede nang may manuntok. People should really think of the possible consequence of every situation at dapat ito agapan agad kung  problema man ang hatid nito. Kaya nagkakagulo ang mundo eh.

"'Di ba next week pa ang deadline nun? Ikaw na talaga!" Kita ko ang pagnguso nito mula sa peripheral vision ko. May Psyche din kasi ito ngayong sem at same lang kami ng prof, though magkaiba ang time namin.

"I can't be bugged with school stuffs this weekend, you know that." She shook her head and snorted.

"Yeah. Yeah. It's your "me-time"." I grinned at nilingon siya. Every weekend kasi, nagsa-shopping ako as a form of relaxation. It's like a reward to myself for surviving a long week of torture and as a prep for an upcoming one.

"Wanna go with me?" Nagmake face siya at bahagyang napahinto nang may nakabanggang babae.

"Naku, sorry!" Tipid itong ngumiti at nilagpasan lang kami. Oh. Buti hindi suplada unlike the others.

Binalingan  ako ni Jen at umiling.

"Can't. May family gathering kami sa Saturday eh." Minsan, ito ang kasama ko sa pagsa-shopping, pero madali kasi itong tamarin maglakad kaya kadalasan ay ako lang talaga. It's really not a problem for me dahil sanay naman na ako, though I could use a few comments from her on the stuffs I buy. Pranka kasi ito magsalita-kung hindi bagay sa'yo, she'd tell you straight away, and that's what I like about her.

It felt like years before we reached our next class, at sakto namang pagdating ng prof namin.

"Uuwi ka na?" Si Jen habang may kinukulikot sa bag niya. Tapos na ang last class namin for the day at naglakad na kami paalis ng CBA building.
As if on cue, my phone rang, so I immediately fished it out from my bag. I answered it instantly when I saw my Mom's number flashing on the screen. She mentioned something about family dinner kasi yesterday, so I assumed this must be it.

"Sweetie, are you coming home yet?" Agad na bungad nito sa akin. May narinig pa akong kaluskos sa background, and I heard some laughters. Visitors?

I thought it's just a family dinner?

"Yes, Mom. Kakatapos lang po ng class ko. Is Mang Rey on his way already?"
May kinausap siya sa kabilang linya indicating that she's a bit preoccupied with something.

"Oh, that's what I'm telling you, sweetie. Mang Rey's running some errands for your Dad, so he couldn't fetch you." Apologetic na saad nito.

So I'm gonna grab a taxi, then?
I sighed in understanding and nodded my head before I realized she couldn't see me.

"Okay Mom. Magta-taxi na lang po ako." Kinalabit ako ni Jen at may itinuro sa harapan namin kaya kunot-noong sinundan ko ito ng tingin.

"No, no sweetheart. You're coming with  Ezekiel."

And there he was-- leaning lazily on his car like he couldn't give a damn on anything.
Blanko lang siyang nakatingin sa harap na parang walang hinihintay. O meron nga ba?

Was he even informed that I'm going with him?

Tumigil ako ilang dipa mula sa kanya at agad napakunot ang noo niya nung makita ako.

"Una na ako bes." 'Di na hinintay ni Jen ang pagtango ko at mabilis pa sa alas-kwatrong umalis.  I sighed and directed my attention at the guy infront of me.

Tinaasan niya lang ako ng kilay at binuksan ang pinto ng driver's seat.

"Let's go." Tipid na saad niya at tuluyan nang pumasok sa loob. 'Di na ako nakapagtanong pa at umikot na rin para makapasok sa passenger's seat.

Agad niyang pinaandar ang sasakyan bago ko pa maayos ang seatbelt ko. Such a gentleman!