Caught in the middle

Chapter 16

Because of the stalker thing, sabay kami ni Joaquin kumain ng lunch ngayon. Tristan nor Sofia isn't around I wonder why?

I refused to tell my friends about this stalker of mine because I don't want them worried sick. Yun nga lang di ako pumasok kanina sa first subject parang lalamunin na nila ako eh

Pinagpaalam ako ni Joaquin sa mga kaibigan ko as he barged into our room. I was surprised about it and so as my friends but I let him.

When he got my friend's approval, he looked at Justine, head held high. Nagmalaki pa jusko!

We walked side by side, inch apart, we're heading to the... garden?

"Hey where are you heading?" I asked him, still puzzled.

He showed me his backpack then he smiled. Ok, di ko gets "Basta sumunod ka nalang jan lang tayo sa garden"

Truly, we went to the garden. We have this here in Arlington High, there were very tall trees and with their trunk is a round cement table. This is a perfect spot for reviewing or an escape in this tiresome school. There were also benches for two people aside from the bench for the tables.

I watched him as he placed tupperwares full of foods in the table. Kaming dalawa lang yung nandito and I like to think that he planned this.

The wind blew my hair it covered my whole face. Joaquin laughed at me then I glared at him. How could he laugh when I was so upset on how I look?

He held my arm and took away my ponytail. He motioned me to sit on the bench and so I did. He combed my hair using his bare hands. It sent shivers down my spine.

Inipitan niya ako gamit yung ponyail, I don't know how I look and I don't care but I like it because he did it to me. I was surprised by his move but I was more surprised about the way I felt but I shrugged it

"Much better" he smiled when he went to my front and look how his art was done

"Syempre gawa mo" I playfully rolled my eyes

"You look more beautiful when you tie your hair. Promise me you won't do it in front of anyone especially boys ha?" he sounded so concerned and bothered and here I am, confused. Maganda pala ako kapag nakatali e bakit ayaw niyang maging maganda ako? "Just when you're with me ok?"

"Luh bakit naman?"

"Basta!"

We continued talking until he's done preparing the food. I told him that I can help him out but he insisted "I should be the one doing this ok?" he also concluded "You're supposed to just wait and let me do the work, you're my princess" normally, I felt bad if I am served, kasi di naman ako lumpo, kaya ko naman but Joaquin has this affable charm I can't resist and I must admit that I like it when he's like this, ironically

When he was done, I took a look of the food and it caught my attention!

"Daing!"

He laughed at my reaction. I really do love daing above all, most especially Nanay's recipe, that's absolutely the best!

"Tama nga si Tita you'll be happy kapag ito yung hinain ko"

"Si Nanay?"

"Yup, actually she did that. Ako lang nagprito"

Agad akong humanda kumain after praying, Joaquin joined me as well. Si Joaquin ang naglagay ng kanin sa disposable plate sa harap ko, nang medyo marami na yung nilalagay niya I told him "Stop" pero di niya ako pinakinggan. He even asked "Diet ka ba? Di na kailangan nun!"