The Deadline

C h a p t e r F o u r

Chapter Four : Persistent

Lone

Monday morning, maaga akong gumising. I prepared as fast as I can to be early. Bumaba ako sa hagdan at bumungad sa akin ang kakagising ko lang na kapatid. I greeted him a morning at diretso akong kumain.

Maaga akong lumabas ng bahay at dumeretso kila Riddle. I knocked three times before he opened. He opened it revealing himself already wearing the school uniform. Ngumiti ako sa kanya.

"Good Morning, Rid." Bati ko sa kanya. Nagtatakang nakatingin ito sa akin. "What are you doing here?"

Pinasadahan ko siya ng isa pang ngiti. "You're going school today right? Tara sabay na tayo."

Binigyan niya lang ako ng isang hindi maipaliwanag na tingin. "No, mamaya pa pasok ko." Pagkatapos nun ay pinagsarhan na niya ako. Napakagat ako ng labi sa asar. Suplado talaga!

I smirked. Bahala ka, hindi kita titigilan!

Lunch time, wala sila Fran at Hera. I used that opportunity to make a move. Natanaw ko bigla si Rid na kumakain mag-isa sa corridor. Dali-dali akong dumeretso doon at umupo without asking his permission. Inilabas ko ang lunch box ko habang siya ay naramdaman kong nakatingin sakin. Tinignan ko rin siya revealing his annoyed look.

"Paupo lang. Wala akong kasabay eh.." Sabi ko sabay ngiti sa kanya. ".. friend."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "I don't need a friend, so find your own place."

"Sungit. Ayoko nga." Angal ko. Napatingin ako sa lunch box niya. "Anong ulam mo? Menudo? You know how to cook?"

"Leave." He seriously demanded. I ignored him. "Penge ako ulam."

"I. said. leave." He said angrily. I sighed. Fine!

"Okay, fine, fine.." Bigo kong sabi. But I shot him a grin."..pero don't think that I already give up!"

I left without seeing his reaction. Next morning ganoon parin ang nangyari. Hindi ko siya tinigilan. This time hindi ako umalis nang pinapaalis niya ako.

"C'mon, reply naman dyan." Nakangiti kong sambit sa kanya. Minsan nakakainis na rin hindi man lang ako kausapin!

He didn't replied as usual. But I can sense he's already done and annoyed in so many ways. I tried to ignore the fact that he's so aloof. But to my surprise, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me somewhere.

Nagulat ako sa pangyayari. I was about to ask but he interrupted my chance.

"How many times do I tell you to leave me alone? It's useless." Malamig niyang sagot sa akin. He's looking at me angrily na halos nagpatigil sa akin sa pagsagot sa tanong niya.

Huminga ako ng malalim atsaka nagsalita. "What are you talking about? There's nothing wrong in befriending you, Riddle."

He stared at be with a blank stare. "And you don't have to do that because I don't need that."

"I didn't say you need it. It's my decision!" I replied. Mas lalo ko nakita ang inis sa reaksyon niya.

"And my decision is not to fccking playing kids with you!" Matigas niyang sabi. "Leave me alone, it's useless for whatever you're trying to do because I don't care and will never give shts with that."

After that he removed his grip on my wrist. He was about to leave but did said something.

"Anyway, don't ever try to mess with my things." Walanggana nitong sabi. "I saw what you did there in my Journal."

He left me. Hindi man lang ako nakasagot sa mga sinabi niya.

Ano bang problema niya? Hindi ba siya masaya na may taong kusang lumalapit sa kanya para makipagkaibigan? Damm it!