Why can't it be?

Chapter Three

Dismissal Time

Nagpaalam na siya sa mga kaibigan na kailangan niyang magpunta sa library para makapag-research tungkol sa assignment nila. Siyempre kokopya na lang sa kanya ang dalawa kaya't nagsi-uwian na ang mga ito.

Habang abala siya sa paghahanap ng mga librong kakailanganin ay bumangga siya sa isang matigas na tila pader dahilan upang mawalan siya ng balanse. Inakala niya na babagsak siya sa sahig kaya't napapikit siya, ngunit isang braso ang pumaikot sa kanyang bewang para di siya tuluyang matumba.

Nakapikit pa rin siya at nakatungo nang marinig niya magsalita ang kaharap. "Hey are you okay? I'm sorry, i didn't mean to hurt you."

Nang dumilat siya at tumingala sa kaharap ay bahagya pa siyang nagulat sa nakita at napaawang ang kanyang mga labi. It was her teacher whom she bumped into. She was stunned for a moment then after a couple of blinks, she was able to speak.

"I-It's  okay, i'm fine! I s-should be the one apologizing because i wasn't looking to where i was going." She said while stammering a bit.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Paninigurado nito.

"Yes! Ahmm don't worry." She answered.

They stared to each other for a moment. She can feel her heart beats faster than normal. Like anytime it will jump out from her ribcage.

"Let me help you find what you're looking for. What books do you need?" Tanong nito.

"Ahmm actually i'm here to do a research with regards to the assignment that you gave us."

"Oh! You're doing this for my subject?"

She gave him a slight nod and then smile shyly.

"Ok then. Here, read this one.. And also this one.. And this one too. Try reading this one too, so you can understand my next topic in advance." He paused and gave her a half smile. "So i guess i'll be expecting you to get a perfect score on your exam next week, Ms. Lewis?" He asked while his eyes were gleaming.

"I'll do my best Mr. Hayes."

"Good. I'll go ahead. Good luck then." He said then exited the room.

She was left standing while holding  the books he gave her. She cannot believe that they actually had a conversation and was able to look him in the eye. Finally she did it!

It was half past seven in the evening when she finished her research. She went out of the school gate and walk to the other side of the road to wait for a ride home.

Pagkalipas ng ilang minuto ay may humintong sasakyan sa kanyang  tapat. Nang bumaba ang salamin sa passenger side ay bahagya pa syang napaatras at akmang tatakbo pabalik sa gate ng SIU pero napahinto siya nang masilayan ang sakay na driver.

"Mr. Hayes! Kayo po pala." Gulat niyang sambit.

"Get inside the car Ms. Lewis. I'll take you home." Sabi nito at binuksan ang pintuan sa passenger side.

"Thank you but no thank you. I can manage to go home alone. May masasakyan pa naman po ako."

"Just get in. Delikado na ang bumiyahe ng magisa. And as far as i can see, mukhang walang dumadaan na pwede mong masakyan. Kung meron man ay siguradong punuan na. Kaya't ihahatid na kita." Pamimilit nito sakanya.

Sa huli ay pumayag na din siya dahil ang totoo ay gusto niya itong makasama. Papalampasin pa ba niya ang pagkakataon na to?

Sumakay na siya at nagsimula na nilang baybayin ang daan pauwi.

She can't help but to stare at the man beside him. Those deep brown eyes, thick eyebrows, pointed nose, luscious lips. Ah! That damn sexy lips taste sweet for sure! Then his broad chest looks hard and maybe it feels good to lean on it. And his muscled arms, oh how she longed to be embrace by those.