One Last Time

Kabanata III: PURSUING HIM

Pursuing Him.
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"HELLO handsome."

Nakangising bungad ko pagkatapos kong tumigil sa harapan ng table kung saan siya nakaupo. Mag-isa lang siya sa table, bagay na mas ikinatuwa ko.

"What do you want from me, Yturralde?" Apart from his low and firm tone, he's giving me an icy glare.

"Nothing..." I shook my head. Itinukod ko ang mga kamay ko sa ibabaw ng table sa harapan niya. I wandered my eyes around the library. I didn't come here to research, but to follow him. And because I'm the only student standing inside, agad akong napansin ng librarian na nag-iikot sa loob.

"Yes, Ms.Yturralde?" Nakaarko ang isa sa manipis niyang mga kilay na lumapit sa'kin habang binababa niya ang suot na salamin sa mata.

"Mukhang tapos ka na sa research mo, Ms. Yturralde. Maaari ka nang bumalik sa susunod mong klase..." Bumaba ang tingin niya kay Levi na busy sa ginagawa. "Kaysa manggulo ka ng ibang estudyante rito."

"Actually, Mrs. Ciriaco...kararating ko lang po. I'm here to work on a research project with Deogracias. Isn't that right?" I glanced at Levi, but he didn't glance back at me. Umingos ako at muling hinarap ang librarian. "It looks like my partner is already doing some research. We'll appreciate it if you could please excuse us, Mrs. Ciriaco..."

Narinig ko ang pagsinghap ni Mrs. Ciriaco bago siya nagsalita. "I'm watching you, Ms. Yturralde. I hope you will behave while you are inside this library."

I feigned a smile. "Wala pong problema. I won't be making any noise that will bother anyone."

Isang nagbabantang tingin ang iniwan sa'kin ng librarian bago ito tumalikod at bumalik sa pwesto nito kanina.

I returned my eyes to Levi and sat down next to him. "Congratulations. I heard you got a perfect score in the final—"

"Kailan ka ba talaga titigil? I don't like the idea na lapit ka nang lapit sa'kin." Malamig na putol niya sa'kin habang nagsusulat sa kanyang binder.

"Well...I really like the thought that I'm with you all the time though," I chuckled, ignoring his words.

Levi's brows knitted together, and I couldn't help but admire that expression. Gwapo na siya, pero kung ngingiti siya sa'kin ngayon ay lalo pa siyang ga-gwapo.

"Huwag kang magulo." Levi moved slightly away from me after I squeezed myself to his side. Mariing nakapinid ang kanyang mga labi, halatang pinipigilan ang sarili na sigawan ako.

I do this everyday at araw-araw naman siyang napipikon sa pagsunod ko. Kulang na lang ay maging anino niya ako sa kakasunod ko sa kanya. Despite his harsh treatment towards me, I persisted. I don't care. I like the idea of being near him.

"Quit staring," he said in a serious voice before returning his attention to the book he's reading.

Umingos ako kahit hindi naman niya 'yon nakikita. Umayos ako nang upo at pinasadahan ng daliri ang dulo ng buhok ko.

"Malapit na ang Foundation Day ng university. Do you already have a date for the ball?" I tried to capture his gaze, pero hindi siya nagpahuli.

"Hindi ko alam. Busy kami sa thesis."

"But all the students are required to attend. Kasali nga lahat ng department," I persuaded.

"Yturralde, please...just this once, leave me alone. As a graduating student, this thesis is really important to me. Just let me focus on my research because I really need to finish it now," sumusukong pakiusap niya sa'kin, nagpapahayag na malapit nang maubos ang pasensya niya.