Daylight

16

"You are dismissed." I immediately ran out of my class. Shoot, it's already 12:35 and I'm still at the Institute of Mathematics. I checked my phone and saw two unread messages. I'm so sorry.

From: Unknown Number
aight. See u there fam 🤙 -Juan
wru? im near the Filipiniana section.

I hastily typed out a reply.

To: Unknown Number
IM SO SORRY CLASX JUSR FINIDHED OMW

I really hate making other people wait for me. I pulled the string as the jeep passed by the library. I was just about to run up the stairs when I saw Juan making his way down as well. I stopped abruptly.

"Hey, kumain ka na?" he greeted. I pursed my lips. "Err, not yet really." My heart was still pounding hard after rushing to get here.

He started walking away. I followed suit, but asked him, "where are you going?"

"We," he corrected, "are going to Rodic's to eat."

I shook my head. "No. We can't talk about...it in there. Too many people."

"Edi takeout," he said nonchalantly.

"Juan..." I whined. He stopped walking and faced me. "You need to eat muna or else I'm going na. Your choice."

"Ugh, have I told you that you're stubborn?" I rolled my eyes but followed him anyway.

At Rodic's, he ordered two sizzling sisig with egg for take out. (I wondered at that moment if it's still going to be sizzling.) Juan, of course, paid for it and wouldn't accept my money. "Please, Sinag. Just take it. Where do you wanna talk?" he said as the order arrived.

"Ang kulit mo," I spat at him.

"Wow Filipino." "Hey!" I punched his shoulder, which made him laugh.

"Saan nga tayo?" he asked again.

"Oh, I don't know. Where can we eat and talk with no other people?" I asked with a light hint of sarcasm.

His face lit up. "Oh, I know a place. Come on," he said as he dragged me out of Rodic's.

-----

And we arrived at...the gym.

Juan has the weirdest, wackiest, wild ideas.

"Won't your teammates or coaches suddenly come barging in?" I asked. He shrugged. "'Di yun. I doubt teammates will. They all have class right now. Coaches... I don't really know, but I also doubt." I sighed. But honestly, this'll do.

I sat on the floor with my back facing the wall. Juan sat down in front of me and handed me my food. "Thanks," I said.

"So uhm," I cleared my throat. Juan looked at me and raised an eyebrow, his expression blank. He stared at me as he pulled out his food from the paper bag. It was unnerving.

"Stop staring." "Juan." I said firmly, but he wouldn't budge. "Juan!" I said louder and pushed his jaw away so that he faced away from me. He then erupted into laughter, which in turn made me smile myself. His laugh is so contagious.

"I was just trying to make you smile. You seemed nervous or something kanina eh, not used to seeing you like that," he said plainly. I grinned sheepishly. "I appreciate the thought, but please don't stare at me like that again. It's highkey nakaka-bother," and it sends the wrong signal.

"No promises," Juan smirked.

"Anyway, I have a question kasi. You didn't let me ask it kanina."