SINCE NINE Book 2: Reunited

Evasion

CHAPTER 26

Because Victoria was bothered, iniwasan nya si Hector na mga sumunod na araw. After a sleepless night, she finally admitted to herself that she liked the Governor’s son. Aside from his oozing sex appeal, he’s very kind and sweet. She found herself enjoying his company. They could talk about anything and everything under the sun.

He often talked about his wanting to have good education for the children. He was very successful in business and he made sure to give back to the community. He donated money to schools around Batangas para makapagpatayo ng classrooms at makabili ng school supplies para sa mga estudyante. Kaya naman, mahal na mahal ito ng mga tao. He’s very inspiring.

Bukod sa mga proyekto ng Gobernador, maraming tulong ang nakukuha ang mga tao mula rin kay Hector. Matagal na itong kinikumbinsing tumakbo bilang kapalit ng ama nito pero hindi gusto ni Hector ang pulitika. Mas gusto nitong tumulong na lang on his own kaya magiliw ang mga tao rito dahil walang bahid ng pulitika ang pagtulong nito.

Nakikipaglaro din ito ng basketball sa mga kabataang volunteers kapag hapon na at tapos na sa mga gagawin for the day. Kaya imbes na umuwi na ang ilang kababaihan, pinanonood ng mga ito si Hector. Napapaismid sya kapag may mga malalanding babaing tumitili. Hindi rin naman kasi nya masisi ang mga ito. Hector was admirable.

But that was it right? Whatever she was feeling for him, it was just a simple crush. Then why was she suddenly afraid when he was around? His nearness made her nervous. Her heart pounded whenever she talked to him.

“Iniiwasan mo ba ako?” Diretsahang tanong sa kanya ni Hector habang nagpipintura sya sa dingding ng isang classroom sa 2nd floor. Tumuntong sya sa upuan para maabot ang mataas na parte. Hininto nya ang ginagawa saka tumingin rito. Ayan na naman ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso nya nang mapatitig sya sa mga mata nito. He looked cute on his white shirt and khaki shorts. May mga pintura na ang damit nito at nalagyan rin ng konti ang ilang strands ng buhok nito. “Akala mo siguro hindi ko napapansin.”

Wala na syang chance para maiwasan pa ito. Kanina pa lumabas ang mga kasama nya para kumain ng Lunch. Nauna na ang mga ito kasama ni Maristela nang sinabi nyang susunod na lang sya. Silang dalawa lamang dun ni Hector. Medyo naconcious din sya dahil exposed ang legs nya rito. She was wearing a short denim jeans and a black t-shirt.

“Hindi kita iniiwasan,” she denied.

“I don’t believe you. May nagawa ba akong hindi ko alam? Whatever it is, I’m sorry.” Nagsusumamo ang mga mata nito. He looked gloomy and Victoria had the urge to caress his face and assure him everything was alright.

“B-Bakit ka nagso-sorry? Wala ka namang ginawa. At hindi rin kita iniiwasan. Busy lang talaga ako sa task na naka-assign sa akin. Gusto ko rin kasing matapos tayo on time,” she reasoned. She gave him a reassuring smile.

“Kung okay pala tayo, you wont mind me doing this?” Hector grinned mischievously. Bigla nitong kinuha ang isang paint brush, sinawsaw sa kulay kremang pintura saka ipininahid sa binti nya.

Nakiliti si Victoria at dahil iniwas nya ang binti rito, na-out of balance sya kaya gumewang ang upuang kinatutuntungan nya. She was about to fall but Hector caught him. Napayakap sya rito. Lalong bumilis ang tibok ng puso nya nang maamoy ang mabango nitong perfume. She was immediately lost in his dark eyes. He was also looking at her intently and his eyes dropped on her lips.

She wondered how those lips felt on hers but she mentally stopped herself from thinking such ridiculous thing. Agad nyang tinulak ang nabiglang si Hector. Para hindi masyadong awkward, ginantihan na lang nya ito. Pinahiran rin nya ng pintura sa pisngi ang lalaki.