After You (Rewriting Fate Series #1)

Kabanata 2

Isang linggo simula noong unang pasukan.

Wala masyadong discussions. Teachers are focused only on giving us pre-tests.. just like the usual. Ilang araw na 'rin akong tambay sa library. I don't know why but I seem bothered by Mr. Malfuego's existence.

I don't expect to top the class but ever since he came, parang nagkaroon ng pressure sa puso't-isip ko. Parang biglang nanganganib 'yung bagay na nakasanayan kong maabot sa tanang buhay ko.

I can't imagine myself receiving second place or so for the first time.

Last week was only pre-tests, however we haven't checked it yet. I assume that the results will be out this week.

Nawala ako sa pagkakatulala nang dumaan si Carmaine sa harap ko. Her hair is medium-length and straight cut, and it was thick and silky. She's the prim and proper type. Head turner siya sa tuwing dumadaan because she has a natural, glowy look.

Dala-dala niya ang libro ng Thesaurus. I guess she's here to loosen up.

Isang mesa lang ang pagitan naming dalawa.

I wonder how she's doing in STEM?

"Sabi na't dito kita mahahanap.." dinungaw ko sa bandang gilid ang nakahalukipkip na Malfuego. I don't know if he's referring to me or...

Napalinga-linga ako sa bawat sulok. Sa akin lang naman siya mas malapit. Is he..?

"Ms. Sevilla, 'di ba?" I almost forgot to breathe. Why is this guy here?

"Y-yup.. Why?" I hate how a simple question made me stutter.

Yung tanong ba talaga? O ang nagtanong?

"Magpapaturo sana ako.." he calmly sat in front of me and brought out an Earth and Life Science book. May kung anong kulo sa loob ko na gustong sumabog.

Ang Salutatorian ng UIC? Magpapaturo sa akin?!

"Are you insulting me?" tiim-bagang kong saad sa kanya. Bumibilis na talaga ang tibok ng puso ko at halos marinig ko pa ang pintig nito.

"I'm.. What?" kunot nuo niyang saad na parang hindi makapaniwala sa tugon ko.

Huh! Bakit kamo siya magpapaturo, aber? Is he testing my intelligence?! Tanggap ko nang hindi niya ako kasing-talino. Why does he have to face that fact to me?

"Magpapaturo nga sana ako. What's wrong with that?" he's biting his lip as if he's trying hard to look calm. Is he nervous?

His eyes pointed sharply at me. He looks serious while telling these to me.

Well, Dyanarah.. What if nahirapan nga?

Sandali akong nanatili sa pagpikit. I should calm down, alright?

"O--"

"Nevermind.. Pasensya sa abala." anito at tahimik na umalis sa harap ko. That's it.

Stupid, Loise. Ano bang pinag-iisip mo?!

Mabilis kong niligpit ang mga gamit at tumungo palabas ng library. Hindi pa naman siguro iyon nakakalayo.

I was busy stretching my toes upwards trying to search for Malfuego nang bigla akong mawalan ng balanse.

"What the f-" I expected to land on a dusty floor. Pero malambot ang aking likuran. Ni hindi 'rin nauntog ang aking ulo. Dahan-dahan kong iminulat ang mata mula sa pagkakapikit..

A familiar face is in front of me.

"Dog tag.."

Tahimik lamang siyang nakatingin sa mga mata ko. Am I dreaming? Hallucinating?