Crawl Out of Love (COMPLETED)

Chapter 04

Chapter 04

Earn

I didn't know how it happened but ever since I saw Iain in my building, I started to see him more often in school! Sure, nasa iisang college lang kami pero hindi ko siya madalas makita noon. Bihira lang. Now, I would see him everywhere! In the hallways, sa caf pati na rin sa library.

It's pretty insane, actually. Iain would smile at me every time our eyes meet... as if we're close to be on that level.

"Are you okay? You look weird," puna ni Jean. We're at one of the kiosks in front of the engineering buildings.

Iain just passed by and smiled at me. Kasama niya 'yong pinsan niyang basketball player na sikat sa school, si Austin Javier. I know him because Leera had a crush on him before. Tipong lagi siyang nanonood ng games. Pero nawala na 'yon ngayon. The attraction died down, I guess.

"Okay lang ako," sagot ko sabay balik ng tingin sa nire-review na notes. Having exams everyday is normal in my degree program. Kapag walang exam, parang may mali.

"How did you two get close? Hindi ba medyo naiinis ka do'n kasi natalo ka niya twice?" Lee asked, probably referring to Iain. Nakita rin kasi nila iyong ngiti ni Iain sa'kin.

"We're not close," agap ko. "We just formally met at a party."

"Oh, the one you attended in Cebu?"

"Yeah... Apparently, our families struck a business deal. Hindi ko naman alam 'yon kasi 'di ko naman pinagtutuunan ng pansin."

"He looks like he wants to approach you every time we see him," komento ni Jean.

"Hayaan n'yo na," sabi ko.

For some reason, I don't want to spare them any more details. Hindi rin naman kasi importante.

Nagpatuloy ang abalang araw namin. After our exam in STS, we had a lab activity for a major subject. Nang matapos ay naghiwa-hiwalay din kaming tatlo. Leera and Jean are both part of ChE Org. I'm a member but not an active one. Silang dalawa iyong active talaga at officers pa. May meeting yata silang dadaluhan.

I went to the parking lot. Naroon na si Kuya David naghihintay.

Hindi ko na nakausap si Dad tungkol sa pagkakaroon ko ng driver/bodyguard. I seriously don't need it. I know how to fight- thanks to Mom and Dad for enrolling me to self defense and boxing classes. Kaya ko rin naman aralin ang pagmamaneho. Plus, Pablo is kind enough to offer to teach me.

Hindi pa ako nakalalapit sa sasakyan nang biglang sumulpot si Iain at sinabayan ako sa paglalakad.

"Hi, Sonia. You mind grabbing coffee with me?" tanong niya na agad namang nakapagpataas ng kilay ko. He looked like he ran because he's catching his breath. Inayos niya rin 'yong buhok niya na bahagyang magulo.

"Hi. Uh, sorry. I need to be home already..."

Dad will call. And he calls on the telephone at home only. Sa ganoon, nasisiguro niya na nasa bahay na ako at nakauwi na.

"You owe me a drink," he announced. "Natapunan mo ako, remember?"

Agad na nanlaki ang mga mata ko. I thought...

"I thought you're fine with it? Sabi mo, 'di ba?" naguguluhan kong tanong. That's what I remember!

"Yeah... I kinda changed my mind about it. I'd like to have a drink in return."

Nakarating na kami sa harap ng sasakyan.

"Pwede ba next time?"

Stupid. Hindi pala pwede! I'll be busy the next few days- not that I'm not always busy. Also, I don't like being indebted to someone. If I could make up for it immediately, I would.