Shawn and Andrea

3

After class, we went out to eat dinner. Shawn let me pick the place kaya napressure ako bigla. Nakakahiya naman sa kanya kung sabihin kong "kahit saan" nalang. That two words kind of irritate me and I think it will irritate him, too.

Ilang araw na din ang nakalipas simula noong nagkita kami ni Iñaki. We never crossed paths anymore. And it was good. Mas nakakapagfocus ako sa acads ko and...

Shawn.

"Gusto mo sa Ocho?" Tanong ko.

He suddenly grabbed my hand and intertwined it with his. I felt my cheeks heating up. Pulang-pula na naman ako!

"Anywhere with you is fine."

Wala na. Isa na akong malaking kamatis.

"You're like a walking tomato." Sabi niya dahilan para mapatingin ako sa kanya. Aba-aba! Tinawanan pa ako!

"Ikaw naman... you're... you're..."

I thought of things that would insult him, but I found none.

"I'm what?" He gave me that boyish grin that made my heart skip a beat.

Cute.

"I'm cute huh?" He said and I just wanted to bitch slap myself.

I said it out loud pala. Ugh!

"H-Huh? Hindi. Sabi ko cute yung puppy dun." Sabay turo sa kung saan, but he wasn't having any of it.

"Hmmm okay." He chuckled that made me roll my eyes.

Shawn was playful around me. I wasn't expecting that. He was always serious in class. Minsan ko lang makitang nakangiti. He would hangout with the boys to play basketball, but his face would remain passive.

"Ugh. Whatever, Shawn."

We were both discussing about today's lecture since there was something I couldn't get my grip on. Buti nalang at kasama ko si Shawn. Matalino siya e compared sa 'kin.

When we entered the restaurant, my eyes immediately caught Iñaki. We stared at each other. My breathing felt heavy again especially when I saw him with his new girlfriend. My tears were threatening to fall again.

Akala ko okay na ako.

I want to get out of here.

"Do you still want to eat here?" Tanong ni Shawn sa 'kin. He had a worried look plastered on his face.

Oh, Shawn. I really am grateful for this human being.

I need to stay. Ipapamukha ko kay Iñaki na hindi na ako affected.

"Yeah. Why not?" Sabi ko.

"Okay."

Nakapagorder na din kami at tumungo sa isang bakanteng lamesa. I ignored Iñaki's stare when we passed by them. I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding when we reached our table. Nabalutan kami ng tahimik. Kanina ay smooth yung conversation namin, ngayon naman ay parang ang awkward magsalita.

Nabigla ako nang hawakan niya ang kamay ko. He gave me a reassuring smile and that made my heart melt.

"You're going to be okay."

I placed my free hand on top of his and said, "Of course I'm going to be okay. Ikaw kaya ang kasama ko."

"Nilalandi mo na ako ah?"

Natawa ako sa sinabi niya at saka binawi ang kamay ko. "Hoy! 'Di 'to paglalandi!"

"E anong tawag mo diyan?"