Taming His Callous Heart (Part 2 of 3)

Chapter 3

Aira hates it when men ogle at her, but now she hates it even more when girls do. Hindi rin siya sanay nang tinataasan ng kilay.

"Huwag mo na nga kasi akong sabayan papuntang klase ko," bulong niya sa lalaking kasabay. Talagang hindi siya nito iniwan sa canteen kanina. Tahimik naman ito at hindi siya ginagambala kahit na nagkunwari lang naman siyang nagre-review ng notes.

He only signaled her to walk on and didn't say anything. Kung ma-attitude lang siya baka pinamilugan na niya ito ng mata. She only inhaled deeply and decided to ignore the students on the hallway. Kung bakit ba kasi ang prominente ng lalaking kasabay niya kahit na nasa International School sila. Ang dami namang foreign students at iba na may lahi rin pero marami pa ring nagkakagusto rito. Was it because his family owns the biggest share of stocks in their school?

Napatingin ang mga classmates niya pagpasok sa classroom, akala niya maiiwan si Ayder sumama pala ito sa loob. They all have that questioning look in their eyes. Nagkibit-balikat lamang siya at umupo sa bakanteng upuan sa tabi ng classmates niya. She sat on the third row and made sure there was no vacant seat beside her but Ayder faked a cough. Kaya boluntaryong lumipat ang lalaking katabi niya.

"Okay na ako dito, puwede ka nang pumunta sa klase mo," bulong niya rito. Ayder stared at her before speaking.

"I don't have a class until 4 P.M." he whispered. Hindi siya nakapagsalita nang hawiin nito ang buhok niya. He tucked the strands of her hair behind her ear and smiled. She felt awkward and averted her gaze only to see her seatmate's teasing smile.

"Boyfriend mo?" bulong nito. Umiling siya. Good thing their instructor came in. Everyone looked infront as she started to give an overview on what to do for the session. They all listened as she started discussing some topics. Nagbigay ito ng tanong at tumingin kung sino ang puwedeng sumagot nang makita si Ayder. They allow seat-ins in their classes kaya okay lang na nandoon ito. Nagbigla lang siguro.

"Oh, my most brilliant student in Physical Science is seating in my Biology class,"she exclaimed looking at Ayder. Lahat sila ay natuon ang atensyon rito.

"Nagsawa ka na ba sa business subjects mo? I told you, mas bagay ka sa Science or medicine courses," the instructor went on speaking without minding the whole class. Ayder glanced at her before looking at their instructor with a shy smile as he shook his head.

"Will you explain to the class how thermodynamics is applied in biological science?" she said redirecting the question to Ayder. Nahihiya naman itong tumayo. All of them stared at him with awe as he discusses how thermodynamics is applied to form carbohydrates and its application in bioengineering and biotechnology.

Napalunok siya. How brilliant could he be? Iyon kasi ang binabasa niya kanina sa canteen at alam niyang tama ang sinasabi nito.

She was silent the whole class.

"Hindi mo naman ako kailangang samahan kung saan-saan," sambit niya paglabas nila sa classroom. It was already 3:00, just in time for snacks. Her next class is also at four o'clock.

"Don't worry, kapag natapos ang investigation ng tungkol sa pagka-flat ng kotse mo, hindi na kita babantayan. That's what I promised to your dad," he answered flatly. Napatingin siya rito. Pakiramdam niya ay nasaktan ito sa pagtataboy niya. Hindi kasi maipinta ang mukha nito. Huminga siya nang malalim at nagpatuloy na lang sa paglalakad patungo sa elevator. Their school is a 20-floor building with large land area. Ang bawat courses ay magkakaiba ng floor pero mayroon silang common canteen na nasa iisang floor. Limited lang ang number of students. International School kasi, may sinusunod silang standards and only few can afford it.

"Don't worry the admin says, within this day, makakapagbigay na sila ng full report," he added. She nodded in response. Hindi niya alam kung bakit siya naman ang nadismaya. Hindi na lamang siya nagsalita. Tahimik sila pareho nang nasa loob na ng elevator. When they went out at the canteen floor, they both went into a stall and ordered food before walking to a vacant table. Pareho silang tahimik na naupo.