Beneath What it Seems

Kabanata 12

Ang sarap pala

I was shocked to see the library jam-packed that afternoon. Kung iyon ang bumungad sa akin sa 1st floor ay umaasa akong mas konti na ang nasa basement pero mali ako.

It was also really full. I can't even spot a vacant chair sa mga nadadaanan ko. I guess 3PM is definitely a peak hour for this.

I stretched my neck to look at our table. There, I saw him looking at me. Lumakad ako palapit sa kaniya.

Nang konti na lang ang distansiya namin ay inabot niya ang upuan sa harap niya at may kinuha roon. It was his bag.

He placed his bag on the chair to save my seat.

I felt a ticklish sensation inside me.

I can't bring my hand to wave at him. I feel too shy to do so. I just gave him a smile.

I quietly brought down my bag and sat on the chair not wanting to disturb the people around with any noise.

Ridge only has a single book in front of him now. Unlike other days na may iba siyang pinagkakaabalahan, ngayon ay may binabasa lang siya. I guess he's not that busy today.

It's the complete opposite for me though. Kailangan kong maghabol ng oras dahil hanggang 5PM lang ang pasahan nito. I immediately started with my business, not wanting to waste my time.

Hindi ko alam kung guni-guni ko lang pero minsan ay nararamdaman kong sumusulyap sakin si Ridge. I can't bring myself to confirm it though because I'm busy.

"Excuse me," someone whispered.

Napaangat ang tingin namin sa dalawang babae sa tapat ng table namin.

"Can we share seats with you?" the other girl asked in a small voice.

We're actually sitting in a four-sitter table so there are still two vacant seats left.

I saw Ridge turning his gaze on me.

Tumango-tango naman ako agad sa dalawa. "Sure,"

They murmured their thanks and we went back to each of our own business.

Ang nasa tabi ko ay mukhang maraming gawain dahil marami siyang nakalatag. Tingin ko'y project pa nga ang isa sa mga ginagawa niya.

Habang tumatagal ay medyo nahihirapan ako dahil halos sakupin niya na ang buong lamesa sa side namin. Tumatama na sakin ang gamit niya at medyo nasisikipan na ako.

I can feel Ridge's concern gaze on me.

Dumating sa puntong halos hindi na ko makapagsulat dahil walang mapatungan ang braso ko. Kung ipipilit ko ito'y madadaganan ko ang mga gamit ng katabi ko.

"Lia,"

I shivered when I heared Ridge call my name.

I looked at him in awe.

"Let's switch places," he suggested.

Hindi pa man ako nakakarecover ay nakita kong sinimulan niya nang ayusin ang mga gamit namin para mapagpalit.

Late na tumango ako at tumayo na rin para makalipat sa pwesto niya.

I find it much more comfortable in his seat. Ang katabi niya rito ay tanging pagsusulat lang sa notebook ang pinagkakaabalahan.

I then went back to what I was doing. Nag-double time na ako dahil mabilis ang paglipas ng oras. Nang makita kong past 4PM na ay nastress pa ko at mas nagmadali.

It was around 4:20 nang maramdaman ko ang pagod sa kamay. Saglit kong binitawan ang pansulat at dahan-dahang ginalaw galaw ang kamay para medyo ipahinga na rin.

Tumama ang tingin ko kay Ridge.

"Marami pa ba?"

Nagulat ako sa tanong niya.

"Uh-" I was just about to answer when he reached for the thickler and looked at it.

Kinumpara niya iyon sa kinokopyahan ko sa phone. Last part naman na 'yon at konti na lang ay patapos na.

"I'll finish it,"

Bahagya pang nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi niya pero agad na siyang nagsimula. Seryoso ang ekspresyon ng mukha niya habang ginagawa iyon. I can't look at anything but him.

He was really quick in doing it. He immediately handed it to me right after. I was amazed as I scanned through the pages where he wrote. He has such a beautiful hand writing plus I can see his efffort in making it look similar to my penmanship.

My lips slowly curved into a smile.

I don't know what's the right term for what I'm feeling but all I know is that this is such a wonderful feeling I would never want to end.

I would trade anything just to feel like this everyday.

The little things he do is making me feel this way.

From his simple gesture of saving my seat,

To his obvious concern,

To his offer of exchanging seats,

And even finishing my stuff for me.

His thoughtfulness and genuine care.

Everything.

Ganito ba maging kaibigan ang isang Ridge Terrence?

Kasi kung oo ay hindi ko itatangging ang sarap pala.