A Burnt Flower's Ashes

Chapter Eighteen

I have no idea why things ended up like this.

My heart throbbed in discomfort when Sir Hana pulled over his bike on the side of the street. His face crumpled in irritation when he looked at Uriel, but it softened instantly when our eyes met. He took a deep breath.

"Adriano," He called in a straight face then adjusted the frame of his glasses. "Hands off."

"Why should I listen to you?" I whimpered when Uriel pushed me against his chest once more. "We're friends. This is normal to us."

Our science professor frowned. "You're making her feel uncomfortable." he said.

Uriel grinned to me. "Do I make you feel uncomfortable, Suna?" he playfully asked.

"Uhm," I faked a cough. "I can't breathe."

I sighed in relief when Uriel finally released me from his arms. I was just about to join Sir Hana by his side but my seatmate firmly held me by the arm. Bakas ang inis sa mukha niya.

"What are you doing?" His eyes narrowed into slits. "You stay here with me. I prayed for you. I saw you first. Just this once, don't you think you have the duty to stay with me?"

My lips parted. "I don't understand."

My eyes widened when Uriel carefully took my hand then intertwined our fingers. I was stupefied by his gesture, but I couldn't get myself to resist. Tumingin ako kay Sir Hana at salubong na ang mga kilay niya.

"Bakit magkasama pa kayong dalawa nang ganitong oras?" In the nicest way possible, it felt like Sir Hana's question was directed to me, like he was demanding for my explanation.

"Ah, seriously. You're getting on my nerves." Uriel whispered to himself, pertaining to our adviser. "Always appearing out of nowhere whenever I'm having a good time with my freak." He clicked his tongue in dismay.

His freak? Is he referring to me? I hope not.

"It's already past midnight. Ihahatid ko pauwi si Suna." maangas na sambit ni Uriel at muling ngumisi sa aming guro.

"I'll take her home." Sir Hana volunteered.

"Oh, sure." Uriel remarked, sarcasm at its finest. "You really don't mind starting rumors about a professor and his student wandering on the streets at this hour? Scandalous as hell."

"I'll take you home first, then. I don't mind spreading rumors about you and me, Uriel." Our professor suggested with a triumphant smile on his face.

As expected, my seatmate didn't appreciate the joke. He quietly stared at Sir Hana, his eyes ablaze. This is really nerve-wracking. I feel like I'm about to piss on my pants. None of us dared to break the silence.

My stomach suddenly growled, though.

Sabay silang napalingon sa akin.

"I'm sorry. I swear it's not intentional." ninenerbyos kong sabi.

Uriel frowned. "Are you hungry?"

"Medyo." nahihiya kong sagot.

My eyes widened when Uriel took out some crackers from his pocket. Before I could even demur, he stuffed some of the crispy snack on my mouth. I appreciate the deed, but I wish he would just feed me like a normal person. You know, without choking me.

"Here, Suna." Sir Hana approached me with a bottle of water on his hand. Saan galing 'yan?

I was just about to grab the bottle when my seatmate quickly swatted it away. "No need for that. She can just swallow her own spit."