As The Sun Sets (Mi Amore #1)

02

The whole Sunday was spent doing all of my school works with such a searing headache, along with flinching everytime my Dad scolds me because apparently I got wasted. Wala siyang binanggit na katapat ng pag-alis ko kahapon, maybe he really agreed without any conditions.

Ni hindi ko nga alam kung paano ako nakalakad ng maayos papunta sa bahay namin, nagising na lang ako na nasa kama ko, bago ang damit at galit na mukha ni Papa ang sumalubong sa 'kin.

Pinagalitan ko pa sina Tal dahil sa sobrang pagkaabala nila ay hinayaan nalang nila ako kay Kiel.

I have a vacant hour every Monday kaya naglalakad ako papunta sa Starbucks na malapit lamang sa school. I usually spend my free time here whenever my friends aren't around.

Sana ay hindi ko na makita si Kiel, o kahit sino man sakanila. Nagdasal na ata ako sa lahat ng santo na hindi ko na sila makasalubong. Vacant naman ako ngayon, they're all probably in their own classes.

A smile formed on my lips the moment I entered Starbucks. Ah, the smell of coffee lingering around the four corners of the shop. These places are always the most calming to be in with the café's aesthetics, soft music, and the silent chattering of the customers. Like some calming ASMR.

Nilibot ko ang paningin sa mga taong nasa loob, no signs of Kiel or his best friends. Kaunti lang ang tao ngayon dito. I ordered an Iced Caramel Cloud Macchiato and sat on the far end of the room next to the window.

I studied a lot of my lessons and power points without wasting any time. Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng pag-aaral sa Pre-Cal nang may kumalabit sa 'kin.

Napamura ako ng malakas pero agad rin tinakpan ang bibig ko dahil napalakas yata ito ng sobra at pinagtitingnan na ako ng ibang mga customers.

Lumingon ako para malaman kung sino ang kumalabit sa akin only to see Zane, one of my classmates. I rolled my eyes at the sight. I keep avoiding him because his actions towards me show he either likes me, or he likes every girl in school and I'm his target today. I clearly don't like him and I try to not let our paths cross as much as possible. It's not that easy, considering we're both classmates.

Gwapo naman siya, bulky ang katawan, maputi at matangkad, medyo kulot ang buhok at madating sa mga babae. But I never really liked him, or maybe I'll get to like him if he isn't so...pushy?

"Sorry, did I startle you?" He asked before sitting on the chair opposite to mine.

"Obvious ba?" Napaikot nito ang mga mata ko. I hate when people disturb me when I study.

"Chill, Atienza!" Mukhang nagulat siya sa pananaray ko sa kan'ya. I cringed at the mention of my last name. I prefer being called by my first name.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?" tanong ko sakanya. I took a look around the café. "Marami pang bakante."

"Wala, gusto lang kitang makita. Alam kong nandito ka tuwing vacant time," ngumisi siya. Bigla niyang hinawakan ang kamay ko na nakapatong sa table. Agad ko itong inalis at tiningnan siya ng masama.

"Look, I'm studying here. Kung gusto mo lumandi ay humanap ka ng iba at huwag ako," mariin na saad ko.

Napalitan ang kaniyang ekspresiyon, mukhang nagalit ata sa sinabi ko at wala akong pakialam doon. He should be minding his own business, not mine.

Tumayo siya at nang akala ko ay aalis na siya, marahas niyang kinuha ang aking kamay at hinila patayo. Masakit 'yon dahil malakas siya.

"I'm just being friendly dahil nag-iisa ka lang diyan!" pagalit na saad niya. Wow, is he not used to being rejected?

Mas hinigpitan niya pa ang hawak niya sa palapulsuhan ko, pilit ko itong tinatanggal pero mas malakas siya sa akin kaya hindi ko ito maalis.

"Zane, I am warning you, let go of my hand!" sigaw ko.