Chasing the Heart's Pursuit (Heart Series #1) - COMPLETED

Chapter 06

NOT BAD

06

The week passed by quickly. I had a hard time adjusting to my new routine, unlike before, I have to prepare everything but it's okay, it's tiring but it's fulfilling at the same time. Gaya nga ng plano ko, 'di na ako kailanman sumagot doon sa libro. Nakuha ko na rin kasi ang mga kakailanganing libro. 

As planned, I did an advance reading on the topics to be discussed this week. The beadle of the class has been decided and the group chat for our block was already created. That is why the schedule of the classes on the major subject has been given as well as the corresponding topics and chapter to be tackled.

Finally, the long-awaited quiz on our Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory subject is done.

Rax was smiling. "Mory, I'm really overwhelmed that we got a high score. Let's do well sa susunod."

I just nodded at her. I was "okay" sa grado na nakuha namin. I should do better. So much better.

"Halika na, Mory. Nandiyan na naman sila Chade. He's gonna annoy me na naman." Si Rax, habang hinihila ako palabas ng room.

Tiningnan ko ang banda nila at parang hindi naman. I sighed. Ganito na talaga siguro si Rax. But, she's not akward though. That attitude suited her – that makes it her, Rax. Raquel Fineal Barmosamos.

Sometimes, how people act around others, defines what kind of individuals they are. Are they silent? Are they out-going with others? These actions basically gives a vivid description of them. I wonder what would others describe me as. Akward? Silent? A person who does not care? But, what's important is, I know who I am internally. I shouldn't be swayed by the way they think of me.

"Guys, sabi ni Prof. Lagman, hindi na muna tayo magme-meet later. But, may ipapabigay siyang worksheet mamaya. Check niyo lang sa group chat mamaya," our beadle announced.

Lihim akong nagpasalamat. At least, makababasa pa ako ng libro mamaya at saka makatutulog nang maaga.

Sabay-sabay naman naghiwayan ang mga kaklase namin. Pati ito si Rax. "Yey! This is a lucky day talaga!" she celebrated.

"Rax, punta tayong Infinitea. Try natin ang bagong flavors doon." Si Lucy. Isa sa mga kaklase namin. It was really obvious that she doesn't like me, I don't give a damn anyway. She didn't even bother inviting me as well.

"Really? That's good." Lumingon si Rax sa akin. "You heard that, Mory? Punta muna tayong Infinitea. Please..."

"I'll pass." I answered. Ayaw kong makipagplastikan kina Lucy. As if naman. They'll just show off their things – new phone, new bag, new clothes and other possessions they fancy.

"Why?" Sumimangot naman si Rax.

"I have a lot to fix in my apartment." Kahit wala na naman. Gusto ko na lang talagang magbasa.

"You want me to help you? How about we'll buy a drink first then we'll hang out sa apartment mo?"

"No. It's okay. Really." Seeing Lucy and her friends' reactions?

No thanks.

"Sige na nga. But, next time. You should come along na, ha?" she bargained.

I nodded and smiled at her.

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Bringing my textbook, I arrived at the university. Much earlier again. As usual, I went to the library. Hindi na ako pumunta ng third floor. Nandito na rin naman ang kailangan kong libro so there's no reason for me to go there.

I was religiously reading the textbook when a hand blocked the words in the book. Inangat ko ang tingin ko.

"You again? Kailan mo ba ako tatantanan?" I asked him. Looking straight into his expressive brown eyes.

What? Was I checking him out? No! I am not!

He smiled a little. "I wasn't doing anything and here you are pissed at me again. Seriously?" he whispered.

"Bakit ba kahit saan ako pumunta rito sa library, nandiyan ka rin?" I stated, puzzled. It's too much of a coincidence.

"Hmm. What are you insinuating?" His voice teasing.

"That you are stalking me," I claimed.

"I did not see you as the assuming type, Hepburn..."

"Well, bakit ka ba nandito nang ganito kaaga?"

"I returned a book here. I was here an hour ago and I did not see you. That means, I got here before you got here," sagot niya habang inangat-angat ang kilay niya.

Instead of minding him, I did not throw a reply to him. Mabuti pang tumahimik. Wala kasi talaga siyang kuwentang kausap. I wasted a couple of minutes talking to him. Binalik ko na lang ang pansin sa binabasa ko.

Nagpatuloy pa rin siya. "Or maybe, you are the one stalking me."

Ang kapal ng mukha! Tiningnan ko siya ulit and umiling na lang.

"Now, we're back in the silent treatment again. I thought we're passed that already, we share a secret, don't we?"

I remained silent. "Fine," he sighed. "I was here early because I kind of feed the cats here. I bring food for them."

I looked at him ridiculously.

"Hey. I'm telling the truth. You can go with me and I'll introduce you to them." I was fascinated but I hid it.

"Come with me." Tapos, hinila niya ang kamay ko. Dahil sa pagdikit ng mga balat namin, natulala ako. Nalaman ko na lang na nasa labas na kami ng library, sa gilid ng canteen kami pumunta.

"Bitawan mo ako. My things..." I stopped para huminga. "Naiwan sa library."

"This won't take long. We're here already."

He scooped. Hinawakan niya iyong maliit na pusang itim sa ulo nito. I did not expect that he likes cat.

"This one's Juicy."

He then pointed at the white kitten. "That's Vans. He's a boy."

He looked at the oranged one.

"The orange one is Orange."

"Their mother, Bobby, is not here." Inikot ko ang mata ko sa paligid. May nakita nga akong lalagyan ng pagkain ng pusa.

"So, you see. I'm not lying. These are my grandchildren. The three of them. Juicy, Vans and Orange. My child, Bobby, is out as of the moment." He introduced them to me na parang mga apo at anak nga niya ang mga ito.

Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin. Bakit pa ba ako sumama dito? This is really a waste of time.

Tumikhim ako. "I'm going back to the library. Kukunin ko ang mga gamit ko roon. The first class is 20 minutes from now."

"Hey, wait up! You know, you always turn your back at me. I always chase you."

"Sino ba nagsabing habulin mo ako? I'm not forcing you to do anything. If you'll leave me alone you'll actually do me a favor."

He did not listen to what I said.

"As I was saying, Bobby and Ronald are their parents. So, Ronald's the father of the three. I don't like him. He impregnated Bobby, my daughter. And also..."

He was saying stuffs about the cats. But, I just stared at him. He seems so happy talking about them.

Edson San Francisco, you're not that bad.

Really, he's not that bad.

Not bad at all.