So Near, Yet so Far (COMPLETED)

10

042520

Chapter 10

"Suit yourself," sabi ni Coleen sa bagong dating.

Feeling a bit wary, she bent her head a little and looked sideway to her right, making sure the stranger gave enough distance for her comfort. Napayapa siya na doon naman ito umupo sa kabilang dulo.

"Ba't nandito ka sa labas?" tanong nito.

Oh, how she wished he'd leave her alone.

She didn't want to be rude so she obliged an answer, "I'm not a party person."

Silence followed, and her brows knitted at how awkward the situation turned. She'd never been a talker especially to persons she didn't know.

When the wind blew again, she looked down at her lap, hoping she had wore a longer dress.

Aalis na sana siya nang magsalita ang lalaki at pumunta sa bandang unahan. She could see his back as he studied the sky, too.

"Isn't the night lovely?" he said, tone of his voice smiling. Di niya alam kung saan pero parang narinig na niya ang boses nito.

When the guy was about to turn, her eyes gone wide when she realized where she heard it. His side profile was enough to convince her. Hindi man niya ito tinititigan sa klase gaya ng mga kaklase niya pero dahil sa inis niya rito tuwing recitation lagi niya itong pinapanood tuwing palabas na ng room.

She abruptly turned her head away, debating in her mind what to do next.

Sa dinami-dami ng tao sa loob na pwede niyang makaharap doon ay ito pa. At bakit pati ito ay naroon din sa kasal na iyon?

She reminded herself of how she looked that night. Hindi naman siya nito siguro makikilala. Even herself was surprised at how different she looked at her get up.

Bakit kasi hindi niya ito nabosesan kanina? Ngayon lang niya napagtanto na pati sa klase nito ay puro negosyo ang nasa isip niya. Nakapag-isip na sana siya kung ano ang gagawin. 

"Di ka ba komportable na nandito ako?" tanong nito nang mapansin na nasa ibang direksyon ang kanyang mukha.

His voice made her stood to her feet, deciding to pull an emergency exit. Bastos na kung bastos. Who cares what he'd think about her. Di naman nito alam na ang naroon ay siya na paborito nitong pag-tripan sa recitation.

Coleen regretted turning down most of the previous invitations her mother had asked her. Nasanay sana siya sa ingay ng mga bisita, sa ganoong ayos, pagsuot ng bestida, at higit sa lahat ang magtakong.

Sa sobrang pagmamadali ay natisod siya.

"Careful!" Sir Saavedra caught her on the waist, pulling her in secure.

Her mind stopped, only senses working at the moment. His face was near that her eyes could see her reflection in his eyes. Her nose smelled his perfume that she wanted a quick sniff against his suit. She noticed her hand touching his chest. Parang may boltahe sa mga iyon. At higit sa lahat, iyong kamay nito sa beywang niya. Parang pinipilipit ang kanyang sikmura.

She would rather have fallen on the ground than be in that awkward position with him.

"A-are you okay?" tanong nito.

Hindi siya nakapagsalita at unti-unti niyang naramdaman ang pag-init ng kanyang mga pisngi na kung lalagyan ng yelo ay tiyak na matutunaw agad.

After what felt like a minute, her knees went soft when Sir Saavedra did the expected but unexpected to her.

Ngumiti ito sa kanya.

---End of Chapter---

042520