100 Ways to Get Fortunato (Complete)

08

I opened my mouth to breathe some air then, exhaled. Nag-strech ako ng aking mga braso at nagpahalumbaba sa table. I sipped on my hydro flask and started studying again. It's been days passed since nagkalagnat ako and I am all well now.

Nandito kami ngayon nina Layla sa isang study café, kasama sila Ali, Tanya, and Liam. Nakakalat sa table ang mga handouts, sticky notes and highlighters. Ilang araw na lamang kasi at final exam na para sa quarter na ito, kaya't pinag tutuunan namin ng atensyon ang pag re-review. I took a bite at my chocolate that caught Ali's attention.

He stared at me kaya napatitig din ako sa kanya.

"What?" I asked. Ngumuso siya sa chocolate na hawak ko. I pouted, I don't want to share!

"Kiss daw," sambit ni Liam ng 'di nakatingin sa amin habang patuloy ang pagbabasa sa papel. He groaned in pain when Ali and I simultaneously kicked him under the table.

I heard Tanya chuckled.

"Ayoko ng may naglalandian sa harap 'ko," Layla gave us her fakest smile.

Hindi ko na sila pinansin at iniabot ko na lang kay Ali ang kalahating chocolate na hawak ko, tuwang tuwa naman siya habang nakasimangot akong pinapanood siyang kumagat sa piraso ng tsokolate ko.

I listed all the formula needed for the examination and focused on understanding the contents of the reviewers that I am reading.

The next day, I prepared myself early. I took my cardigan because it is kind of cold weather today pero alam ko naman na iinit na mamaya, pabago bago kasi ang panahon. Nang ma-isara ko na ang gate ng bahay ay nakita ko si Gian, coming out of their street with his hands inside his pockets.

"Gian!"

I called his name at tumakbo papunta sa kanya. "Goodluck sa exam mamaya,"

"Goodluck sa Physics," he said in a teasing tone.

I hissed and glared at him. "I have extra days to review pa. Sobrang concern ka talaga sa akin 'no. I will not fail this time. I will show you my perfect exam paper,"

"Asa kang concern ako sa'yo?" Taas kilay niyang tanong.

"Ako," I paused and I pointed myself. "Umaasa sa'yo." I winked.

Umiling siya sa sinabi ko at marahang pinitik ang noo ko. "Stupid,"

"Bakit ba palaging crooked ang necktie mo?"

Napababa ang aking tingin sa akin necktie. It was really crooked, lumipat ang tingin ko sa necktie niya, it was properly placed and it was neat looking.

"Oh—" Nagulat ako ng bigla niyang ayusin ang necktie ko.

My eyes widened when I realize that his hand is close to my chest. I mean it wasn't but it was near but not really, ahhh! I can't think right! Uminit yata.

Gian froze when he realize it too, umangat ang kanyang tingin mula sa necktie papunta sa aking mga mata, namula ang kanyang tenga at bigla niyang iniiwas ang kanyang tingin sa akin at dahan dahan naman niyang binitawan ang collar ko.

He cleared his throat and loosens his necktie. "I should have asked first, I didn't mean to..."

"Yeah, it's not like you really touch it. I mean it was just my neck and the necktie under my collar, it is not my chest---"

"Okay, got it. Please stop." Mariin niyang sambit.

"O-Okay," I faked a cough.

I fixed my necktie on my own and we started walking in silence. I sighed.