Dying Embers

Chapter Four

Chapter Four: Galit

Instead of joining Jilliana for lunch, I decided to hang out on the rooftop. It was peaceful, breezy, and felt refreshing.

But I couldn't relax. My frustration was so intense that even the slightest noise or gust of wind irritated me, making me feel like I was going to explode.

I tried going over the math lesson from earlier, but no matter what I did, I still couldn't get it. I focused hard on the examples in my notes, but it was useless. I needed someone to explain it to me! Out of frustration, I crumpled up the paper filled with my solutions and threw it away.

"Ayoko na!" Sigaw ko habang nakakunot ang noo ko. Gusto kong umiyak sa inis pero walang luhang lumalabas sa mga mata ko. Too much frustrations! Mababaliw na ako!

I glared at my math notebook. "You're useless too! I don't understand a thing from you!" I yelled at it.

"You know, most people don't usually talk to their notebooks, right?" 

I nearly jumped at the sound of a voice behind me. I recognized it immediately but still turned around slowly, seeing him lying on a long bench with his right arm covering his eyes. 

"Kanina ka pa diyan?" I asked after regaining my composure.

He stayed in the same position when he spoke. "Yeah. I was here first and heard all of your frustrations." I noticed his lips curl into a smirk. 

"And so?" Taas-kilay kong tanong.

He sighed, removing his arm from his eyes as he sat up and stretched.

"You just woke me up." His voice was hoarse, and his sleepy eyes were obvious.

Humalukipkip ako. "So, kasalanan ko na ngayon?" Mataray kong tanong.

Amusement flickered in his eyes as he grinned. "Yep." He said it without hesitation. I exhaled sharply. How cocky! 

"And what are you doing here, anyway?" I asked, trying to keep my irritation in check. 

"This is my spot, Nieve," he said simply with a shrug.

I rolled my eyes in disbelief. "Your spot, huh? Do you own this whole rooftop to call it yours?" I asked sarcastically. 

He pouted, pretending to think. "Do I really have to own it to call it mine?" He asked innocently, making me stare at him in disbelief.

"Are you being serious, right now? Malamang! Baliw ka ba?" Hindi ko na itinago ang inis ko sa kaniya habang sinasabi ang mga katagang 'yon.

Tumango-tango siya na para bang may napagtanto ito. Maya-maya ay tumingin siya sa akin ng may ngiti sa mga labi. "Kung ganon, e di tayo na lang."

Natigilan ako at kusang napaawang ang labi ko dahil sa gulat. "A-Anong sinabi mo?" Tumikhim ako at napalunok para itago ang pagkaka-utal ko. Why the fuck did I stutter? Damn it!

Mas lalo siyang ngumisi. "Sabi ko, tayo na lang."

For some reason, my heart pounded. Was it because of his smile or what he said? I didn't know! 

I quickly looked away from his intense gaze. "Are you out of your mind?" I muttered, fidgeting with my fingers as my cheeks burned, unable to look at him directly.