Shadows in the Rain | FILIPINO | Completed

- Chapter 2 -

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I thought we would just be ordinary pals, but then I had problems and he would be the first to come along. He became my trusted confidante, until the day he revealed his feelings towards me. And just like that, we became a couple without me telling him that we were.

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"So dito ako nakatira. Sobrang salamat sa paghatid mo sa 'kin dito sa 'king humble abode," I said with open arms and a wide smile on my face.

I was deeply grateful dahil nag-offer siya na ihatid ako pauwi pagkatapos namin mag-dinner. Short walking distance lang naman outside the campus ang tinitirhan kong apartment. I didn't want to rent a place that was farther away. Baka ma-late pa ako sa classes ko.

I turned to face him nang makarating na kami sa harap ng apartment door. Nahuli ko siyang nakatitig sa akin with a smile on his handsome face. Gurl! Hayun na naman ang dimples niya!

"You know, for someone na ayaw magpa-istorbo sa outgoing friends niya, your place is literally nearer to the campus than I thought. Sana sa loob ka na lang ng campus kumuha ng apartment. It's a whole lot safer there," he said.

I laughed. May point nga naman siya! Okay, sige, mage-explain ako sa kanya.

"I know... pero 'di ko kasi talaga feel tumira sa loob ng campus. Hindi ko bet ang school life 24/7 na atmosphere. At saka ayaw kong ma-late for class kaya ito na lang pinakamalapit na apartment sa university ang pinili kong i-rent," I said with a chuckle.

"Don't get me wrong, Fiona. It's good to know. I'm actually glad! Madali kong mahahanap ang damsel in distress. And now I know kung saan kita makikita in case kailangan mo ng tulong."

"Right. Well, once in a blue moon lang naman akong mangailangan ng tulong but, yeah, we can keep in touch."

"So, I guess we'll call it a night. Kita na lang ulit tayo tomorrow on campus."

"Yeah. It's been a long day today. Pero masaya ako at nakilala kita. Super thanks for being my research buddy!"

He nodded with a smile. And then nahuli ko na may bahid ng alinlangan sa mukha niya before he spoke again.

"You know, gusto ko sana'ng mag-stop by for coffee or tea in your place... but I think I'll pass for now. Sige, next time na lang since we've only technically met today," he said.

I laughed. Oo nga ano! Ni hindi ko man lang siya inimbitahang pumasok muna sa apartment ko para mag-kape. Hospitality, where are you?

"Is that your roundabout way of saying na dapat imbitahan kita sa loob?" I asked. Ay gaga! Naitanong ko pa talaga? Geez!

"Hahahah! It's okay, bella, I don't mind." He laughed.

"Okay... if you insist," I said with a shrug. Napangiti na lang ako.

"At gusto ko rin sana na mag-goodnight kiss but then again... we've only just met today."

Bahagyang nanlaki sa gulat ang beautiful brown eyes ko. Joke niya ba 'yon? After a second ay natawa na lang ako. Nakakahawa ang sense of humor ng gwapong kumag na 'to!

"Right. Hindi talaga ako tumatanggap ng kiss from strangers on the first day I've known them."

"Yes. Me, too! Baka mamaya isa ka palang pretty serial killer," he said and winked.