Ghosting Madness

Chapter 18

18: Good Boy in Corduroy
"Feel the fresh air
I can feel your eyes stare
And I'm not gonna lie
I get a little bit scared."

The metal rods hanging on the wind chime swiftly clanged as I pushed the glass door. I made sure to create a little amount of sound to tingle across the restocafé. In fact, most people inside are mumbling and busy with their own businesses that only three or four persons gazed their faceless head towards mine . . . enough to revert quickly like a passing fancy.

That was a good start. I took a deep breath after Paulo waved his hands to me, calling me to come forward.

"Hoy, late ka na. Bilisan mo, girl," he said almost whispering while his head moves from side to side. Maybe, he doesn't want to put me in danger by calling me out loudly for being late.

"S-Sorry po."

Awtomatiko akong napayuko at humingi ng paumanhin. Medyo na-late ako nang kaunti dahil kailangan ko pang dumaan sa campus para ipasa ang ilang requirements na muntik ko nang ikamatay dahil sa pagpupuyat at pag-e-effort. Buti na lang considerate ang department namin.

"Hala, huwag ka nang tumayo diyan!" he said hysterically, "Kay Sir ka mag-sorry. Kanina pa kami short dito. Ang daming tao, oh," and added, pointing his finger on the tables, filled with different types of customers before going back to his work.

Dali-dali akong pumunta sa staff room para mag-time in sa logbook at magpalit ng damit. Biyernes ngayon, ang umpisa ng Christmas break. Kaya reasonable lang sa mga ganitong oras na alas-tres y medya ang dami ng tao. Puno ang karamihan sa mga table. At mostly, tumatambay lang.

God, huwag naman sana akong mapagalitan.

"You're late."

Napalakas ang pagsara ko sa locker ko nang marinig ang boses niya sa malapit. Napahawak ako sa dulo ng uniform ko matapos akong mapatalon sa gulat. Muntik na 'yon. Akala ko si Chef Kes na.

"Reasons," he said as he put his bag inside his locker.

Si Dean lang pala.

Napatingin ako sa gilid ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Is he asking me why I'm late or is he mocking me for being late? Di ko kasi alam kung question mark or period ang dulo ng salitang huli niyang binanggit.

"M-May hinabol lang na requirements sa school," paliwanag ko na lang habang nakatingin sa maliit ngunit matalas na hugis ng mga mata niya.

Everything about him has changed just like how bright his skin is now. His lips are still thin yet seducing in pink, with his proud nose screaming handsome. Black and silver earrings made him even more attractive.

Napalunok ako nang magkasalubungan kami ng tingin dahil sa matagal kong pagtitig sa kaniya. I immediately refused to make that eye contact longer than what I did earlier. Nakakahiya.

"Really? That's good," he said before pulling his T-shirt up.

Mabilis pa sa alas-singko akong tumalikod. Hinawakan ko ang magkabila kong kamay na nanginginig sa kaba. Grabe talaga ang mga lalake ngayon, wala man lang consideration sa mga babae.

T-Teka nga, late rin ba siya?

Gusto ko na sanang lumabas na rito kaso medyo nakaharang siya sa pinto ng maliit na kuwartong ito at oras na dumaan ako sa gilid niya, mas magiging malapit ako sa kahubdan niya.

"Tapos ka na?"

I cleared my throat. But no one replied. Pagharap ko, saka ko lang napagtanto na wala na siya at nauna nang lumabas. The only thing that I can do is to put my palm on my face and sigh deeply.