Fascinated by You (GM Series #1)

10

She must be nuts for feeling overwhelmed with Maverick's gestures. The guy's been so sweet and attentive of her. Araw-araw ay may pakulo itong surpresa para ka niya, tulad ngayon, hindi naman n'ya birthday pero may bitbit itong balloon. It was a big clear balloon na may maliit pang kulay pink sa loob at may glitters na sumasabog tuwing aalugin ang lobo.

"Ano na naman 'yan?" she asked as he approached her.

"Happy birthday?" sagot naman nito.

"Silly! Malayo pa ang birthday ko. Mga pauso mo talaga, Maverick," ani n'ya naman.

"Kidding," sagot nito. "Saw this on my way here, thought of you so I decided to bought you one," sabi pa nito.

She felt flattered. She couldn't deny that. Hindi naman siya bato para hindi makaramdam ng tuwa sa mga ginagawa nito para sa kan'ya at lalong hindi naman s'ya ganung kasama para hindi ma-appreciate ang mga iyon.

"Ano namang gagawin ko dyan? Puputukin lang 'yan ng mga classmates ko sa loob," sabi n'ya.

"If you want, I can put it in my car for a while. Kunin na lang natin pagkatapos ng klase mo," suggestion naman nito.

She shrugged. "That's better, I guess," sang-ayon naman n'ya.

So they agreed on that. Maverick will put the balloon in his car until their classes end.

"Ano na nga kasing ganap sa inyo ni Maverick?" Van asked her, really curious of what's really happening between them two.

"Wala naman. Ganun lang," she answered.

"Ano wala, ganun lang? Lukaret ka ba talaga?" tanong ulit nito.

"Wala nga kasi, sabi n'ya nangliligaw s'ya e, hindi ko naman s'ya pinapayagan," she answered, shrugging.

"Hindi mo pa pinapayagan ang lagay na 'yon? Kung mag landian kayo sa labas ng building daig n'yo pa ang mag-jowa?"

"Ganun ba kami?" tanong naman n'ya.

"Oo! Gaga ka, hindi mo ba alam na pinag-uusapan na kayo sa buong department?" sabi pa nito.

"Talaga ba?" tanong n'ya pa ulit.

"Oo! Ewan ko ba sa'yo, sabi mo ay si Kuya Caius ang gusto mo, pero kung makipag landian ka kay Maverick akala mo ay kayo na," sabi pa ulit ni Van sa kan'ya.

"Hala! Si Caius parin naman talaga ang gusto ko, no," sagot naman n'ya.

"Eh, ano pala si Maverick?" tanong pa nito. "Ano, lalandiin mo pero 'di mo mamahalin?" dagdag pa nito.

"Hindi naman sa ganun," ani n'ya. "Malinaw naman kay Maverick kung sino ang gusto ko at isa pa, alam naman nating hindi siya titigil kahit patigilin ko siya," dahilan n'ya pa.

"But you also know that you can't play feelings, right?" paalala nito sa kan'ya. "Sa huli ay hindi mo maiiwasang may masaktan, it's either you or him. Regardless, that shouldn't be the end of this scenario. Make up your mind until it's not too late, Jordyn. Baka madarang ka at huli na bago mo ma-realize 'yon," dagdag pa nito.

That's what running through her head the whole day. May punto naman kasi ang kaibigan n'ya. Alam niyang mali na hinahayaan niyang ligawan siya ni Maverick kahit iba naman ang gusto n'ya.

"What's with the long face?" Maverick asked, nagkita sila nito para sa lobong bigay nito sa kan'ya.

She shook her head. "Wala naman," maang-maangan n'ya.

Maverick held her chin up and smile at her. "I know you, Jordyn. I know when something is bothering you," sabi nito sa kan'ya.

"You know?" she asked, can't believe that he knew her well.

"I do. Now, tell me what's going on your pretty mind," pilit pa nito.

She sighed. He's too good to be true.

"Van told me that we've been the subject of a talk in my department..." simula n'ya.

"Hmm?" Maverick reacted, waiting for her to say more.

"She said that everyone thinks that we're already a couple..." she said.

"Are you bothered because of that?" Maverick asked, holding her hand and caressing it with his thumb, his expression is so gentle that it hurts her.

She nodded. "It was clear to you that I like someone else, right?" she asked.

Maverick nodded but his brows creased. "What are you trying to say?" he asked.

She looked straight in his eyes as she said, "I don't want to be talked to like that and I don't want to hurt you in the future so, I think it's better if we stop doing this."

Maverick smirked. "Do you want us to stop because people are talking about us or you want us to stop because you like someone else?" he asked.

Hindi naman s'ya nakasagot sa tanong nito dahil alam n'ya sa sarili niyang wala roon ang dahilan kung bakit gusto niyang tumigil sila.

"I don't want you to get hurt," she answered instead.

"Getting hurt is the consequences of loving, Jordyn. Hindi mo ako kailangan intindihin," sabi nito. "Now, tell me, do you really want us to stop?" he then asked.

"I don't know," she answered, honestly.

"Are you happy with me?" he asked again.

She nodded, not wanting to deny anything from him.

Maverick smiled and kissed her on the forehead. "That's enough for me to proceed. Hindi ako titigil nang dahil lang sa chismis, as long as I'm making you happy I am happy too," sabi nito.

Unconsciously, she found herself hugging him. Maverick hugged her too, tighter than she did and kissing her forehead repeatedly.

That's what they do. They still continue what is between them only that, they become careful of their actions every time they are together.

"Do want something else?" Maverick asked her. Nasa labas sila ng school, sa kanto kung saan nakahanay ang mga cart ng iba't-iang street foods.

She shook her head. "Mamaya na lang pag ubos ko na ito at hindi pa ako busog," sagot naman n'ya. She was smiling as she was holding a plastic cup full of betamax, isaw at inihaw na paa ng manok.

"Masarap ba?" tanong nito.

Agad naman s'yang tumango habang may kagat-kagat ang isaw. "Ngayon lang ako nakakain dito. Mayroon palang ganito sa labas ng school," she answered.

"Should I bring you here often?" he asked.

Tumango naman siya. "Pwede naman, pero huwag araw-araw. Baka magkasakit naman tayo pag ganun," sagot n'ya.

Maverick smiled and wiped something from the side of her lips. Sauce.

"I'll bring you somewhere else tomorrow, then," he said.

"Lalabas ulit tayo bukas?" she asked, sounds excited that made Maverick laughed a bit as he nodded.

"Yes, bukas ulit," sagot nito. "Date."