Fascinated by You (GM Series #1)

21

It was a fine day in April, a month from now, she'll be graduating Junior High School. Jordyn is beyond ecstatic to be in Senior High in the next academic year. Ibig sabihin kasi nun ay kunting taon na lang ay magkakasama na ulit sila ni Maverick sa isang department.

She was even planning to take up the same degree program as he is. Though, he'll be in his third year by the time she reaches first year college. But it's fine as long as they see each other often. Ngayon kasi ay halos hindi na sila magkita ng matagal. He's busy with his requirements and other organizational activities, while she, cramming for requirements as a completer as well.

"Hi... excuse me. Can I ask where I can find room 502?" she asked a college student whom she first saw the moment she stepped in the college department.

The guy, together with his friends, look at her maliciously. "Oh? Ginagawa ng taga Junior High dito?" someone commented from the back.

She awkwardly smiled and said. "I'm looking for room 502 po. Can you please tell which way I should take to get there?"

"Anong pangalan mo muna bago namin ituro sayo." another said.

Napaatras naman siya at umiling. "Never mind. But thanks anyway," ani niya at tinalikuran na ang mga ito para hanapin na lang ang room ng sa sarili niya.

She's been in this department but she wasn't able to roam around it. Hanggang sa gate lamang siya noong tuwing sisilay s'ya kay Caius at ngayon lamang siya nakatapak sa loob nito.

"Uy! Sandali lang naman, Miss. Kinakausap ka pa naman, e." The guy she approached chased her. He even held her on her elbow so she would stop walking.

"Don't touch me!" she squealed, slapping away the guy's hand, startled by the sudden take on her.

"Aww. Sungit naman, Miss. Alam mo matutulungan ka naman naming, basta tutulungan mo rin kami," sabi pa ng lalaking naunang nagsalita kanina.

"It's fine. I can manage myself. I don't need your help anymore," sagot n'ya.

But those guys seemed not content with what she said because they stood in front of her, blocking her way out.

"Excuse me please," she pleaded but the guys laughed instead.

"I'm just looking for my boyfriend so please, let me pass," she said.

"Oh, tangina may boyfriend na!" one of them said.

"College boy pa nga. Hindi ba dapat ay high school lang ang boyfriend mo, miss?" another one asked.

"Baka walang thrill pag high school?" another one.

Naiiyak na tuloy s'ya. She felt harassed and she could do anything, she didn't even know what to do! Napayuko na lamang s'ya, itinatago ang mga luhang malapit nang bumagsak mula sa mga maa n'ya.

Suddenly, someone stood in front of her and the guys went quiet. Maya-maya ay nag mamadaling umalis na ang mga ito.

"Are you okay?" Caius asked her. She looked up on him and smiled a bit.

"I'm fine. Thanks for saving me," she answered, wiping her tears.

Caius handed her his handkerchief. Tatangihan niya sana ngunit ito na mismo ang nagpahid ng luha n'ya gamit ang panyo nito. Sa gulat naman n'ya sa kilos nito ay napaatras s'ya.

"I'm sorry," sabi nito.

"Ayos lang," ani n'ya. Kinuha na n'ya ang panyo nito at s'ya na mismo ang nag pahid ng sariling luha.

"Where's Jaxon? Why did he let you roam around alone here?" he asked when she calmed down.

"He doesn't know that I'm here. I was supposed to surprise him here," sagot n'ya.

"Don't do this again next time. You can get harassed here," malumanay na payo nito sa kanya.

Tumango naman siya bilang pag sang-ayon. "I didn't know that there were like them here. I thought they were nice," she reasoned out.

"College is beyond your imagination, Jordyn. An innocent girl like you should be forbidden to step in places like this," ani nito.

Napataas naman ang kilay n'ya sa tinuran nito. Hindi n'ya alam kung ipinag yayabbang nito na matalino siya kaya ganun siya pumili ng salita. Ngunit ganun pa man, hindi na siya makikipagtalo pa rito. She felt emotionally exhausted already.

"Pwedi mo ba akong samahan sa room 502? Nandun daw si Maverick, e," baka sakali n'ya.

Caius shrugged and moved his head, as if telling her to follow him. She did follow him when he started walking. Apparently, she entered the wrong entrance and floor. She went to the west wing of the building when she was supposed to go to the south, third floor. Napahamak pa tuloy s'ya.

"We're here," Caius announced, standing in front of a closed door.

She looks at it and there, just above the door's frame is pasted a metal number shaped. Room 502, it says.

"Hmm... thanks," pasasalamat n'ya rito, She was even smiling while saying that.

"No worries," sagot nito tapos ay binuksan na ang pinto ng silid. Ngunit bago pa ito tuluyang makapasok ay muli niyang itong tinawag.

"Please don't tell Maverick about what happened earlier. I don't want him to get into trouble," she said.

Caius did say anything but it nodded, sign that he understand what she meant. Tuluyan na itong pumasok sa loob, pinanood n'ya pa kung paano nito tapikin ang balikat ni Maverick na seryosong gumagawa ng kanyang plates at ituro siya sa labas.

Brow creased, Maverick turned on her way. She waved at him and smiled, saying hello in gestures. Maverick immediately stood recognizing her and walked on her way.

"Baby... why are you here?" bungad na tanong nito sa kan'ya, gulat na nandun s'ya.

She smiled and handed him the paper bag she's been holding on. It's from a well-known restaurant. "Bought you these," sabi n'ya.

Maverick sighed and hold her hands. "You should have told me. Nasundo sana kita sa baba," sabi nito sa kan'ya.

"It's okay. Kasabay ko naman si Caius," sagot n'ya.

"You were with him?" he asked.

She shrugged. "Nagkita lang kami sa baba. Naligaw kasi ako at sa west wing napunta, buti na lang at napadaan siya run at nakita ako. Kung hindi, baka hanggang ngayon ay nag hahanap parin ako sa'yo," sagot n'ya, nakanguso pa. 

Maverick took a deep sighed and held her hand. 

"Don't get upset, please? I just really want to surprise you." 

"I'm not upset. I just can't think what might happen to you if..." he sighed. "If you didn't bump with Caius." 

"Baby, nothing happened, okay? You see, I'm fine. Stop worrying," she said.

Tumango naman ito tapos ay kinuha ang hawak nya pati na rin ang kanyang kamay. Inaya s'ya nito sa loob ng silid at ipinakilala sa mga naroon. His five other friends are also there with their other classmates. Nakilala niya pa yung isang babae na kasama ni Easton noong birthday party n'ya.

"Hi... You're Eureka, right? Easton's date on my birthday party?'' She approached the girl.

The girl nodded and smiled. "Yeah. I was that girl. I'm glad you still recognized me," the girl said.

"I have a great photographic memory. I don't easily forget things, especially people," she answered, smiling.

"Oh, that's why..." the girl said. "Ako rin. I don't easily forget situations that I witnessed," she added.

Napanguso naman siya ng hindi ito sa kanya nakatingin ng sabihin niyon ito sa kanya. And she followed her gaze, she saw whom she's looking at. It was Caius who's also looking at her intently. Para itong galit na hindi mo maipaliwanag.