Chapter 3: Chapter One
"Thara!"
He called as he walked towards me from afar.
I can't help myself but to scan this man from head to toe.
His round face owning a killer smile; wide and accentuated jawlines give off more masculine feel which is very appealing; his very defined nose has more feminine feeling giving him mixed atmosphere and charm; his hypnotizing double-lid gray eyes with captivating long eyelashes almost fade as it goes along with a prominent cupid's bow lips to smile. Indeed a definition of an ethereal beauty.
He's wearing white plain shirt, brown blazer paired with dark blue jeans and a pair of brown shoes, yet it perfectly fit his nicely-built body.
"Hey!" Bungad nya pagkalapit.
Mas lalo kong nasilayan ng malapitan ang maamo nyang mukha. I feel my heart suddenly race. The smell of his manly scent made me fall for him even more.. Damn this man!
"Oy, tama na kakatitig sakin, maya-maya nyan mainlove ka pa eh." Sabay kumindat pa ang mokong ng may nakalolokong ngiti sa labi.
"Huli na yang payo mo, eh pano matagal na kong nahulog sayo".
Sandali syang napatigil at agad na nanaig ang katahimikan. Mababanaag mo sa mukha nya ang pagkagulat at pagdududa.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Nagpauto ka naman dun. Sus ginoo. As if naman." Agad kong pagbawi sa nasabi ko.
He seems to snap back into reality.
"Akala ko totoo eh hahahahaha. Malay ko diba?"
"Hahahaha. So ganun ka magrereact if ever totoo yun?Hindi ka magagalit?"
"Why would I? Normal lang naman magkagusto sa tao. At isa pa, imposible naman mangyari yun sayo, alam ko namang hanggang magkaibigan lang tayo". Natatawa pa nyang iniakbay ang braso nya sa balikat ko.
Awitt sa 'hanggang magkaibigan lang tayo'.
My heart smiled bitterly, then sighed desperately.
'If only I can express the truth. If only I can'.
"Buti alam mo, anyway, need anything?" Pag-iba ko ng topic. Inalis nya na din ang pagkakaakbay sakin.
He chuckled. "Well, kinda? Hahaha"
I secretly rolled eyes, as usual as always. The only reason he travel from his house to mine is either he needs anything or he just passed by, though the former usually happen than the latter.
I let him in and ask straight to the point.
"So ano kelangan mo?" I ask without even bother looking at him. "Dali, may gagawin pa ko" sabay nguso ko sa kasalukuyan kong tinatapos na assignment.
He occupied the seat beside me and peeped to my notebook where I was writing.
"Tapos kana sa activity no.7? Yung may illustration?"
"Yup! Kanina pa. That's why I'm working on my assignment right now. Ikaw ba?"
"Not yet. Pakopya ko sa assignment ah" he looked at me and wink pero di ko na lang pinansin
I stand up after ko magsulat. Self-explanation lang naman yung mga tanong kaya madali lang kung tutuusin. I close my notebook then intentionally throw it right at his face. Bangasan naman natin ng kaunti yang mukha mo para mabawasan ang pogi sa mundo.
"Nakalimutan mo atang nababasa ko ang nasa isip mo and I practice my adrenaline hormones regularly." Nakangising saad nya nang masalo nya yung notebook ko bago pa man lumanding sa mukha nya.
"Spell adrenaline hormones".
"Joke lang, to naman di mabiro".
Hays complete package na sana tong lalaking to kaso pag usapang spelling, tumitiklop.
"Whatever. Ayan na kokopyahin mo baka naman pwede ka ng maglaho? Shoo"
Akmang lalabas na ako when he quickly grabbed the doorknob blocking my way out, leaned on the door smirking, he said.
"Who told you eto ipinunta ko dito?" pertaining to the assignment. "My real business still unfinished, kaya pano ko makakaalis? Hmm?" Pinagtaas-baba nya pa yung dalwa nyang kilay.
I crossed my arms, raised an eyebrow.
"Real business, my ass! Ano nga yon?" Iritado kong tanong. Naiirita na ko sa presensya nya plus kumakabog pa yung dibdib ko dahil lang sa distansya naming dalwa.
He looked at me with his double-lid gray eyes.
"Take a sit first." He commanded.
When I notice he avoided my gaze, nakaisip ako ng kalokohan—este para-paraan, charr. Hahaha.
Tinapunan ko sya ng nakalolokong tingin. I step forward to face him, at pilit hinuli ang kanyang titig.
"Eh kung ayoko, aalis ka na?" I asked in a sweet voice, trying to sound seductive.
Halu-halong pagkalito, pagkainis at pagtataka ang bumalandra sa mukha nya. I know he hates stuff like this, 'disgursting shet' daw eh ginaya pa pagkakabigkas ni Lee MinHo. Sabagay sino nga ba magugustuhan ang ganto (well, except me siguro HAHAHAHA) lalo na kung hindi pinagpala sa ganda ang kaharap mo. Even kapag nagpapapansin sa kanya mga girls sa campus, he just ignored them, loyal kasi sya sa isa, and that's Naiza.
Habang hindi maipagkakailang nag-eenjoy ako sa kagagahang pinagagagawa ko, tickling sensation crept to my veins. Ganto pala feeling pag halos yakapin mo na yung taong mahal mo.
But later when I realized how little the space between our faces become, I felt uneasy. With a knitted eyebrows, he stare at me intently which drowned me instead. My heart started to race rapidly to the point that I regret doing this. Dammit!
"So this is how you play?"
He seized the gap between us, eyes remained still. As my mind went blank, my tummy felt a chaotic butterflies circulating furiously, I leave no choice but to step back so I did. However, he then also step closer.
"I-I-I w-w-was j-j-just kid-dding Kai." I stuttered. Eyes fixed at me, he continuously step closer while I continued to step back as well. Oh no, this is bad. Knowing his personality he won't stop until we get even.
Dito ko napatunayan na kelangan ko iimproved ang skill ko to think under pressure. Since I can't properly think how to stop this, as in ayoko na, I accept defeat, this is the only thing I can think of. Hana, dul, set...
He halted his step immediately. I feel his body stiffened maybe he never expected I'll do this, that I'll hug him out of the blue (which I kinda like it hahaha lande).
The hug lasted for minutes without anyone moving, yet no one speak a single word. Even I was so embarrassed that I can't even look at him. The only thing I can hear is the loud beating of my heart as if about to explode at any minute.
"Yeah nakarating na ko kuya. I'll just tell her. No prob—Kairo? Anong—?"
Sabay kaming napalingon sa kakapasok lang ng pinto at di sinasadyang naitulak ko si Kairo palayo. Mian.
"Oh! Xyle! Andyan ka na pala. Sorry di kita napansin hehehe."
Awkward akong ngumiti ng napadako ang tingin nya kay Kairo na nagpapagpag ng dumi sa damit na tila walang nangyare.
Gusto pa sanang mag-usisa ni Xyle kaya pinanlakihan ko ng mata. Madala ka sa tingin please.
Inukupa nya muna ang upuan malapit sakin bago nagsalita."Bat antahimik nyo naman? Di ako sanay, ahh about kani— "
I cut her off bago nya pa tuluyang maungkat ang hindi dapat. "Did my brother said anything? Why didn't he just call me instead para hindi ka na sana nag-abala pa?"
"I thought you'll say 'para hindi ka na sana nangabala p—"
"Ahh my battery died. I forgot to charge it. Btw, kumain ka na ba? May pizz—"
"Thars, yung papatulong sana ko sayo, yung acti—wait, excuse me" Hindi nya natapos ang sasabihin nya ng magring ang cellphone nya. He answer the call and go outside.
Finally, nakahinga din ako ng maluwag. Hindi pa ko nakakaupo ng hilahin ako ni Xyle papasok ng room ko at nagpaulan ng sandamakmak na tanong. I promise to tell her everything kahit yung ginawa kong kakahiyan later, kaya she insists na magsleep over dito.
Pagbalik namin sa sala andun na si Kairo, pinakiusap nya lang na gawan ko daw sya ng activity no. 7 which is I accepted, summary through illustration lang naman. Pahabol nya pa, babalikan na lang daw nya kinagabihan since may kelangan sya puntahan. Nag-advance 'thank you' pa sya before leaving completely.
Right after he left, pinaulanan na ako ng pang-aasar ni Xyle.
—
Monday night.
I washed myself up, before going straight to bed. Kakapagod mag aral ha hahahaha, plus tagahugas ka pa. Buti na lang di umuwi si kuya kaya ako lang mag isa, kunti lang huhugasan ko. Hihihi
I finally lay to bed. I glimpse at my phone hoping there will be messages from Kairo, sadly I found nothing. Geez that jerk! Ni thank you wala. Damn him. After ko matapos yung activity nya kahapon, he take it forcefully then stormed out of the room, problema nun? Even sa classroom, I never hear anything from him. Hayss
Hopeless romantic na tayo self. Itulog na lang natin to, maigi pa.
-
"Guys, sa quadrangle mamaya yung mga participant ng cheerdance. 1 pm sharp." Announce nung presidente ng klase. Sumang ayon naman lahat.
Foundation day is coming and everyone are expected to get busier. Lot of activities were lined up and one of those is cheerdance.
"Thara, sabay na tayo" Sigaw ni Xyle.
I nod at her then we proceed to quadrangle. Yea I'm a participant ng cheerdance and Xyle as well.
"Did Kairo talk to you already?" She asked while chewing bubble gum.
I looked at her with a pitiful eyes, heaved a deep sigh then continue walking.
"Not yet. I'm not hoping for it anyway." Liar!
She hit me jokingly. "Gaga. Stop making me laugh. I can see through you. "
She knows every single details about me including my unfathomable admiration kay Kairo. I never missed a tiny details to tell her regarding what's happening to me. She's my bestfriend afterall. A bestfriend should help you lessen the burden you're going through, right?
"Eh kasi naman, why don't you just forget him. As in, erase, erase, erase him in your life. Basic."
"How I wish ganun lang kadali." I sighed.
Hindi pa nagsstart yung practice but feeling ko drain na drain na ko. I don't have energy for the day.
"Hays pathetic. Buti pa kami ng bebe ko, we shared mutual feelings ahihihi. "
"Edi good for you. Punyeta, magbebreak na din kayo soonest." pang asar ko. Imbes na mainis, tinawanan lang ako ng gaga.
Althroughout the practice, my mind in disarray. I made couple of mistakes. Fortunately, the instructor is in a good mood. Less sermon for me. After a tiring damn practice, water break.
Agad nagkumpulan under the shady tree yung mga partipants. Green na green yung grasses tas tama lang pananggalang sa init yung mayayabong na dahon. Everyone formed a circle before having a conversation, Xyle even dragged me and I just sat down quitely.
Minutes passed, yet I just spacing out, I understand nothing on the topic. Hell I care anyway. Suddenly I notice pairs of eyes looking at me. I throw an innocent look at Xyle who just keep on smirking. The hell is going on?
"Your turn, Thara"
"Eh?Saan?" Lutang kong tanong.
They exchanged look as if I'm the only one out of this world, thus the only one who doesn't have idea what's going on, which is quite right.
Xyle break the silence. "Who's the one you like inside the campus daw?"
I was dumbfounded. I just sat here but that doesn't mean I'm with them at saka isa pa as if kaya kong ireveal kung sino. As if a coward like me have the courage to do such thing. Hell no.
"Dali na, atin atin lang to. Stop being killjoy" someone commented at sinabayan pa ng hiyawan ng lahat.
I looked at Xyle asking for help but damn this girl, she totally ignored me and just shrugged.
Leaving no choice to get out of this attention, I randomly pick a name.
Nakakatense yung mga titig nilang atat na atat makiusyuso. Damn!
I cleared my throat. My hands trembling, my heart even racing, but no way I'll drop Kairo's name especially andito si Naiza, and almost her friends.
"Uhm.. Winz Lee?" Alanganing tugon ko.
Sorry Winz Lee-whoever you are I just need to thread a lie just for now. Di ko alam san ko nakuha yung name hahahahaha but yaan na nga.
I close my eyes tightly, silently praying to be saved by this name I randomly picked. The surrounding suddenly fell silent. As if on cue, I open my eyes slowly just to see other faces smirking, teasing me around.
Eyes wide and red face out of embarassment, I immediately pull Xyle's arm beside me and run as fast as I could. I need to get out of here no matter what. I felt sorry dragging my bestfriend who unusually stay mute right now. I didn't look back even they call out my name.
When I see that no one around us anymore, I let go of her arm. Breathing heavily, I tried to calm myself down. Grabe ramdam ko pa din pagiinit ng mukha ko. Argh I feel like I'm out of breath. Geez that was so embarassing! Dammit!
"Phew I almost die out of embarassment. Dammit Xyle, this is all your fa—"
I never able to finish my sentence just in time when somebody very familiar called out my name.
"HOY XAYTHARA MENDEZ!"
I turn around to look for the owner of the voice, only to see my bestfriend, Xyle who called my name from a distance, waving at me. Hingal na hingal pa.
"XYLE?"
If andun si Xyle, then who on earth is this person I dragged?
"If andyan ka, then sino andito?" Hindi makapaniwalang bulalas ko.
Huminga muna sya ng malalim bago umimik.
"Why don't you ask him then?"
Slowly but cautiously, I spin my head in the direction where 'this person' is located.
Just who the hell is this guy?
He's fanning himself by his bare hands. Looking at me as if waiting for an explanation. Those thick eyebrows, sharp jawline, innocent hazel eyes, pointed nose, fair skin, pinkish lips, a perfectly sculpted face, hindi ko mapigilang humanga. An elegant, anime-looking man. Whoa?! Is he even real? He's wearing a varsity where eyes caught a familiar name that was beautifully emboidered.
I broke into cold sweat after reading the words lalo pa nang magsalita sya.
"Done checking me out?"
His manly voice made my heart thump like crazy and my lips quiver as the name I read sink in. I was loss of words as I step back carelessly, however, still I manage to read it aloud...
"LEE, WINZ JI. WINZ LEE?"
Hands cover my open mouth, eyebrows raised, eyes wide open, heart almost stop beating as he smile and nodded his head.
"Yes, I'm Winz Lee".
WAT DA HEL!
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Ranking 
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