Aftertaste

Seven

Last year, I was the talk in the campus because of the issue I had during my last year in junior high. I was accused of doing something for my own selfishness where in fact, I did it to protect myself.

Today, my first day as a grade 12 student, I can feel the nostalgia as I'm walking through Sun Valley University's Senior High School hallway. Only that the difference is the students weren't talking shits about me anymore. I saw some students taking pictures of me, some are greeting me with a smile on their faces, and some just don't give a damn.

Aaminin ko. Noong una ay ayoko ng atensyon na nakukuha ko sa iba. I wanted to have a peaceful life but with the things my parents are making me do, I knew I won't have peace. I never craved for anyone's attention until I tasted his.

My lips automatically lifted into a smile when I saw him talking to one of his friend. Tumigil ako sa paglalakad at itinutok ang camera ng phone ko sa naka side view na si Killian. Mas lalong nadepina ang matangos nyang ilong at magandang ngiti. I focused the lens on him and adjusted the lighting to make it look good.

As I capture his side profile, I felt my heart racing. May sinabi ang kaibigan nya na dahilan ng paglipat nya ng tingin saakin. Ngumiti sya at kumaway. I slowly put my phone down as my smile started to melt.

Do I like him? Or I am slowly falling in love?

Nakipag-apir sya sa kausap bago tinahak ang daan papunta sa gawi ko.

"Hi!" Masigla nyang bati. Kakauwi lang nila kagabi pero dumiretso sya sa bahay para makita ako. He wanted to eat ice cream with me but I told him to rest and promised him a date.

"Hey..." Bati ko. Bumaba ang tingin nya sa hawak kong phone.

"Can I see?" Tukoy nya sa litratong kinuha ko kanina. I quickly type in my passcode and showed him the picture I took. "Woah!" Mangha nyang ani at ni-zoom pa ang litrato. "I look good here."

You always do. I wanted to say, but instead I told him,

"I know, right?" Kinagat ko ang labi nang ibaling nya ang tingin saakin.

"Ang ganda." Mahina nyang ani. Sinulyapan ko sya at nakitang nakatingin pa din sya saakin. Tumikhim ako at inagaw ang phone sakanya.

"Can I post this? This will look good in my feed."

He let out a soft chuckle before crouching to meet my eyes.

"Kinikilig ako." Marahan nyang sabi at nagpigil ng ngiti. I blinked twice was about to say something when my friends came.

"Wow! Romance sa gitna ng campus!" Vance sang and walk his way in between us.

"Maganda eh!" Pang aasar ni Astrid at inakbayan kaming dalawa ni Killian. "Mamaya nyo na tuloy ang paglalandian at baka ma-late na tayo." Aniya at kinaladkad kami.

"Wait up!" Nilingon ko si Nash at natawa nang makitang sabog pa ang buhok nya at hindi nasasara ng maayos ang uniform.

"Bahala ka dyan!" Astrid teased and fasten her pace.

"I'm still bummed that your friends wouldn't let me join you in your seat." Killian pouted as we stepped out of the classroom.

Gusto nya kasi ako makatabi sa klase pero hindi sya pinayagan ng tatlo. Kahit minsan man lang daw eh maghiwalay kami. Sinabi tuloy ni Killian na almost three weeks din kami di nagkita pero walang patawad ang tatlo.

"Hayaan mo na. You're still courting me so..." I shrugged. Umismid sya.

"Magiging boyfriend mo din naman ako. Hays." He reached for my hand and entertwined our fingers.