Take Me Home (City Series #4)

Chapter Twelve

L

He is evil. And a jerk. And a horrible person!

Sasabihin niyang gusto niya ako tapos hindi niya ako kakausapin?! Not even a good morning text the next day!

Oh, and I waited! Pero wala pa ring paramdam. Hindi man lang nag-sabi ng good luck before our exams started! And he was seated right beside me!

The whole week, he was just—poof—gone! I refused to look at him. I refused to talk to him. But I expected him to approach me naman! Anong klase naman daw 'yon? Aamin tapos hindi lalapit?!

And now, kahit na naka-upo na kaming lahat sa classroom at nag-aantay ng bell para mag-exam ulit, hindi pa rin siya nagsasalita!

I looked at Ethan who was playing the guitar and Miggy who visited us from the other classroom. It's our last two exams this afternoon, and after that, we're finished.

And Z still hasn't talked to me.

"Ilang awit pa ba ang aawitin, o giliw ko?" biglang kanta nina Miggy. "Ilang ulit pa ba ang uulitin, o giliw ko?"

"Tatlong oras na akong nagpapa-cute sa'yo. 'Di mo man lang napapansin ang bagong t-shirt ko." Z joined in with the two. "Ilang isaw pa ba ang kakainin, o giliw ko?"

"Ulul, 'di ka naman kumakain ng isaw!" Tumawa si Miggy kaya siniko siya ni Z.

"Gagawin ko ang lahat pati ang thesis mo, h'wag mo lang ipagkait ang hinahanap ko." Z sang and sat beside me. Nginitian niya ako, kaya naman humalukipkip ako.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at inirapan.

"Sagutin mo lang ako, aking sinta'y walang humpay na ligaya. Aasahang iibigin ka, sa tanghali, sa gabi, at umaga." He grinned. "H'wag ka sanang mag-tanong at mag-duda."

I heard his chair scooting closer to mine, but I avoided his gaze. Tumingin lang ako sa harap.

Napatingin ulit ako sa kaniya nang bigla niyang kunin ang kamay ko. He buried it in his arms as he rested it on the armchair. He rested his head on his arms, and slept.

Napatingin ako kina Ethan na naka-ngisi na ngayon.

Sinubukan kong bawiin ang kamay ko, but he held onto it even tighter. Para tuloy akong hindi maka-hinga.

It was one thing when he was sweet and I didn't know that he liked me. It was easy to assume that he was just friendly.

But now? Grabe, para akong tumakbo ng marathon sa sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko.

Lumingon ulit ako kina Miggy. Wala pa sina Mage dahil bumili sila ng snacks, at hindi rin naman kami tinitignan ng iba naming mga kaklase. Pero nahihiya pa rin ako!

Mabuti at pagka-ring ng bell, binitawan niya na ako at nag-ayos rin ng upuan. I tried my best to look unaffected, but I'm pretty sure Z was holding back a smile, which irritated me even more.

Sabi niya, ayaw niyang mag-bigay ng mixed signals?! What is he doing now?!

I shook my head and proceeded to prepare for our exams. Mas maaga akong natapos sa exams namin kaya lumabas na kaagad ako ng classroom at pumunta sa waiting shed.

It's Friday and the last day of our exams, so I think my brother's going out to drink with his friends. Kaya naman magta-taxi nalang ako pauwi.

Mabilis akong naka-para ng taxi, for the first time. Once I got home, I threw myself at the couch and let out a big sigh.

"I hate you, Enrique." I pouted and checked my phone.

Napa-tayo nalang ako nung nakita ko ang pangalan ni Z sa messenger ko. I immediately opened it and read his message.