Head in the Sand (Erudite Series #3)

Kapitulo 12

I got home at around four in the afternoon. Sinamahan din ako ni Graham pauwi para hindi ako maligaw. I bought him lunch when we got to Magallanes a while ago. He was very awkward with it. Still, he accepted it. I figured he wasn't used to being treated to a meal. Well, masasanay rin siya since ilang beses pa niya ako tuturuan. Tapos, tuturuan niya rin ako pumuntang QC at Mandaluyong.

For the rest of the weekend, I did different school works outside of my condo. I wanted to go to Lara, actually, on Sunday, but I still wasn't 100% sure I wouldn't get lost. So, I settled on going to España again. I went to the place where I drank barako in.

I closed my eyes and rested my head on the back of the couch. I had been reading for three hours now. Marami namang nabawas sa mga kailangan kong basahin, pero may kailangan pa rin akong matapos basahin by tonight for tomorrow.

I glanced at the other students and people in the cafe before facing the front. There were some embroideries on the walls. Ang mga disenyo ay tila galing sa... isang komunidad na indigenous. Kakaiba kasi ang patterns, e. I see those types of designs whenever I saw a cultural post on the internet.

My papers, tablet, and laptop were all on my table. My feet were on the soft couch I was sitting in. The cold breeze from the aircon was making me clasp my chilly hands together and keep them in the pocket of my hoodie.

I drank from my hot strong coffee and read again.

When the door opened—I heard it because of the bell attached to it, it always rings with every little movement of the door—my eyes moved to see who came. Nagkatinginan kami ng dumating. I even stopped blinking.

Should I greet him? Wave my hand or mouth a 'hi'?

Before I could decide, the person who came in, Graham, walked to the empty table opposite mine. Now, we were face-to-face.

Babatiin ko ba 'to?

It's the polite thing to do, right?

So, I waved at him when his eyes met mine.

Nahinto siya sa ginagawa—nilalapag niya ang mga art materials niya sa table—at nakipagtitigan sa akin.

'Di man lang nag-wave back 'to.

Binalik ko na lang ang mga mata ko sa laptop ko dahil mukhang magpe-pretend lang naman siyang 'di niya ako nakita. Grabe, kahit 'hi' man lang 'di puwede porket 'di kami friends?

Ang petty ko pakinggan.

Ba't ba ako bothered?

I sighed and read again quietly until I felt someone standing near my table after a few minutes. My head moved and saw Graham staring at me. Tumaas ang isa kong kilay at nagtaka. Kanina ayaw mo ako i-acknowledge, tapos ngayon nandito ka. Ano'ng trip nito?

He opened his mouth but no words came out from him. So, my mouth also opened in puzzlement. Then, he held his hand and waved at me before walking back to his table.

I almost let out a laugh when he began to do what he intended to do in coming here. Instead, I smiled and shook my head.

Arte pa, papansinin din naman pala ako.

When dinnertime came, I stretched out my arms and looked around the place. Ibang tao na ang nasa paligid ko. Kaming dalawa lang ni Graham ang nanatili. I had been yawning nonstop since I came here, so I figured I was too tired to continue.

I began to fix my papers and gadgets when I noticed Graham's table. Maraming plates do'n, may kinukulayan siya at may naka-line up sa gilid niya na mga papel. Siguro pati 'yon ay kukulayan niya.

Lumapit ako sa kaniya bago umalis.

"Hey, I'll go ahead." He merely looked at me before giving a slow nod.