Dahlia's Lover

CHAPTER 10

Physical Attraction

"S-Sino k-ka...?" he unbelievably said.

I hold the green umbrella at pinayungan siya. I eyed him from head to toe. Umawang ang aking labi nang makita ko ang samu't-saring candies na nakakalat sa sahig. There are so many variety of sweets. Most of them already opened but some are aren't. Natunaw na ang mga tsokolate dala ng ulan.

Oh, god. Why is this happening? I looked at Hans and I almost didn't recognize him because of the dirt and sweat that is written on his face. Nakatungo lamang siya sa akin at nakatingin sa lupa. His hair is disheveled. Malamlam ang kaniyang mata na namumula, visible rin sa paningin ko ang dumudugo niyang labi. Nanlambot ang aking mga kalamnan. Hindi ko inaasahan na makakita ako ng ganitong pangyayari, sa mismong estudyante ko pa.

I touched his right arm. Cold. His whole body is trembling because of the cold. If I have only one jacket, I would give it to him and let him wear it. Ngunit maging ako ay nanlalamig na rin dahil sa ulan, idagdag pa ang malakas na ihip ng hangin dito sa rooftop. This skirt is so short, and the uniform is tiny. The fabric of my clothes was so thin that the water quickly entered my body.

I composed myself. "What are you doing here? Are you okay? May masakit ba sa 'yo?"

I asked him one more time. Pero hindi pa rin sumasagot ang estudyante ko. He seems pre-occupied of what is happening.

"Mr. Nueva? Answer me. Sumagot ka sa akin kung naririnig mo ako." my voice become strained. Niyugyog ko ang balikat ni Hans, nagbabaka-sakaling bumalik ang isip niya sa nangyayari.

Hinilamos ko ang palad sa aking mukha. The umbrella started to broke because of the strong wind. Malakas ang puwersa ng hangin kaya hindi ko na namalayang nabitawan ko na ang payong. Nagka-putol-putol iyon at instant.

I was panting. Hard. Walang tigil ang pagbuhos ng ulan sa aming dalawa. The fabric of my shirt is so wet, marami nang tumutulong tubig mula roon.

I reached for his right hand. "Okay.... let's just do this. I will hold your hand... and we will run.... together, until we would make it to the exit... Do you understand—"

"Bakit ka ba nandito? Sinabi ko ba na magpunta ka dito? Hindi ba wala ka nang pakialam sa akin? Anong ginagawa mo rito? Gusto mo na ba akong mawala? Nagpunta ka ba rito para... p-para... para patayin ako?"

I blinked. Is he dumbfounded? I think that he's having an anxiety attack right now that's why he didn't know what is happening.

Pinagpantay ko ang agwat naming dalawa at pinisil ang kaniyang kamay. "Look, Hans... It's me." I forced him to looked at me. "This is Dahlia, your teacher. I am here because I was finding you. Again, ako ito. Your homeroom teacher, Dahlia. Ako lang ang kaharap mo ngayon at wala nang iba. I am here to save you, okay?"

His gaze looked upon me. Hans bloodshot eyes met mine, it was full of loneliness. There's already a lines between his eyes and forehead. Visible sa akin ang itim sa ilalim ng talukap ng kaniyang mata. Hans mouth is slightly opened.

He looks so tired. And suddenly, a question crossed into my mind. How could a happy teenager boy experienced this kind of situation? Pag-aalala, takot.... ngunit mas naibabaw sa akin ang awa.