THE GIRL IN THE BOOKSTORE

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟐

𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐲'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕:

I woke up because I felt something heavy in my stomach, and I saw Thalia's legs on top of me. She's here in my condo because she decided to stay for the meantime. I carefully moved to remove her legs on my stomach because she was quite heavy. After I successfully removed her legs I sat down, stretched, and looked at her peacefully sleeping.

It's just 5 am, and it's still dark, so I decided to go out for a while. The cool breeze greeted me as I opened the door. Inhaling the air, I smiled. I wanted to take a walk outside my condo since there are lights around. Opting for the stairs instead of the elevator, after just three steps down, I felt something unusual—sensing someone following me. I looked behind, but I didn't see anyone, so I dismissed it and continued walking.

Reaching the second floor (my room is on the 3rd floor), as I walked down the steps, I glimpsed a familiar figure moving swiftly, almost like a breeze. Surprised and curious, I hid by the wall, and if I'm not mistaken, the guy standing in front of someone's door is Zach.

I saw him getting the key from his pocket, and 'di kalaunan, he covertly unlocked the door. From a distance, I observed his every action. His movements appeared dubious, as if he was concealing something. I couldn't help but wonder and remained silent while thinking about what he's doing here. All I know is this isn't his condo. Maybe he's visiting someone?

I paused in my thoughts when I heard a footstep behind me, but when I looked, there was no one there. It felt weird, so I quickly left and headed to the last stair to get out from here.

Naglalakad ako ngayon habang naghahanap ng malapit na restaurant, ng maalala kong wala nga pala akong dalang wallet at nakalimutan ko rin ang phone ko. Oh gosh, I'm so lutang. Kaya napagdesisyonan ko na lang na bumalik sa condo nang biglang may bumangga sa akin.

"Kensley?!" Gulat si Astrid nang mapagtanto nyang ako ang nabangga nya. Based on her looks, she's jogging dahil naka leggings sya at sport bra lang.

"Gosh, you didn't even say sorry after you bumped me?" Pagsusungit ko sa kanya na tinawanan nya lang.

"Ikaw kasi dika tumabi." Aba gago, ano 'to, victim-blaming? I just rolled my eyes at her, and akmang aalis na sana ako ng hawakan nya ang braso ko, kaya agad akong napatingin sa kanya habang nakataas ang isang kilay.

"I'm sorry, dika naman mabiro. But anyway, what are you doing here kiaga-aga?" Nagtataka nyang tanong sa akin, pero imbes na sagutin sya, tiningnan ko lang ang kamay nyang nakahawak pa rin sa braso ko, dahilan naman para bitawan nya ito.

"Tara, coffee treat ko." Nakangiti nyang aya sa akin.

"I don't drink coffee." Pag-amin ko sa kanya dahil hindi rin naman kasi ako pwede sa kape.

"Okay, how about we go to a nearby restaurant and have our breakfast?" Mukha kang tanga kakangiti, Astrid. Kaya tinangoan ko na lang sya.

Habang naglalakad kami, naisipan kong tanongin siya kung bakit siya nandito.

"Why are you here anyway?" I asked her with a curious tone.

"Kasi wala ako doon." Turo niya sa kabilang side ng nilalakaran namin, and I boringly looked at her.

"HAHAHAH ang seryoso mo palagi, mabilis kang tatanda niyan." Aba, siraulo pala 'to ah.

"But you're the one who looks like a granny here."Rebat ko naman sa kanya kaya natigil siya sa pagtawa at sumimangot. Astrid is gorgeous, kahit sumimangot sya, mukha pa rin syang tao tingnan. But syempre, I'm not gonna tell her that she's gorgeous, baka lumaki pa yung ulo nya.

"Stop pouting; you look like a monkey." Hindi naman ito makapaniwalang napatingin sakin.

"Okay, I'm here dahil nag-jojogging ako." Omg, mauubos na pasensya ko dahil sa kanya, malamang based on her outfit e.