Unexpected Strings

DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, businesses, events, and incidents are either the products of the authors imagination or used in a fictitious manner.

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I'm Calista Clarke. A fourth year Law student. Studying in the University of Baguio.

Simula noong limang taong gulang ako, all I ever wanted was a prince charming. Those princes that will show up to save their princess, a knight and shining armor kumbaga. Noong teenager naman ako, I want a man who can provide for me in the future. Yung mga tipong mabait at basta kaya niya akong protektahan at mamahalin ako habang buhay. Yun lang naman kasi talaga ang halos pangarap ng lahat.

How idealistic, right?

But little did I know that when Im about to turn twenty-six, someone came unexpectedly.

Masungit. Matangkad. Snub siya sa totoo lang. He doesnt speak that much but when he does, he speaks with substance. Siya yung tipo ng tao na marami kang matututunan sakaniya.

Hindi ko gusto yung mga masusungit at snub. Well technically, hindi nga naman kasi magkakilala noon kaya ganoon yung first interaction namin.

"May nakaupo ba dito?" Tanong ko sa isang lalaki na naka-hoodie, may suot na salamin at nagbabasa ng libro. I think it's a medical book about pregnant women.

Nag-angat naman kaagad siya ng tingin saakin. I can immediately sense the awkward atmosphere circling around us because our eyes met.

Ilang Segundo din siyang nakatingin saakin that's why it was more awkward. I mean, he could easily say 'meron' if may naka-upo na,diba? But instead, nakakunot lang ang dalawang kilay niya.

I cleared my throat to ease the awkwardness. "Ah-hm, meron ba? Sige." I was about to leave when he spoke.

"No one's sitting there." He coldly said.

"Ah, ganon ba. Sige, pahiram na din ng konting space sa table." Pakiusap ko. "I won't occupy naman the whole space. I just need ng patungan." I explained.

Nag-angat naman siya ng tingin saakin at ang talim ng titig.

"I'm not asking, woman."

And yeah, that's what he said tapos hindi ko na lang siya pinansin that time since I also had to review my notes.

Dumaan din ang ilang buwan na may konting interactions. And every time we had an interaction, it would always end up into an argument.

SECOND INTERACTION

"Can I see your bag?" Yun agad ang una niyang sinabi saakin ngayong nandito kami sa hallway.

"Why would I?" I asked and raised a brow. Ang random ba naman, bigla akong kinausap sa gitna ng daan. Tapos tatanungin kung pwedeng Makita ang laman ng bag ko? Sira ba 'to?

"I think you got one of my index card when we were in the library." He said.

"Library? That was two months ago, bro. Tapos ngayong mo lang hahanapin?"

Putek na 'yan. Dalawang buwan na noong nagawa ko pang umupo sa harap niya. I mean, I still see him at the library but after our first interaction, I didn't get the guts to talk to him again at nakisama naman ang tadhana saakin kasi lagi akong may naabutang vacant seats.