Campus Royalties (Kingdom University, #1) | Published under Psicom Publishing

Chapter 27

Hindi ko alam kung naka-ilang buntonghininga na ako ngayong araw dahil kay Darryl. Realizing my growing feelings while he was just right next to me was such a dangerous situation. I thought I could still dispel this feeling toward him, but our latest conversations and interactions made me unbearably aware of his charms, and his unexpected vulnerability and gentlessness.

Muli akong napatingin sa kanya. He fell asleep on the couch while I was trying to play the guitar again after failing the first time. Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko dahil ang lakas pa rin ng tibok ng puso ko. How could this guy right here mess my head and heart this bad?

"Hindi na ako magugulat kung matunaw 'yang si Darryl maya-maya."

Halos mapatalon ako nang marinig ko ang boses ni Alice at ang pagtawa ni Jess sa likuran ko. My face turned beet red after realizing that I was staring at him for far too long.

"N-nakabalik na pala kayo," I commented, trying to shift the topic to something else.

They just returned from their shopping trip, and it was embarrassing that they caught me watching him closely. The two looked at me with a teasing smile on their faces. Even Tricia was trying to suppress a chuckle. Parang gusto ko na tuloy tumakbo sa kuwarto ko dahil sa hiya pero mas magiging obvious 'pag gano'n ang ginawa ko.

"Tara na at baka nakakaistorbo tayo," pang-aasar ni Jess at hinatak niya si Alice palayo habang umakyat naman si Tricia sa kuwarto niya.

Mabuti na lang talaga at mukhang malalim ang tulog niya kaya hindi siya nagising noong dumating sila.

To calm my nerves, I went to the bathroom and washed my face. Nagulat ako nang makita ko sa salamin kung gaano kapula ang mukha ko, at parang gusto ko na lang lamunin ng lupa nang ma-realize kong ganito ang itsura ko nang makita ako kanina nina Alice.

I decided to take a walk to get the distracting thoughts out of my head. Paglabas ko ay nakita ko sina Roj at Ven sa may bandang infinity pool at nasa kanila na ang gitara. She said they were rivals, but they looked close. Was there something else going on between them?

Naglakad ako papunta sa kabilang side ng hill. Fortunately, the air was still cold even if it was already noon, so walking wasn't that exhausting. I stopped short when I saw Yna taking photos of the scenery in front of us.

"Nandito ka pala," I remarked, prompting her to turn around.

She had always loved capturing photos of scenic views, so I guess it shouldn't have been surprising to find her here. Umupo ako sa tabi niya habang chine-check niya ang pictures sa phone niya.

"Why are you here, Steff?" she asked. "I thought you were with your bebe boy."

That horrifying pet name sent shivers down my spine. Kahit cute ang pagkakasabi niya ay nanindig pa rin ang mga balahibo ko. I must have been grimacing so hard because Yna snickered.

"Eh ikaw?" I returned. "Why are you here?"

She pursed her lips and started fumbling her phone. "Not really close with the rest, so it feels awkward for me."

Napangiti naman ako dahil naalala ko kung paano kami naging friends noong high school. Seatmate kami ni Alice noong first year dahil sa surnames namin. She was already loud and friendly to begin with, so it was easy for her to talk to other people. One time, nagkaroon ng groupings and wala pang kasama si Yna kaya naman tinawag siya ni Alice para tatlo kami. And that started everything.

Yna and I weren't the sociable type, and it was only through Alice's outgoing personality that the three of us became friends. Siya rin ang maraming iba pang kakilala noong high school compared sa amin ni Yna. Kaya nga thankful din ako na nasali sa circle namin si Jess para naman mayroon siyang ka-wavelength. Those two did hit off easily.