Chasing in the Wild (University Series #3)

09

"Saan ka pupunta, Eli? Uwi ka na? Bye!" 

Nagmamadali kong kinuha ang gamit ko, hindi pa nakakapagpalit ng shirt. I waved at Ate Raya and others before leaving. Nilabas ko ang phone ko at nakitang ten-thirty na nang gabi. It was Wednesday night and Sevi messaged me to say that he'll be waiting for me after my training. 

Huminto ako sa kakatakbo at kakahanap sa kaniya nang makita siyang nakaupo sa may steps ng hagdan malapit sa pinag-training-an namin. He stood up when he saw me. Umiinom pa siya ng ice tubig or something. 

"I told you, let's just meet sa Sunday before the game," sabi ko kaagad pagkalapit. "So you won't have to wait here. It's almost eleven!" 

Tumayo siya at napakamot sa ulo niya dahil sa sermon ko. "Okay lang. Huwag kang magalit." 

"Anyway..." I sighed. "Congratulations."

May laban sila kanina sa FEU and they won! Nabalitaan ko lang sa Twitter pero hindi ako nakanood dahil may training kami. He wanted to give me the tickets and the shirt today but this was my only free time. Busy ako buong araw. 

"Thank you. Sana makapasok sa finals." He smiled at me.

I noticed that he was still wearing his jersey shorts, but he changed his shirt into white. Mukhang hindi pa umuuwi galing sa game. 

"Mabigat ba? Akin na." Kinuha niya ang duffle bag ko kahit may backpack siyang dala. 

"Kuya Roel's waiting in the parking but... Uh, we can get him food?" 

"May bukas na fast food dyan." Tumango siya at naglakad na.

Sumunod ako sa kaniya, lumalayo dahil nako-conscious ako kung amoy pawis ba 'ko dahil kagagaling ko lang sa training. My eyes widened when he put his hand on my shoulder to pull me closer to him because of the bicycle. 

Agad akong lumayo sa kaniya nang makadaan ang bicycle. I looked away, feeling awkward now. 

"Bakit ba ang layo mo?" Kumunot na ang noo niya.

"I think I smell like sweat." I bit my lower lip and looked at him. 

Lumapit ulit siya sa 'kin kaya napaatras ako. I stiffened when he leaned on my neck and sniffed on it a little. I felt his breath on it. The tip of his perfect nose almost touched my jaw! 

"Hindi naman ah," sabi niya nang umayos na ulit ng tayo. "Amoy pabango." 

"Anong pabango pala?" I tried to ask while walking. 

"Johnson's baby cologne?"

Agad ko siyang hinampas sa braso kaya napailag siya at humawak pa rin sa braso niya kahit dumaplis lang naman. He laughed and walked faster so I wouldn't catch him.