Artificial Love | SB19 Justin ✓

5

The week passed by quickly. Paano kasi, gatambak ng schoolwork ang ginawa ni Ayi.

Because most of her schoolwork required her to attend group meetings, she only really went home to sleep.

And Justin? He was ignored for most of the time. Madalas, parang anino nalang siya ni Ayi.

That Friday, Ayi forgot to drop off Justin at Sejun and Stell's house before going to class. Hindi niya naman ito maihatid dahil may klase siya. She could only either leave him out of their classroom or ask her professor for permission to let him sit in.

At dahil nga delikadong iwan si Justin sa labas, she settled for the latter.

"Miss, excuse me, pwede po ba siyang maki-sit in?" Tanong ni Ayi sa propesor bago pa man makapasok sa classroom.

"Pwede naman, Aaliyah." Mabuti nalang at mabait ang prof niya. Pero bigla itong nagtanong, "Boyfriend mo?"

She felt her cheeks get hotter. Hindi siya nakapaghanda para rito.

"Ah, o-opo," sagor niya nalang.

"Sige, pasok na."

Gaya sa grocery, pinagkaguluhan din ng ilang kaklase ni Ayi si Justin.

"Uy, Aaliyah. Sino tong kasama mo?" Tanong ng isa.

"Bodyguard ko," sagot nalang ni Ayi.

"Weh. Bakit mo naman kailangan non? Boyfriend mo no?" Singit pa ng isa.

"Hindi," Ayi denied.

Sumabat pa yung isa sa pinakakinaiinisan niyang kaklase. "Paano niya magiging boyfriend e diba Aaliyah doesn't like skinship?"

"Weirdo," Ayi also heard her say. Besides that, may sinabi rin ito tungkol sa pagiging germophobe daw ni Ayi.

Buti nalang, nagsalita na ang prof. "Class, please settle down now."

But she also called Justin's attention, "Hijo?"

Tumingin si Justin sa paligid, hindi sigurado kung siya ba ang tinutukoy. "Yes, you, young man."

"Could you please introduce yourself? You seem to be a nice young lad," sabi pa ng prof.

Napa-face palm nalang si Ayi. Patay. Paano kung hinanap ng mga kaklase siya si Justin It was a mistake bringing him to class.

Nonetheless, Justin gamely spoke.

"Hi po." Ngumiti siya. "Ako po si Justin. Kaibigan ni Aaliyah."

Ayi was surprised he knew what to do in their situation. Mukhang mas mas composed pa nga kaysa sa kanya ang robot. Sabagay, hindi naman ito nakakaramdam ng takot.

"Kaibigan? Wehh??" React ulit ng ibang kaklase niya.

"Opo," Justin innocently answered, still smiling.

"Justin, ano last name mo?" Tanong ng isang kaklase ni Ayi.

Sa puntong iyon, naka-red alert na si Ayi. Handa na siyang hilain palabas ng classroom si Justin. Ida-drop niya na rin yung subject para hindi na niya kailangang makita ang mga classmate niya rito.

"Secret po," sagot ni Justin.

"Secret? May lahi kang Amerikano?" Asked the girl Ayi disliked the most.

Tanga. Secret as in ayaw niyang sabihin. Malandi ka, Ayi wanted to say. Buti nalang at may ibang nagsabi dito.

"Justin, may Facebook ka? Instagram? Twitter?" Tanong ng pinaka-ayaw niyang kaklase.