Through the Light and Dark (Saudade Series #1)

Kabanata 3

Kabanata 3

Dinner

"Jaryllca, right?" 

Napalingon ako sa kung sino man ang nagsalita. Ibinaba niya ang hawak niyang camera at binalingan ako ng tingin.

Kunot-noo ko siyang tinitigan, thinking when and how did I meet him. But then, it gradually sank in me. He was the one who spilled a little bit of liquor on my blouse on Von's birthday! 'Yong muntik nang makabasag ng babasagin!

I couldn't help but roll my eyes, crossing my arms, not giving the attention to the man in front of me. 

It seemed like he has the same course as mine.

The classes were still ongoing, napaaga lang ang tapos ng klase namin dahil dito sa proyektong ito. Hindi pa naman sobrang hirap ng mga pinagagawa; I can still handle it.

Hindi ako nagsalita at itinikom lang ang bibig ko. 

Guilt suddenly crept in me... He has done nothing but why was I acting like this? Para namang pinagkait niya sa akin ang mundo kung makaasta ako nang ganito!

Instead of opening a topic, I just closed my eye while the other one was on the viewfinder, making sure that I was on the right angle before clicking the shutter button.

He cleared his throat. "Do you need some help?"

Doon na ako lumingon sa kaniya. I took off my camera's lace at my neck.

"I can handle myself." I smiled a bit at him. Marahan kong kinagat ang pang-ibaba kong labi at muli siyang tiningnan. "Paano mo nga pala nalaman ang pangalan ko?" mahina ang boses ko kaya hindi ako sigurado kung narinig niya ako.

Saka ko lang napansin ang hitsura niya. He had this charming aura that could make every girl fall. Burst fade ang gupit ng buhok niya. Ang ilong niya'y halos manunusok na sa sobrang tangos nito. His monolid eyes were dark brown. Maninipis at mapupula ang kaniyang mga labi, at puti ang kulay ng balat niya.

"Nakita lang kita kanina pagpasok mo, I asked my friend if he knows you... Ayon, Jaryllca is your name raw." He chuckled softly.

I just nodded at him and stared at the soccer field. The trees danced when the wind blew, and the birds were chirping; it was like a music to my ears. This place is my haven in our school.

"Hindi pa rin nalilinis 'yong fish pond, ano?"

Narinig ko ang mahina niyang pagtawa matapos niya itong sabihin. Miski ako rin ay napangiti. 

Totoo, marumi pa rin ito kaya naman hindi na nag-aalaga ng mga isda roon. Mayroon ding malaking bahay sa tabi ng fish pond para sa mga hayop tulad ng rabbit at mga ibon.

"Sayang nga, eh. Mas gaganda ang school kung malinis 'yon." Nagkibit-balikat ako at umiling.

Naupo ako sa may damuhan. Ginaya niya ako, sabay tikhim. 

Mukhang may mga itatanong o baka sasabihin siya.

"Communication Arts ka rin?"

Tinanguan ko siya. Halata namang pati siya, eh. Kaya pala pamilyar.

"Ka-block kita sa isa o dalawa yatang major."