Attain The Sky (Engineer Series #2)

▪ seventeen

"If you don't mind, I just want to ask you if you want to eat with me outside?" Keith smiled sheepishly.

Kahit na hindi ko pa mas'yadong kilala si Keith, magaan na ang loob ko sa kan'ya. Kung may masamang intensyon nga siya sa akin, bakit hindi niya ginawa no'n sa Saldivar Street? Bakit mas pinili niyang iligtas ako? I may find him weird but I know that he is kind and it is hard for him to express it through words. I can see that he is introvert and really not interested with the people around him.

"Sure, sure, I don't mind," nakangiti kong sagot.

He smiled genuinely. Hindi niya ata namalayan na nahawakan niya ang aking kamay dahil sa saya, though wala lang naman 'yon sa akin dahil hinawakan lang naman niya ako. Hindi naman ibig sabihin na porket hinawakan, may gusto na agad. Hindi ba puwedeng hinawakan niya ako dahil expression niya at saka excited siya?

Kung puwede ko lang tusukin mga mata ng mga mai-issue kong schoolmates, e. Akala mo naman talaga sila 'yong hinawakan. May nakita pa akong nagbubulong-bulongan sa gilid habang nakatingin sa akin.

Ay, wow, teh, h'wag mas'yadong halata. Hindi naman ako nagchi-cheat kay Sky kasi hindi naman kami. Duh.

"Dito ka pala nag-aaral? How come hindi kita nakikita?" I asked, smiling.

"How would you know if your eyes are only for Sky? Saka, hindi rin naman kasi ako mahilig lumibot," he shrugged his shoulders.

I am done with training and my classes for today. Sky is still busy with I don't know. He didn't text me as of now so okay, baka maraming ginagawa. And besides, I saw Keith a while ago in cafeteria. He is alone and eating quietly. I know that it was Keith because of his familiar aura and of course, I was right that it was Keith so when I saw him, I greeted him loudly. Hindi ko na napigilan ang aking bibig dahil sa excitement kaya hindi ko na ininda ang kahihiyan na aking natamo.

"Wow, small word."

"Na-uh. I was a transferee year ago," he uttered.

"Naglalaro ka football?"

"No, tennis," maikli niyang sagot.

"Wow! My ex is a tennis player that's why I know the rules and I know how to play that sport!" I said excitedly.

Nagningning ang aking mga mata dahil sa nalaman. I can't believe it! Kung titingnan mo si Keith, mukhang siya 'yong tipong hindi mahilig sa sports. 'Yong tipong tamad siyang kumilos sa kahit ano kaya nang malaman ko na athlete siya, nakakaantig talaga ng damdamin.

"Bakit hindi kita nakita no'ng laban niyo? I was there. Sabay ang laban natin last year kaya pa'nong hindi kita nakita?"

He was stunned for a minute. Nabahiran ng kaba ang kan'yang mga mata ngunit mabilis itong napawi nang maramdaman niyang titig na titig ako sa kan'ya. Mapakla siyang natawa at ginulo ang aking buhok. Napatingin ako sa paligid dahil sa ginawa niya. Napailing ako at nailang sa mapanuring tingin ng mga schoolmate namin.

"How would you notice me if you are busy that time? You are the captain of the team, right? I saw you talking with your teammates. Mabilis din namang naghiwalay ang landas natin no'n dahil nasa ibang venue kami," malumanay niyang sagot sa aking tanong.

Tumango na lamang ako at hindi na dinagdagan pa ang aking huling tanong upang makaalis na kami at maiwasan ang mga judgmental kong schoolmates. I rolled my eyes once again and gritted my teeth. What the hell is wrong with them? Bakit mas'yadong ma-issue ang mga tao ngayon?

"Keith, can we go now? I am not comfortable here," mahina kong saad sa kan'ya.

"Alright," aniya.