End.
"Sabi ni Madelyn, hindi ka raw pumasok kahapon? Anyare?"
I looked at Kit, "Something just happened."
I gathered my things scattered on the table while Kit just stared at me, parang hindi siya naniniwala sa sagot ko. Kahapon lang nangyari na hindi ako nakapasok sa mga klase, without notice or something. Mabuti na lang walang malalang nangyari sa loob ng klase habang wala ako.
"May ka-date ka kahapon? Nagmamadali kang umalis ngayon, ah? Uy, anong name ng chix mo?"
I glared at him, "Pota ka, wala."
"Ano ba 'yan, Carson! Ga-graduate kang walang jowa? Diba uso sayo yung kissing scene sa graduation?"
I snorted. Palagi niya akong tinutulak na magka-girlfriend na.
He tried to set me up with some girls he knew but it never worked. I really don't like commitments.
I don't want to have responsibilities for others more than the responsibility I have for myself.
It seems like a burden to me so I couldn't have one. Nakakatakot sumugal ngayon.
"Club tayo. Ano?" He asked when we reached our floor.
"Pass."
"Gago, Carson! Iba na 'yan, ah? Bakit feeling ko babae ang rason kung bakit tinatanggihan mo na ang pagca-club?" Pang-aasar pa niya.
"I have a stereotype to take care of. Next time, Kit."
Wala na siyang magawa nang pagsaraduhan ko siya ng pintuan. I never thought I'd be looking for nice clothes to wear just because I'm going to that coffee house.
Naiwan ko ang ID ko roon kaya hindi ako nakapasok sa school kahapon. Hindi ko rin ma-contact si Gianna Felongco, na server doon sa coffee house.
I messaged her yesterday but she hasn't replied. I tried calling her also but unreachable. Kaya ngayon, babalik ako.
But then, she's not around. She's nowhere in sight. I looked at my wristwatch, ala-sais na. Baka umuwi na?
I ran my hand through my hair in frustration and went home disappointed. That night, I felt relieved when she replied.
That was the night where everything started.
Noong nagtanong siya kung paano ko nalaman ang pangalan niya, my answer was kind of a lie. Hindi ko siya nakilala dahil tinanong ko kay Kit. Sa pagkakaalam ko, natipuhan ni Kit si Gianna pero hindi sumubok manligaw because she had a boyfriend before.
He never stood a chance at all.
Ako kaya?
What the fuck are you thinking, Carson? Gago ka ba?
Napailing-iling ako sa iniisip. I looked at my watch, irritated at how long it was taking her. Hanggang sa may natanggap na akong reply mula sa kaniya, saying she's still buying something at mas lalo lang nag-init ang ulo ko.
Mahigit isang oras din akong naghihintay sa labas ng school nila. Hindi na ako makahintay na makuha ang ID ko at maipasa ang stereotype na pinagpuyatan gabi-gabi.
"Oh, milk tea."
I stared at what she was holding and then at her face. This was the first time I saw her up close. I've seen her in the coffee house but never this close.
Hindi rin siya ang madalas na nagse-serve sa akin kaya ganito ako namangha nang mapagtantong sobrang lapit niya sa akin.
No wonder why Kit had fallen for her. I gotta say, she's incredibly beautiful.
