Chapter 8
Huminga ako ng malalim habang inililibot ang paningin sa sports complex. The sun hasn't rise yet but there are already people running and sweating around the complex.
Naglibot ako kanina pero hindi ko sila nakita. Masyado ba akong maaga? It's 5:05 in the morning. Alas kwatro ang bukas ng complex para sa mga gustong mag-jogging at kanina pa ako rito pero hindi pa ako tumatakbo dahil may hinahanap ako.
Gavrie said they're regular here. At kadalasan ay alas singko sila narito. Was I too early or I just assumed?
Pumikit ako ng mariin at bumuga ng hangin. What the hell am I doing?! Did I really come here just to see him? Or have another encounter with him? Gusto kong mainis sa sarili ko pero wala namang magagawa 'yon. Fine, I came here in hopes of coming across Axev again. Pero bakit ko ba ginagawa 'to?
Today is Saturday again. I've been busy the whole week due to school stuffs and I didn't see Axev for the whole week. Maliban sa magka-iba kami ng campus, hindi naman ako nagagawi sa main maliban kung papasok pa lang ako, lunch time o 'di kaya'y uwian. And I got so eager for the weekend to come just for this.
I think I'm going crazy for pulling this stunt. Hindi ko pa inimbita si Tina para lang makita kung talaga bang narito palagi si Axev kapag Sabado. Now, I feel bad for my friend! And I am really getting irritated with myself because of these weird feelings I'm sporting for Axev. Ganito ba talaga kapag crush mo ang isang tao?
I put on my AirPods and stretched for ten minutes. I don't want to sulk here just because I'm disappointed with my actions and the consequences of those. I'm debating too much with myself already and I'm not used to it.
Hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto akong tumatakbo, nakadalawang ikot na ako sa oval at tagatak na agad ang pawis ko. Sa pangatlong ikot, halos madapa ako nang makasalubong ko sina Axev na tumatakbo papunta sa direksyon ko. He was with Brett and Gavrie! They gradually stopped running too when they noticed me.
I caught Axev's heavy gaze on me. He's wearing another black hoodie with a different design, grey sweatpants and same running shoes. I felt that strange feelings again when our eyes met. And if Brett didn't speak up, I'd be busted for obviously staring at Axev.
"Uy, Sien!" Brett greeted lively.
I stretched the side of my lips and waved my hand at them, acting like I didn't expect to see them here. Well, it's partly true! Akala ko hindi ko sila makikita ngayon, kahit na 'yon naman talaga ang rason kung bakit sobrang aga ko. Tinanggal ko ang AirPods at nilagay sa bulsa ng silk jacket ko.
"Kayo pala..." I said and kept my smile.
"May kasama ka?" Si Gavrie.
Umiling agad ako. "I'm alone."
Nagkatinginan sila ni Brett at sabay sumulyap kay Axev na tahimik na nakatingin sa akin. There goes his silence again. It's getting harder to handle that silence because the more I want to hear him say something and it's damn frustrating.
Gavrie nudged Brett secretly but I still saw it. Tumawa si Brett at tinapik sa balikat si Axev bago nagsimulang tumakbo palayo. Kaagad naman sumunod si Gavrie pagkatapos niyang tumango sa akin at nginisian si Axev. And now, it's just the two us, with the silence and the sunrise.
Tumikhim ako at huminga ng malalim nang magkatinginan ulit kami. My heart clenched for some certain reason, it was beating furiously especially that he's staring at me with different look in his eyes.
"Do you want to run with me?" He asked out of sudden.
My lips parted in surprise. His brows were furrowed and his jaw was naturally clenched as always. He was serious when he asked that. His voice was cold but the look in his eyes contradicts all those grey things.
