Running After The Dusk

16

Halt

"MINERVAAAA."

Napalingon kaming dalawa ni Vino nang makita namin si Kleo na tumatakbo sa corridor. Nakasuot siya ng pang cheering squad na pantaas, mukhang kagagaling niya lang rin sa Olfato dahil may ginanap na game doon. We both glanced at each other and kept a fair distance for Kleo. I even saw him let out a small laugh when he noticed how uneasy I look.

Kleo gave me a soft kiss in my cheek and automatically plastered a smile when her eyes landed on Vino.

"Omg, sabay raw kayong pumasok?" She sounded like a kid waiting for an answer. Kleo buried her palm on her mouth and gave me a meaningful look.

"Where did that–"

She cut me off, widening her smile even more. "The people have been talking about you guys for a while now."

Hindi na nakakapagtaka kung ganon, ang lakas ng loob gumawa ng eskandalo ni Vino nung isang araw. Malamang, pag uusapan talaga kaming dalawa.

"But still, I want to confirm it... so did you guys really go to school together."

Vino jammed his hands in his front pocket as twitched a jaw.

"Yeah, I fetched her."

Mas lalong lumaki ang mata ni Kleo at mas sinubsob ang bunganga niya sa kanyang palad. I gave Vino a soft glare but he just pressed his lips together, trying not to laugh at Kleo's reaction.

"Are you guys having a small talk right now?" Kleo asked, playfully smiling. "Cause I can leave if you want."

"No." I grabbed her arm. "He just ano.. He was just passing by." I looked at Vino, giving him clues to ride with what I said. "Diba?"

"Liar." He uttered quietly. Lumihis ang tingin niya kay Kleo at pinasadahan ng ngiti. "Oo, diyan lang kasi yung quarters."

Why does he look so kind whenever he was around with other people? Yung mga ngiti niya ngayon napaka unusual which is matagal ko nang napapansin dahil kapag kasama ko yung tatlong itlog ay ganon rin ang mga ngiti niya. But whenever we're together, I can't even figure out his smile. Parang nang aasar na ewan.

"Ay ganon ba?" Kleo sounds disappointed. "I thought you guys already have you know... hihi, something like a couple."

My face made a disgusted look.

"No, what the hell." 

There's no way I could ever end up with a guy like him. I mean, I know he's kinda perfect, but when it comes to his attitude? A big fat no.

"Does it look like that?"

Napatingin ako kay Vino.

Kleo scoffed, looking shocked. Then later on, it was replaced by a playful expression. "I'm sure everyone has the same thought."

Pinalo ko ang kamay niya. "Kleo!"

"What?"

Vino let out a chuckle– a small one.

"We'll see."

Just like that, he excused himself and left us dumbfounded. Mas nakakadagdag pa ng inis nang bumulong siya sakin ng "my game" bago umalis. I know he was just trying to tease me or something and just by having that thought, mas lalo akong naiinis.

"He's so annoying." I rolled my eyes as I watch his shadow fade out. Kleo, on the other hand furrowed her brows a bit, not getting what I said.

"You mean Vino?" She asked.