Agad akong kumawala nang natanto ko ang ginawa. My insides were shaking as I stared back at Kairos who was confused as I was. Dahan-dahan akong umatras and the next thing I knew, I was running towards the exit of this condominium.
Ginulo ko ang buhok ko nang napansin kong halos walang dumadaan sa kalsada na mga public transportations. Dagdag pang medyo mahiyain pa rin ako sa pagko-commute.
I jolted when an arm grabbed mine and turned me around. It was Kairos and he was panting.
"Bitiwan mo 'ko," matigas kong wika. "Kairos, bitiw."
Umiling naman siya. "Let me drive you back to school."
"I can go back by mysel—"
He cut me off. "
Akala ko ay nagbibiro si Kairos sa sinabi niya noong isang araw but I realize that he was really serious. Nagkikita naman kami sa campus but he would only look at me for a few seconds and then walk away, as if he's constantly reminding me of what he vowed days ago.Nakatitig lang ako sa tanawin sa labas ng bintana habang hindi pa rin tumitigil sa pagputak ng bibig niya ang History class instructor namin kahit na lagpas na siya sa kaniyang schedule, buti nalang at last class na 'to para sa araw na 'to. Kahit hindi sila nagrereklamo ay alam kong gustong-gusto na nilang umuwi at gawin ang mga gusto nilang gawin aside sa mga school tasks and activities na walang prenong binibigay ng mga instructors.After a couple of minutes, the instructor finally dismissed the class. She apologized because she got carried away in talking about Philippine
Nakatitig si Kairos sa akin nang halos isang minuto bago niya iyon pinutol at pinulupot ang kaniyang mga braso sa baywang ko para yakapin ako."No, Lilianna," wika niya at bumuntong-hininga. "As much as I want to take you to my place, I have to resist and decline. I don't wanna be a bad influence."Ngumuso ako at sinandal ang baba ko sa balikat niya. "Ang good boy mo naman...""And you were being a bad girl," he said and chuckled.Nang mapansin niyang hindi na ako umimik ay bumitiw siya sa yakap at tumingin sa mukha ko. "How about we go to Naga and eat?"Ngumiwi ako. "I have no money with me, Kairos."
Tumalikod si Mama at pumasok sa loob. Kairos squeezed my hand softly before going inside the house. Everyone was present and was sitting in the living room. My father, as well as Ate Jane and Gregory who had a worried look in his face."Good evening, Mrs. Vera—""Have a seat."Dahan-dahan akong umupo habang hindi ko naman nahimigan ang kaba kahit sa kaniyang mga kamay man lang."Mrs. Vera, I am very sorry for returning your daughter this late—"Pero imbes pakinggan ni Mama ang sinabi ni Kairos ay bumaling siya sa akin at tinanong ako na siyang ikinaputol ng pagsasalita ni Kairos. "Where have you been, Lilianna?" she asked with calmly but with firmness.
I was almost running as I head back to the classroom, with my head on the floor. Kulang nalang, magpapalibing ako rito, e! I was so embarrassed because of what happened! Furthermore, I cannot even get mad at Kairos for doing that because no matter how I deny it, I liked it!When the Head Minister shoutedat our direction, all heads turned to us. Shock creeped through their confused faces, some even had amused expressions na tila bang nakita nila iyong ginawa ni Kairos kanina which was more embarrassing!"To my office, now!"Hindi pa nga nakaupo sa upuan n'on sa harapan ng mesa ng Head Minister nang nagsimula na siyang mang-sermon and was very displeased of what she has witnessed! She went on and on for almost an hour dahilan upang ma-late kaming dalawa sa mga klase namin.
"Lilianna, may notes ka ba sa d-in-iscuss ni Sir sa GE 3? Ugh! Ayoko talaga sa teaching style niya! I really hate History pa naman," pagrereklamo ni Sawyer. Nginisihan ko nalang siya at pinahiram sa kaniya ang notes ko sa subject na iyon para ma-copy niya. "Thank you. Mwaps!" she said and tried to kiss my face but I avoided it, fortunately.She frowned. "Kiss lang, e! Damot-damot, akala mo hindi nagpapa-kiss sa pinsan ko."Kahit bigla akong nahiya sa sinabi niya ay hindi ko siya binigyang-pansin at inabala na lang ang sarili sa pag-drawing ng human muscular system na siyang isa sa mga activities namin sa PE 1. Okay lang sana kung drawing lang, kaso dapat pa namin lagyan ng label sa bawat part! Tapos may skeletal system pa akong kailangang gawin pagkatapos nito! I'm suddenly thankful I did not became interested in taking any medical cour
"You should stay away from that guy, Lili."Napatingin ako sa nagda-drive na si Kairos. Maagang natapos ang klase ko at hanggamg 7PM pa sina Ate Jade at 5:30PM naman si Gregory kaya nagpaalam nalang si Kairos na siya na ang maghahatid sa akin pauwi sa bahay."Huh? Bakit naman? Paano ko naman gagawin 'yan, brute?" tanong ko pabalik. "Unang-una, classmate ko siya sa lahat ng subjects ko ngayon. Pangalawa, partners kami sa isang subject.""Why are you partners with him anyway?" The brute asked, his brows furrowed.I laughed, not because it was funny, but because it was a ridiculous question."It was fixed by the instructor, Kai-"He si
"Wow! All in one!" wika ni Gregory nang matapos niyang in-explore ang buong building. "Ang yaman niyo talaga, Miss!"Napailing ako. "Sila lang ni Mama at Papa. Hindi ako mayaman."Nakaupo kami ngayon sa sahig dito sa may parte ng dance studio. Lumabas naman si Kairos at nagpaalam na kunin ang mga gamit na nasa loob ng sasakyan niya."Tumahimik ka nga, Gregory! Para kang bata kung umasta. You should act your age!" sita naman ni Ate Jade.Umirap naman si Greg. "Pake mo ba? Buhay ko 'to. My age, my rules!" parang batang sagot niya at ininis pa lalo si Ate Jade sa pamamagitan ng pagtakbo-takbo sa paligid. Napatampal tuloy sa noo si Ate Jade at hinayaan nalang si Gregory sa trip niya. Natawa naman ako sa bangayan nilang dalawa.
It was uncomfortable sitting in the car. Ate Jade and James were busy snuggling and flirting with each other while I was beside them. Hindi ko inasahang may ganitong side si Ate Jade. Siguro ganoon talaga kapag in love, 'no? Nalalabas ang hindi mo inakalang meron ka pala. Masaya naman ako para kay Ate Jade kahit kulang na lang ay mapisa ako dahil kinain na ng mga pwet nila ang upuan dito sa likod. Sometimes, James' arm would rub against mine, whether be intentionally or not. Every time our arms would rub against each other, he would look at me and smile. I would only smile and look outside to mind my own business. "I miss you," Kairos said on the phone. "Sorry, hindi kita nasabayan sa pag-uwi kanina. It's just that..." Umiling ako at ngumiti kahit hindi niya naman kita 'yon. "Don't