Kapapasok ko pa lang sa convenience store nang mahagip ng mata ko ang pamilyar na hubog ng katawan. Nagtagal ang pagtitig ko sa kaniya at siguro ay naramdaman niya iyon dahil pagbaling niya sa akin.
His expression remained blank, but his intense stare made my knees wobbled. Hindi man lang ba siya nagulat nang makita ako? Grabe na talaga 'to.Imbes na dumiretso sa kaniya ay nagtungo agad ako sa staff room para kunin ang vest at tumulong kay Ate Reive. Sulyap ang tanging nagawa ko kay Rafus. He's preoccupied with the book he's reading, but I was alarmed when he stood up, and I couldn't draw near him because I was busy here on the counter.I wanted to call his name, but it's already too late because he already exited the store. Maybe I'll just text him later if I'm not busy anymore."Miss!" When the girl called my attention."Sorry po, miss." Napabalik ako sa reyalidad at mabilis na kumilos. Tinanggap ko ang bayad niya at magalang na inabotI don't understand why. I'm just doing my job, but I keep on receiving bad feedback. Some say I'm a gold digger, a sucker for the Buenaconsejo's, and after their money and inheritance.How can they say those words without a basis that I'm a kind of that woman?It's easier for them to judge than believe me. It's been a month since this work immersion started. Those four weeks were okay for me until gossip about me ignited.That lunch was actually the last time I interacted with the Buenaconsejo's though they invited me for the next day and to the following days.I kept on refusing them even Paris when he offered a ride the last time because it was raining hard and it's already evening. I'm hours late for my part-time job but I still didn't accept his friendly offer.At first, I didn't mind the baseless talk because I believe that it was all made up by those people who have nothing to do with their lives.To my shock, Clemenseanne and Reun once came to buy goods in the enterprise, then
"I care so much... so much for you, and I don't want you to suffer. Wala akong pakialam kung nadawit ang pangalan namin, ang mahalaga ay ikaw. Ayokong umiba ang tingin ng tao sa'yo dahil dito at hindi ko na mapipigilan ang sarili ko kapag pinasalitaan ka pa nila uli, Ris."I took a step back and stared sharply at him as if throwing daggers. He keeps on reaching my arms, but every time he moves forward, I take a step backward."Why are you doing this to me?! Why?" I sounded desperate. "Fine, if you want to help, then help! But please... spare me! You kept on saying those words even though I've already cleared it between us! You kept on making my mind in turmoil and my feelings confused! Sinabi ko naman sa'yo, 'di ba? Pagkakaibigan nalang ang kaya kong ibigay, na hindi na kita gusto! Why are you doing this, huh? Why? Please respect me, Paris. I don't want to have a connection with you and with your family anymore, and I can't—"Hindi ko natapos ang sasabihin ko dahil sa pagkabigla. Sumu
Nakatingin ako sa relong pambisig. Kanina pa ang uwian at ako ang nagpaiwan sa barkada rito sa Poblacion. Marami pa namang mga nagkakalat na estudyante sa paligid, karamihan ang mga magboyfriend-girlfriend.Sina Lowell at Dom ay nagmadaling umuwi dahil pupunta sila sa Galapagos para manood ng Game 4 ng basketball at sasama si Jangkit sa kanila.Napabuntong-hininga ako at nagdadalawang isip kung sisipot ba o hindi. Nakatanggap ako kanina ng text mula kay Crisanta na gusto niyang makipagkita sa akin.Napapikit ako bago tuluyang hinawakan ang doorhandle at tuluyang pumasok dahilan ng pagtunog ng bell sa ibabaw."Slaine, here!"Napatingin ako sa kanang direksyon at nakita ko sila. My mouth left open upon seeing Crisanta's raising her hand, and beside her is her group.Ilang akong napangiti habang naglalakad papalapit sa kanila. Ang buong akala ko ay si Crisanta lang ang gustong makipagkita sa akin."Upo ka," sabi ng isa at marahan akong hinila paupo sa tabi niya.Kaswal nila akong kinausa
Tumila na ang ulan at napansin kong madilim na ang paligid dahil siguro sa madilim na ulap. Umiwas ako ng tingin sa matamang mata ni Paris at tumikhim bago maglagay ng distansiya sa pagitan namin.Naiilang ako at hindi alam kung ano ang sasabihin o gagawin. My mind's confused with everything that has happened. I can't even catch up with the feelings, and I'm a mess for not distinguishing when it should have been put in the right place for a long time.I heaved a deep sigh. Hinatid ako ni Paris hanggang sa labas ng convenience store. Itiniklop niya ang payong at tumingin sa akin. "Gamitin mo muna 'yan para hindi ka mabasa baka umulan mamaya.""P-paano ka naman?"He smiled and then brushed his thumb on my cheek. "I can take care of myself, Ris...""O... kay," I hesitantly said.I suddenly took a step back as I saw him trying to put his hoodie on me. I shook my head, trying to tell him that I could manage, but Paris is Paris. Anything he wants will always be in his favor."Ibabalik ko '
Gaya ng nakasanayan ay hindi ko gaano'ng napapansin si Rafus at inaabala ang sarili sa trabaho. Kapag susulyap naman ako sa kanya, nagtatama ang tingin naming dalawa kaya nahihiya ako. Siguro ay dahil ito sa naging isyu sa akin kamakailan at ang kahihiyang nagawa kong pagtulog sa dibdib niya.Natagalan ang usad ng counter na pinupwestuhan ko dahil sa magboyfriend-girlfriend na nagtatalo sa pagbabayad.The girl wants to pay, but the guy won't let her, and he insist to pay instead. Maski ako ay naguguluhan kung kaninong pera ang tatanggapin. Kapag aabutin ko ang pera ng lalaki, nakakamatay na tingin ang iginagawad sa akin ng babae. Kapag pera naman ng babae ang aabutin ko, seryoso at nakakatakot na paaran naman ang pagtingin sa akin ng lalaki.At the end, Ate Reive exchanged places with me and handled the couple who are still arguing. Ang ibang babae sa paligid ng magkasintahan ay nagbubulungan na sweet at cute daw nila. For me, I find it inappropriate. Of all the places, why are they a
"Oh! The fashionista is here!"I smiled sarcastically because of Jangkit's comment as I entered the room and also made my classmates' attention all on me."You can pass the modeling audition with that outfit, my friend! You have to do some poses, then viola! You can have your schedule for your photoshoot!"Imbis na pumatol sa pambobola niya ay naglakad ako patungo sa upuan at tahimik na nagmamasid sa paligid. Bumalik narin sa kaniya-kaniyang ginagawa ang kaklase ko at naririnig ko ang pinag-uusapan nila Crezst at Jangkit, nagbibiro na susubukan daw akong ipa-apply sa isang modeling agency.I couldn't care more because I was preoccupied. I'm enjoying the feeling of Rafus' coat covering my body. I still can't believe that he'll do this kind of thing. It felt surreal, I've known him for years, and he's not the type of guy who cares about his surroundings.Foreign feelings gushing over of my system as I simply sniffle his coat. His scent is so addicting. I think I'll be having a hard time
"Huwag nalang kaya akong sumama? Makupad akong kumilos baka matagalan pa," Pagdadahilan ko dahil sa totoo lang ay tinatamad talaga akong kumilos.He shook his head, then pensively smiled at me. "I can wait."I sighed in defeat. I looked at him while his attention was on the show, I smiled a bit and then nodded slowly. Fine, I'll let him... this time."Okay, just gave me thirty minutes," I said, then he hummed as a reply, not tearing his eyes off the television.I can't believe I finished preparing myself for the whole thirty minutes, usually I'll just spend fifteen to twenty minutes!Hindi ko nga alam kung paano ako nakabalik sa kwarto ko na nakatuwalya lang! Though, I'm still thankful he didn't turn to look at me. Maybe he sensed it.After spraying raspberry scent perfume on my neck and wrist, I twisted the door of my room. I'm wearing a skin pink cold shoulder top and a high waisted black denim shorts. I wore my usual combat boots because I feel comfortable with it. I let my hair fl
"Look who's here." I came back to consciousness upon hearing a baritone voice slowly coming near to where I was standing.I lifted my head, and my jaw almost dropped when I was welcomed by the two drop-dead gorgeous Dela Rue cousins.I can't take my eyes off the guy who's at the back. My breathing hitched, my knees started to get wobbled, and my eyes were only fixed at him like every move he did was in slow motion, making me totally beguiled and lose my sanity."Mesmerized by what you saw? Relax, it's just Rojas Andrieu Dela Rue." He said and sexily chuckled, but my eyes were glued on the guy at the back.I haven't seen him for five days, yet he'll appear in front of me looking blazing hot? He's not wearing glasses, and his skin got tanned! What made my jaw dropped the most is that he's wearing a black sleeveless shirt, and his arms were in full view! His tanned skin complemented the redness and kissable lips of his. If kissing him is a crime, then I guess I'll be sentenced to reclus