The End of Daylight

First Talk, First Beat

—

"Ice cream?"

Bumaba ang tingin niya sa hawak kong ice cream. Tinitigan niya iyon na parang first time niyang makakita ng ganoong pagkain. I was about to put it down since I thought he would not accept it but what happened was the otherwise. Kinuha niya iyon mula sa akin. Hindi ko tuloy napigilan ang pag-ngiti.

"Why?" Tanong niya at muli akong tinignan.

Alanganin akong ngumiti. "What why?" Was he talking about the ice cream? The flavor? My sudden actions? My reactions? What? I am starting to think things, oh gosh.

"Why would you give me your ice cream?" Pagkaklaro niya. Oh my gosh, ganito ba ang normal niyang boses? Ang lalim.

"Ah," I scratched my arm unknowingly when I got his point. "I don't know. I just think you deserve some ice cream. Y-you.. ahm.. " Nakagat ko ang labi ko nang mautal ako. This wasn't my first time talking to a random guy but this was my first time I gave an ice cream to someone. Bakit ba ako kinakabahan? 'Di naman ako nagrereport sa harapan.

"I'm what?" The side of his lips rose while waiting for my answer.

Napalunok ako habang nakatingin sa kanya. His face is really a drop dead beyond perfection. He had a glass skin and his eyes are very much alluring, it was like a glistening crystal. Ang gwapo lang. Bakit ngayon ko lang siya napansin?

I blinked thrice before talking. "You look.. sad."

He stopped moving, surprised by my sudden confession. I don't know if I made him annoyed or what but he was just glaring at me, eyes pierced to mine. I instantly felt to urge to take back what I've said but I refrain from doing so because it was the truth. I could barely see the sadness in his eyes. They look so vulnerable, like they are in the verge of crying. Maybe because of what happened yesterday, how unfortunate.

Oh yeah, they really broke up. Though, I have no plans on confessing what I saw yesterday, I would gladly just forget about it. There's no point of saying it, I will just make things awkward between the two of us. Malamang ay mahihiya siya sa akin oras na malaman niyang nakita ko mismo kung paano siya iniwan ni Natasja, so to prevent that, I will just wash away that memory and acted like I saw nothing.

He then faked a cough at pasimpleng inayos ang buhok niya gamit ang sariling kamay. He had this pushed up hairstyle but some strands were falling, touching his eyebrows, making him more attractive.

Ano bang sinasabi ko? Kanina ko pa siya pinupuri ah. But I'm not lying. He is really charming, his hazelnut eyes could even make your knees melt by just looking at those. Bakit sobrang biniyayaan naman ata siya?

"Is that so?" Masungit niyang tanong. Hindi niya pa binubuksan ang ice cream. Hawak niya lang at pinaglalaruan.

Tumango ako. "Yes, so.." I looked around, trying to think of my next words. Aalis na ba ako? Magtatanong ba ako? Ano? Anong gagawin ko? Ang awkward naman!

"I think I should go." I took a step backwards but I was shookt when he grabbed my hand, the one holding my ice cream. I was so surprised by his sudden action that I even forgot how to breathe.

"What—" he made me cut my own sentence when he placed his handkerchief on top of my hand, slowly wiping the excess melted ice cream on it. Lusaw na pala, hindi ko man lang naramdaman. Masyado ata akong naging busy sa pagpupuri sa kanya.

"Are you numb?" Tanong niya pero ang mata ay nakapako sa kmay ko. Sa paraan ng paghawak niya doon ay para siyang naghahawak ng isang mamahaling gamit na takot siyang mabasag. Maingat. Dahan-dahan. Then a sudden electricity flickered from his touch that runs towards my body, making me tremble.

"What?" Tanong ko dahil hindi ko naintindihan ang tanong niya sa'kin kanina. My gosh, ano bang nangyayari sa akin? Para akong tanga. Tao lang siya Tammy, don't be so impressed.

He looked up, meeting my gaze. Napalunok ako ng magtama na naman ang paningin namin. Kakulay ng hazelnut ang mga mata niya. Itim ang gilid at gitna pero brown na ang natira. Mas tumitingkad iyon kapag nasisinagan ng araw.

Naamoy ko ang pabango niya dahil sa maliit na distansya namin. It was a manly menthol purfume. I felt awkward with our position so I snatched his handkerchief and moved away from him, giving us some space in between. He didn't respond so I think it was okay.

"Are you that hungry? Why did you bought two ice cream?" Tanong na naman niya.

Natauhan ako. "I'm craving."

Nabawasan ng kaunti ang nerbyos ko pero nakaramdam naman ako ng pagkailang. This man. He's really something, he was capable of making me feel different emotions one at a time.

He then nodded and looked around. Umiwas din ako ng tingin. Kami lang ang tao sa garden. We both don't know what to do next. Silence, I could hear silence between us, it was so deafening. Nakakailang.

"I'm going." He said and was about to turn around but I made him paused using my question.

"Are you okay?"

Napatigil siya sa akmang pagtalikod. Nakita ko kung paano niya kagatin ang labi bago ako tinignan ulit. I couldn't help myself from asking! I think I offended him! 'Yan kasi Tammy, ang chismosa mo.

When he didn't respond for almost ten seconds I am starting to think that I looked weird for asking him. Right, who am I to ask him anyway? Hindi nga namin kilala ang isa't isa eh.

I looked away. "It's okay, you don't have to answer it—"

"I'm fine." Matipid niyang sagot. I glanced back and to surprise me he let out a little smile before turning his back at me.

I remained standing there, he left me dumbfounded. And that was when I thought that I was holding my breath for too long. I exhaled a large amount of air afterwards to contain myself. I just got back to my senses when the school bell rang all over the campus, making me flinched a bit.

"Ha!" I shouted to remove the frustration I am starting to feel. I unconsciously slapped my face. Bigla tuloy akong napatingin sa hawak kong ice cream at sa panyo niya. Oh my gosh! Bakit hindi ko naalalang ibalik ito sa kanya?

Oh well, maybe we could see each other around, we are inside the same university anyway. Lalabhan ko nalang muna ito bago ko ibabalik sa kanya. Nakakahiya naman kung aangkinin ko nalang.

So after a minute of refreshing, I decided to start walking towards our building. Tinapon ko nalang din ang ice cream ko sa basurahan na nadaanan ko sa gilid dahil nawalan ako ng ganang kumain. Lusaw na rin naman.

Pagkapasok sa classroom namin ay nandoon na si Claudine. We are seatmates and it looks like she was waiting for me to come since she shot up a brow when she saw me approaching. She was looking at me as if I killed somebody secretly. Ano na naman ba ang ginawa ko?

Pagkaupo ko ay mabilis niya akong hinampas sa braso kaya napaigik ako. "What was the for?"

"I saw you! You went to garden of life! Bakit ang tagal mo ha? Anong ginawa mo 'don?" Pangbibintang niya sa akin at may kasama pang masamang tingin.

So, she saw me huh? Nakita niya kayang magkausap kami ni Jieven? Hala, nakakahiya naman! Parang kahapon lang sinabi kong hindi ko siya kilala tapos ngayon makikita niyang binigyan ko na ng ice cream? Wow, real quick?

"So why didn't you approach me?" I scoffed.

She rolled her eyes. "I need to pee!"

"What? Pee? Umagang umaga naiihi ka? You always pee! Ilang galon ba ng tubig ang iniinom mo ha?" I asked dramatically.

"Why? What's wrong in peeing huh? Anong masama sa umihi sa umaga?" Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay.

"Nothing okay? Nothing." It was more likely a whisper.

"Heh!" She pushed me softly in my shoulder. "Iniiba mo ang topic! Humaharot ka siguro no?" She shouted furiously. Ako na ang nahihiya dahil baka magtaka ang mga kaklase namin sa ginagawa niya. She is freaking shouting.

I sighed in frustration. She was accusing me of something! This is unbelievable! "I ate my ice cream there, okay?" I lied. I don't want to tell her the truth, she would tease me to death if she'd find out. I'm so sorry for lying but then at some point I really ate my ice cream there, hindi nga lang naubos kasi nalusaw at dahil 'yon kay Jieven.

She was about to counter attack my statement but our Professor came in holding his book and a box of his markers. Claudine groaned in frustration and cursed our teacher secretly.

Mabilis lumipas ang oras, hindi ko na nga namalayan na tapos na ang klase dahil abala ako sa pagdodoodle sa likod ng notebook ko. We did nothing this day but to listen regarding the introduction of our different subjects. We are also wearing our uniform now so I am a bit uncomfortable, I wasn't used to it anymore since I did not wear this for almost two months.

11 am ang dismissal namin ni Claudine at ganun din sila Kendra at Maegan. Nauna kami ni Claudine na dumating sa cafeteria kaya hinintay muna namin ang dalawa bago mag-order. We always does this since high school, wait for the others before we eat.

Maegan came while holding a piece of paper. Nang maupo siya sa tabi ko ay napansin kong isa iyong sketch ng bahay. Well, she's an archi student so I understand.

"Nag-umpisa na ulit kayo sa paggawa ng plates?" Tanong ko.

Maingat niyang nilapag ang papel sa lamesa. "Hindi pa, next week pa siguro. Pinag-aaralan ko lang 'tong sketch para may idea na ako sa susunod." Sagot niya.

"What's that? Your dream house?" Lumipat ang tingin ko kay Claudine nang magtanong siya, she was seated parallel to me.

Maegan shook her head. "Gawa gawa ko lang."

I reached for the paper and stared at it for almost a minute. It was good actually, hindi ganon kalaki ang bahay pero hindi rin maliit. Parang bungalow lang.

"Cute," I smiled. Binalik ko kay Maegan ang papel. "I'll hire you as my architect to design my house in the future."

"Me also!"

Nagulat kami sa biglaang pagdating ni Kendra. She placed her pink hand bag in the table and grabbed the piece of paper. Muntik na siyang suntukin ni Maegan dahil halos malukot na ang papel dahil sa paghila niya dito.

"Potek, kapag 'yan nasira mo, sisirain ko lahat ng hairclips mo!" Puno ng galit na sigaw niya kaya natawa kami ni Claudine.

Kendra immediately put down the paper like she's placing a fragile vase above the table. Maingat niya itong inabot kay Maegan na parang takot na tuta.

"Alright! Sorry na! You're so high blood talaga." Pinaypayan ni Kendra ang sarili gamit ang kamay niya. She always does that thing everytime she's irritated.

Kendra adores her hair clips so much and she's willing to do everything for the sake of it. Minsan nagtataka na rin ako kung bakit mahal na mahal niya ang bagay na 'yon pero hinahayaan nalang namin siya. Well, it's her life.

"I'm hungry, let's order something." I stood up and they followed me instantly. Pasta, apple and a slice of pineapple pie lang ang binili ko. I don't have enough appetite to eat rice. I am not on a diet either. Wala lang, ayoko lang kumain ng heavy meal. Basta ganon.

"You know the good news na ba guys?" Nagsimulang magchika si Kendra.

"What good news?" I asked while chewing my pasta.

She looked around, making sure that no one could hear us then after a moment she whispered to us. "Jieven and Natasja broke up."

Napahinto ako sa pagkain dahil sa sinabi niya. Mabuti at hindi ako nabulunan because I don't want to look suspicious. Mabilis kong nilunok ang nginunguya ko at uminom ng tubig para mahimasmasan.

Claudine didn't looked surprised though while Maegan is confused, her forehead creased.

"Sino 'yon? Artista ba mga 'yan?" Iritado niyang tanong habang hinahalo ang spaghetti niya.

"Boba!" The one hissed. "Jieven and Natasja! You don't know them? The famous couple from my department?"

Oh right, pareho nga pala sila ng course ni Kendra, business management pala. But wait, business management din si Natasja?

"Anong pakielam ko sa department niyo?" Maegan grimaced and rolled her eyes. Kendra flipped her hair and glanced at us instead of arguing with Maegan.

"Akala ko ba ako ang chismosa dito? Bakit hindi ko alam 'yan?" Pag-iinarte naman ni Claudine. Sinubo niya ang isang stick ng fries habang nakatingin kay Kendra. Ang galing din umarte, alam ko namang kahapon palang may idea na kaming dalawa.

Kendra rolled her eyes in frustration. "Secret lang 'yon but of course, Natasja is my blockmate so nakuha ko 'yon from her etchuserang friends." She flipped her hair after answering. She was looking so conceited of herself that she was able to hear the confidential information about Jieven and Natasja.

"So you called that one a good news?" I asked just to satisfy her, I was too silent and she might see me suspicious.

She nodded three times. "Like girl!" Kendra waved her hand in the air. "Jieven is single na again! There were so many girls out there na nagpaparty na dahil single na again kanilang crush." Pumalakpak pa siya.

Napahilot ako sa sentido ko. My head ache a little. Not because of the topic but because of her choice of words. How could she do that? Mixing english and tagalog at a time?

"Isa ka ba sa mga babae niya at tuwang tuwa ka?" Iritadong tanong ni Maegan.

"Duh! Hindi no! But yeah, I'm attracted to him, a little bit lang. Mas mababa sa crush like that kase naman he's so gentleman but he's so serious but let's not talk about him na." Sagot ni Kendra kaya napatango nalang si Maegan. Natawa nalang ako ng mahina habang wala namang reaksyon si Claudine, busy pa rin sa pagkain ng french fries niya na barbeque flavor.

"I need to pee." I snatched Claudine's attention when I stood up. I raised a brow on her. "Ano, naiihi ka rin? Are you coming with me?"

Kapag usapang ihi talaga siya ang pumapasok sa isip ko.

Inirapan niya ako sa inis. I just shrugged before walking away. Sa labas pa ang restroom kaya kailangan ko pang lumabas ng cafeteria.

I washed my hands after peeing before I went out. I was about to open the cafeteria's double door but someone did that for me from the inside. Two boys stopped in front of me, surprised by my presence when they opened the door. Humakbang ako paatras dahil masyado silang malapit sa akin. Ang tangkad din nila kaya nagmukha akong high schooler.

"Ay, sorry miss. Nagulat ka ba?" Tanong ng isa at ngumisi pa.

Alanganin akong tumango. "Obviously."

"Sorry talaga." He apologized again.

"It's okay." Humakbang ako pakanan para muling makapaglakad at para maiwasan ko na ang dalawang lalaki. Actually, may itsura sila. Geez. Lahat naman ng tao may itsura. Mayroon lang 'yung nakalamang.

"Gago, nasaan na ba si Jieven? Gutom na ako! Itext mo nga!"

Wala ako sa sariling napahinto sa paglalakad nang marinig ang pangalan na iyon. I don't intend to eavesdrop but their voice was too loud that I was able to hear it from my place. I turned around unconciously to look back at them but they were already walking away from my position.

"Hindi nga ako nirereplyan! What do you want me to do?" The other man nudged the man who apologized to me earlier.

They are obviously talking about Jieven. Magkakaibigan kaya sila?

I just shrugged my shoulders and ignored them. They are not my business anyway so I don't care. Nang matapos ang lunch break ay mabilis kaming bumalik ni Claudine sa classroom but even before the class starts I recieved a message.

Alyza Montecarlo:
Where: Student Council Office
When: June 15. 5pm.
What: Meeting
Why: Preparation for Club Opening

I sighed heavily. Mukhang late na naman akong makakuwi pero ayos lang din naman. So right after the class, I bid my goodbye to Claudine baka kasi magulat siya kapag bigla ko nalang siyang iniwan pero ang kaibigan ko hindi ako pinaniwalaan na meeting ang pupuntahan ko!

"Meeting o date?"

I paused midway and glared at her furiously. What the? Is she suspecting me of something again? So just to feed her curiosity, I fished out my phone from my hand bag and I gave it to her. Pinakita ko ang chat ni Alyza sa amin sa groupchat para matahimik siya.

"Oh ayan, tignan mo. Magsawa ka," pabiro ko siyang inirapan.

She laughed at me when she read the message. "Oo na naniniwala na ako, sige na. Go! Siguraduhin mong diretso uwi ka pagkatapos ng meeting niyo!" Pangaral niya sa akin kaya kahit naiinis ay tumango nalang ako para matapos na.

Nasa faculty and administration building ang office namin kaya kailangan ko pang maglakad. Some of the students are smiling and greeting me while I am walking, maybe I am familiar to them since I am part of the council. I just waved back even though I don't know some of them.

Dumaan nalang din ako sa overpass ng archi at engineering building para mas mabilis, shortcut kasi 'to. I even thought I could see Maegan but I remembered that her room is out of the way. Third floor pala ang room niya at sa second floor ako naglalakad.

After a few minutes, I arrived at our office, panting while trying to calm myself after the long walk. I opened our sliding door and I unfortunately got their attention. All eyes were on me right now. When I looked around, I noticed that we are still incomplete. I couldn't see Gabriel, Alyza and such. I still have troubles in memorizing their names although I know them by their face. Nakaupo sila sa isang pahabang lamesa. Ngumiti ako sa kanila bago umupo sa tabi ni Joshua dahil iyon na ang pinakamalapit sa akin na bakanteng upuan.

"Hey," he greeted me.

I smiled. "Ey."

Nagulat ako ng abutan niya ako ng isang pineapple juice in can. "Sponsored mo?" I joked.

He nodded, making me gasped. "Kaming dalawa talaga ni Pres ang may pakana. Today is our first official meeting together so we prepared something for us." Chris handed him one pack of egg pie. Joshua took it and gave it to me so I gladly accepted it.

"Oh thanks," I mumbled.

"VP pwede magtake two di'ba?" Tanong ni Fred habang ngumunguya. I know him, kaklase at representative siya nila Maegan.

"Oy timawa ka, hindi pa nag-uumpisa meeting makakadalawa ka na." Asik ni Chris na may kasama pang panduduro.

Joshua chuckled beside me. "Eat until you die."

"Ano?" Napatigil si Fred.

Tumawa si Joshua bago tumango. "Kumuha ka na."

Fred clapped in happiness before getting one egg pie from the box nearby. Naghintay lang kami ng kaunti hanggang sa nakumpleto na kaming lahat. Nagsimula ang meeting at pinangunahan iyon ni Alyza. It was just a meeting about the upcoming club opening. Kung ano ang mga dapat gawin at kung kailan gagawin.

"Are we going to borrow a whole day for the club opening?" Anne asked.

"I think so, mag-eelect pa ng mga officers and such. It will takes a lot of time." Hannah answered.

I bit my lower lip. "I think it would be better if we will just make it a half day."

Napatingin tuloy sa akin si Alyza. "Why do you think so?"

"Uh," I unknowingly scratched my arm. "You know, we're college students. Some of us are pretty hard headed. They could take advantage of the whole day. Pwedeng hindi sila aattend ng buong araw kasi tinatamad sila knowing that it's just a club opening. But if we'll going to make it half a day, it would be more convenient. Since they are already here in the morning, they don't have a choice but to participate in the afternoon."

"So you're saying that we should start it in the afternoon?" Alyza asked. Mukhang nakukumbinse ko na siya sa paraan ng pagtatanong niya.

I nodded. "Yeah."

Everyone went silent, carefully analyzing what I've said. Well, it was just my opinion, it would be their choice if they would grab it or not. Whatever the decision is, I'm good at it.

"I think it's good. May point si Tammy." Joshua broke the silence.

Alas sais na nang matapos ang meeting namin. Hinihintay na ako ni Manong Adrian sa labas ng gate kaya mabilis naman akong nakauwi.

On the following days, nothing important really happened. Lagi ko pa ring inaabangan si Jieven sa garden of life para maibalik ko ang panyo niya. That was the only place I know where I could find him. I don't want to see him at their building, it would be so much embarassing. We're not that close para puntahan ko siya doon.

I am always waiting for him in the garden right after my class but to my dismay, Jieven is nowhere. I used to wake up early and wait for him in the garden before the class starts but still, no Jieven. I'm not an early bird pero dahil sa kanya ay gumigising ako ng maaga. Ang effort ko naman!

Oh my gosh, do I looked so desperate? Mukha na ba akong uhaw na uhaw na makita siya? Definitely no, I just want to give back his handkerchief.

"Hoy, nakikinig ka ba ha?" I was caught off guard when Claudine slapped my arm.

I glared at her. "Ano ba 'yon?"

Lunchtime na at kaming dalawa lang ang magkasama dahil mamayang 1 pa ang dismissal ni Maegan habang si Kendra naman ay kanina pang 11, may pasok na siya ngayong 12:30.

Claudine looked at me like I did something wrong again, accusing me of something inside her mind.

"Bakit ka lutang?" Her face shouts confusion.

"Hindi ah." I lied. "Inaantok lang kasi ako." I lied again.

"Inaantok pero titig na titig ka sa pinto ng cafeteria? Sino bang inaabangan mo?" Pati siya ay napalingon na rin doon.

Hinila ko ang kamay niya para bumalik sa akin ang atensyon niya. "Wala, wala. Where were we again?"

She sighed and showed me her paper. "'Yan 'yung report na ginawa ko para sa assignment na binigay ni Professor Med. Check it."

Kinubukasan ay mas maaga ako dumating sa school. Siguro nagtataka na sa akin 'yung guard kasi ako ata ang estudyanteng laging unang pumapasok pagkatapos niyang buksan ang gate.

I walked towards the garden, hoping to see him today. Honestly, I was expecting the same result just like the previous days but my eyes widened when I saw him standing and staring at nowhere, nakatalikod na naman siya sa akin kaya hindi niya ako nakikita. Both of his hands are placed inside his pocket. Mahangin din ang paligid kaya hinahangin ang buhok niya. He's really tall, hanggang balikat lang siguro niya ako.

I sighed and walked towards his direction. I tried my best not to make any unnecessary noise then I stopped three meters away from his position. Nakatalikod pa rin siya sa akin. I faked a coughed kaya kaagad siyang napalingon. He was not surprise though, it was more like he was expecting me to come.

"Hey," he greeted me first. He plastered a small smile on his lips. He looked better when smiling, I must say. Masyado kasi siyang seryoso noong huling pagkikita namin dito.

Ngumiti ako sa kanya at inabot ang panyo niya. "I'm sorry kung ngayon ko lang ibabalik . I've been waiting for you here because I don't know where to find you. Luckily, I found you today so here."

The side of his lips rose and took the handkerchief away from my hand. "You've been waiting for me for almost a week?"

I chuckled. Mabuti nalang at hindi na ako masyadong naiilang kapag kausap ko siya but I'm still affected by his presence though.

"Yeah," I looked away.

He tsked. Silence, silence lingered between the two of us again. Lagi nalang. Ang tahimik niya at tahimik rin ako. Malas naman kapag nagsama ang dalawang tahimik. Para kaming nagdadasal.

"Jieven." Bigla siyang nagsalita kaya napatingin ako sa kanya.

His eyes were showing mixed emotions. He still looked so fragile but he was acting like everthing is fine. How could he do that? He was pretty obviously sad. He can't hide it from me. Not from me.

"Tammy." I smiled sweetly.

"From?" He shot up a brow, sounded curious.

"MassComm. How about you?" Alam kong taga-business administration siya pero gusto kong manggaling sa kanya.

"Business Admin."

"Can I ask?"

He chuckled. "Yeah?" It was more likely a question. He then fixed his hair using his fingers dahil hinangin na naman iyon. He really love doing that huh?

I was about to speak but my eyes widened when I heard something.

"I know, I know." It was Claudine!

"Wait, here, here. Maganda ang spot dito. Claudine, couz! Take a picture of me please!" It was Hera! Claudine's cousin from Engineering Department. I know her! Nakatira sila sa iisang bahay kaya lagi silang sabay pumasok pero bihira umuwi ng sabay dahil magkaiba ang group of friends nila.

"Hera, I need to go. Baka nasa room na si Tammy. I need her to check my report." Claudine answered instead of following her cousin's favor.

Lumingon ako at nakita kong papalapit na sila sa pwesto namin. I immediately grabbed Jieven's arm and hide behind the acacia tree. It has a big trunk so it can surely cover the both of us.

"Oh my gosh." I whispered. My heart is beating so rapidly. I am freaking nervous for no reason. I felt like I was caught at the criminal scene. Oh gosh.

"Why are we hiding?"

I turned my face sidewards to looked at Jieven behind me but that was a wrong move. Our face were only inches away from each other, my eyes widened in surprised and I unconsciously step backwards but I stumbled when I stepped on the stupid root of the tree.

"Oh." Mabilis niya akong nasalo. He held my waist but he instantly let go of me after a second. We both feel conscious and the atmosphere between us became too tight. I couldn't take this anymore. Why am I feeling this way? This is strange. Para na naman akong tanga.

"I'm sorry." I looked away.

He cleared his throat, lowkey trying to compose himself. "Why are we even hiding?" Masungit na asik niya sa akin. Akmang lalabas siya sa taguan namin pero mabilis kong hinila ang braso niya at umiling.

"I know them."

He raised a brow. "Who? The two girls?"

I nodded and bit my lower lip. "Hindi nila pwedeng makita na magkasama tayo."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Why not?"

"They.. uh," I gulped. "They might get the wrong idea."

Natahimik siya sandali. Ang mata niya ay nanatiling nakatitig sa akin. Akala ko ay tututol siya pero tumango rin kalaunan, making me sigh in relief. Muli kong sinilip sila Claudine pero wala na sila. Thank God.

"Gotcha!"

"Ay mama!" I almost had an heart attack when I heard her voice behind me. Mas mabilis pa sa alas kwartro akong lumingon and there she is, looking at me while smirking. Nasa likuran niya si Hera na nakangiti rin.

I glanced at Jieven. He looked so calm. Oh my gosh. How could he be so calm while I am here? Freaking nervous that someone caught us hiding. I glanced at my friend in front of me after a moment, she raised a brow while glaring at us with her malicious eyes.

"What are you doing here? Why are you guys hiding behind this tree?"

—