The End of Daylight

Candy

—

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

I gulped unknowingly. Gusto kong magsalita pero wala naman akong masabi. My mind went black the moment she caught us. Freak, I couldn't say I brought back his handkerchief because I forgot to return it last time, that would lead to another issue again. Baka sabihin niyang palihim kaming nagkikita dahil paanong napunta sa akin ang panyo niya. Lumipad? Naglakad? Geez. Kapag sinabi kong binigyan ko siya ng ice cream noon ay hindi na niya ako titigilan.

"Aksidente lang kaming nagkita dito!" I sounded so defensive but it was true! Parang gusto ko tuloy sampalin ang sarili ko dahil sa pagsigaw. Jieven even scoffed beside me, making me nudge him a bit. Umismid siya pagkatapos.

"Okay? So bakit kayo nagtatago?"

"We're not hiding!" I hissed.

Nagulat si Claudine sa pagsigaw ko. Napahawak pa sa dibdib niya. Natawa si Hera at ngumisi si Jieven. Fudge!

Claudine raised a brow, doubting my words and glaring at me. She then crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Jieven beside me, trying to catch us. Para siyang nanay namin at hinuhulaan kung sino ang bumasag ng mamahalin niyang vase.

"It's true." Jieven shrugged his shoulders. I wanted to shout in happiness when he finally spoke.

"Uh," I unknowingly scratched my arm. Muli akong napatingin kay Jieven, humihingi ng tulong.

"I found her struggling while searching for her ring." Panimula niya. "She told me she dropped it somewhere here so I'm helping her to search for it." He explained calmly.

I bit my lower lip to suppress me from smiling.

"So have you found it?" Si Hera naman ang nagtanong, still trying to catch us. Pinaningkitan ko sila ng tingin ni Claudine. Magpinsan talaga sila! Parehong tanong ng tanong!

Jieven nodded casually. May kinuha siya sa bulsa niya at pinakita iyon sa amin. It was a silver ring. Nagulat ako ng kunin niya ang kamay ko at nilagay doon ang sing sing.

He leaned forward and whispered something. "Don't put it in your finger, they might notice that it is way bigger than your size." His hot breath kissed the skin of my neck, making me winced because of the sudden sensation.   

Mabilis din siyang lumayo at tumayo ng tuwid. "I should get going." He smiled a little bit before walking away. Ngiting pilit at walang kwenta pero naattract pa rin ako.

Geez, kailan pa ako naging maharot?

Well, ngayon lang naman.

Walang sinuman sa amin ang nagtangkang pigilan siya habang naglalakad palayo. Nang mawala siya sa paningin namin ay binalik ko ang tingin kay Claudine.

"Sing sing mo 'yan?" She pointed my hand, still doubting me.

Mabilis ko itong tinago at pinasok sa hand bag ko. "Ofcourse, duh." I flipped my hair to lessen my nervousness. Ang dami dami ko ng kasinungalingan. Sorry, Lord.

She scoffed. "Okay, let's go."

Nagpasalamat nalang ako dahil hindi na siya nagtanong pa ng kung ano ano sa akin. I might end up telling her the truth if ever that shit happens.

I know it was so childish to act this way but I am doing this to prevent some issues regarding me and Jieven. Alam ng ibang tao na kakabreak lang nila ni Natasja. If they found out that we are talked secretly, they might get the wrong idea. Napakamalisyoso pa naman ng mga tao ngayon. Nagtabi lang, issue. Nag-usap lang. Issue ulit. Nagsabay umuwi. Issue na naman. Geez. Lahat nalang ginawang issue.

Habang nagkaklase kami kanina ay wala sa sarili kong biglang naalala ang singsing niya. I slowly took it out of my handbag and stared at it. It was a silver ring with a think band. No designs, no stones, just pure silver ring. Katulad nga ng sabi niya ay maluwang iyon sa akin dahil nga mas malaki ang daliri niya. Sa thumb ko lang nagkasya. I rolled it and stared at it for a moment. My forehead creased when I saw something. May nakaukit na JFA sa gilid.

Initials niya siguro. Ganoon naman lagi kapag may letters sa singsing mo eh. But then I can't help but to smile with the thought that he lied for my sake.

"Ngingiti-ngiti ka d'yan, para kang tanga, problema mo?"

My smile faded away when Claudine poked my shoulder. She arched a brow on me with her malicious stares.

"Wala lang." I shrugged.

Mabilis lumipas ang araw. Next week na gaganapin ang opening ng clubs at next month na ang examination after foundation day. Tasks and assignments embraced our whole system and to students like us, report and writing and reading articles is the first thing you always do. Endless reports will make you insane, I could say.

"Pusang galang report! Hindi na natapos 'tong report na 'to!" Claudine crumpled her paper for the sixth time. She always does that after writing for about five minutes. I think she's distracted or maybe she's not in the mood to write.

Ako ang nahihirapan sa ginagawa niya.

"Good Morning, Mom. Morning, Dad." I kissed them both in the cheek. Mas maaga silang nagising sa akin kinabukasan kaya nang bumaba ako para mag-umagahan ay kasalukuyan na silang kumakain.

Hinalikan ko na rin ang pisngi ng kapatid ko. Katabi niya si Mommy kaya wala akong katabi sa kabilang side. Kumuha lang ako ng hotdog, isang sunny side up egg then toasted bread. I don't want a heavy meal.

"How's school, Tammy?"

Daddy caught my attention. He was busy drinking his usual black coffee while waiting for my answer and looking dead serious.

"It's good, Dad. I'm quite busy since I'm also part of the Student Council." Paliwanag ko.

It's true. Sunod sunod ang meeting and projects namin. Hindi ko naman magawang magreklamo dahil ginusto ko 'to kaya dapat pangatawanan ko.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" He asked, eyes still pierced on his plate.

"W-what?"

Mabuti na lang at wala akong kinakain, kung mayroon siguro ay nasamid na ako dahil sa tanong niya. This is too sudden, why would he ask me regarding that thing?

"Dad, I don't have." I tried to lit up the mood but still, no progress. Seryoso pa rin siya habang ngumunguya.

Tahimik lang na kumakain si Mommy at Tamara. Mukhang takot silang sumingit sa usapan namin ni Daddy. He looked so serious today though, pati ako ay natatakot sa kanya.

He look up to see me. "Just make sure that you don't have, Tammy. Once I've learned that you have one, I'll cut down our deal." He said.

"Y-yes, Dad." Nautal pa ako.

"I don't want you to be distracted while studying. Boyfriends are just a mere distraction. Your grades matter, high grades matter to us the most. You're a Rustia so better act like one. You know what will happen if you disobey me. Did I make myself clear?"

I gulped and nodded. "Yes, Dad." Sagot ko ulit habang nakayuko.

Paulit-ulit na nalaro sa isipan ko ang sinabi ni Daddy. They are rooting for me. I don't want to disappoint them. Isang dahilan kung bakit nag-aaral ako ng mabuti ay dahil sa pangarap ko. I want to go abroad. I want to train my skills there as a singer but Dad will only allow me if I successfully followed his rules.

"Honey, you're pressuring her." Mommy spoke after the long silence.

"I am not pressuring her, Tracie. I am just reminding her on the things she shouldn't do. She's a Rustia after all. Good thing, Mom wasn't here. It would be much difficult for Tammy."

"Okay, fine." Mommy breathe heavily before looking at me. "Eat more, sweetheart. Don't mind your Dad." She said in a soft voice, trying console me.

I just smiled. Pagkatapos kong kumain ay nagpahatid na ako kay Manong Adrian. May iilang estudyante na binati ako habang naglalakad papasok kaya kinawayan ko nalang sila kahit hindi ko kilala. I even saw Jieven with two unfamiliar faces walking in the covered walk. Hindi sila ang kaibigan niya na nakita ko, baka another group of friends niya. Nasa gitna siya at may hawak na libro. Halatang nagbabasa. He was also wearing specs. Mabuti at kaya niyang magbasa habang naglalakad?

"Hi Jieven!" May grupo ng kababaihan na napadaan at binati siya kaya napaangat siya ng ulo. He just simply nodded. My forehead creased when the girls giggled. La?

I just ignored them and continued walking. Mabilis lumipas ang oras nang hindi ko namamalayan hanggang sa mag break time kami.

"Tara na, Tammy." Stefhany grabbed my arm after minutes of waiting outside their classroom. Sinundo ko kasi siya sa building ng Med Department para sabay na kaming magpunta sa destination namin.

One of our responsibilities as part of the council is to secure that no student should bring snacks inside their rooms. Mahigpit na ipinagbawal iyon ni Alyza na siyang inaprubahan ni Principal.

That is to prevent the increasing rate of trashes inside of every rooms. Pinatanggal ni Alyza lahat ng basurahan sa bawat classroom para wala silang pagtupunan ng kalat ng pinagkainan nila. Responsibilidad kasi ng mga estudyante ang linisan ang sarili nilang room and most of them are so hard headed. Tinatamad maglinis kaya naiiwang makalat ang room nila.

So to prevent this kind of issue, we, the officers are tasked to watch the students during their breaktimes and vacant times. May mga naka-assign na officers sa iba't ibang building at lugar around the campus depending on their free time. Sa student lounge, benches at sa labas lang sila pwedeng kumain.

If ever may magtatago ng pagkain sa loob ng bag nila at kakainin iyon sa room ay trabaho ng president nila ang magreport sa amin. Kung hindi, mapupunish ang klase iyon headed by our Prefect of Discipline.

Well, exemption ang lunch time dahil kailangan din naman naming kumain.

Ako lang dapat ang naka-assign sa building ko pero sinama ko na si Stefhany dahil ayokong maiwan mag-isa. I hate feeling lonely.

"Dapat doon ako sa building ko nagbabantay eh," she chuckled.

Ngumuso ako. "Nandoon naman si Hero, he can handle it." Hero is our Tresurer. Isa siyang medtech student kaya magkakilala sila.

"Oo na, oo na." Stefhany rolled her eyes and sighed in defeat. I know that she can't resist my cuteness at all. Perks of being cute.

"Saan ka pala naka-assign bukas?" Stefhany asked me out of the blue. Nakatayo kaming dalawa sa magkabilang gilid ng entrance. Often times, the students will greet us and I will just give them a sweet smile.

"Hmm," I bit the insides of my cheek. "Wala, all around ako. How about you?"

She rolled her eyes, looking furious. "Babantayan ko ang debate society. Nakakaloka. Ayoko 'don eh."

Tumaas ang kilay ko. "Why?"

"Boring." She mumbled bluntly. I slapped her arm because of her bluntness. "Bakit kasi may pabantay bantay pa? Si Alyza naman napakastrikto." Pagmamaktol niya sa akin.

"Typical Alyza. Kaya nga siya ang binoto nila dahil ganyan siya kaseryoso sa trabaho." I said. I really admire Alyza from Law Department. She's too good to be true. She really acts like a leader. Geez, sana lahat katulad niya. Matalino na, mabait na, maganda pa. Perfect package.

Kinabukasan, pagkatapos nang lunchtime ay dumiretso na ako sa office namin. Sandali lang kaming nag meeting bago naghiwa-hiwalay. The students were all aware about the club opening. Maari silang sumali sa isang club pero dapat hanggang tatlong club lang.

And the golden rule is, if you have a high position from a certain club, you are not allowed to join in another club anymore. Syempre ginawa namin 'yon para naman mabigyan ng pagkakataon 'yung ibang estudyante.

I am holding a blue clear folder while lurking around, it says there the room number for a certain a club. We chose at least 15 rooms for each club so they could use that for their meeting. Surely, newbies are not so all aware about the directions so I was assigned all around the campus to guide those students.

"Excuse me po,"

I looked back and faced the two ladies who caught my attention. Mukhang nahihiya pa sila sa akin dahil nakayuko silang dalawa ng bahagya. Typical newbies.

"Part ka po ng council?" One of them pointed out the badge in my ID. It was our Council's Logo.

I nodded. "Yes, how may I help you?" I asked sweetly.

"Saan po ang debate club?"

Bigla kong naalala si Stefhany kaya natawa ako pero mabilis akong nakabawi. This is embrassing, they would think I'm weird because I laughed with no reason at all.

"Wait a second." Binuksan ko ang hawak kong folder at hinanap ang room number ng debate society.

"Archi Building, room 26." Sagot ko matapos ang ilang segundo. "If you saw a tall young lady with a long black wavy hair standing outside a certain room, then that is your destination. Okay?"

They nodded and thanked me. Maraming estudyante pa ang nagtanong tanong sa akin hanggang sa nakasalubong ko si Kendra. As usual, hawak niya ang pamaypay niya at pinapaypayan ang sarili. Mukhang naiirita na naman dahil mainit ang panahon. Galit na galit talaga siya kapag mainit.

"Hey," I grabbed her hair.

"Ouch naman!" Reklamo niya nang mapahinto sa paglalakad. She checked for her hair clip first before glaring at me. "Why ba girl?"

"Bakit ka gumagala? You should be in Theater Club right now."

She told me earlier during our lunch time that she will join the Theater Club pero ngayon nahuli ko siyang palakad lakad lang?

"Err, ayoko na pala there." Umirap siya.

I raised a brow. "So saan ka pupunta?"

"I don't know eh." She shrugged then her face lit up afterwards. "Sama nalang ako sa'yo!"

I pinched her arm so she flinched in pain. Hindi naman iyon masakit pero galit pa rin niya akong tinignan. "You should join atleast one club, Kendra!" Hindi sa ayaw ko siyang kasama pero kasi kailangan niyang magparticipate!

She pouted like a kid. "Eh wala ako mahanap na right club for me."

"Where is Claudine? Sumama ka nalang kay Claudine."

"I don't want to be in English club!" Reklamo niya.

"Bagay ka 'don. Conyo ka eh."

"What?"

I rolled my eyes. "Just go with Claudine. Go, go with her!" I pushed her lightly. Pinalo niya naman ako gamit ang pamaypay niya kaya napaigtad ako. Geez.

"Fine fine, err you're so annoying talaga like Maegan." She rolled her eyes at me but then she gave me a flying kiss afterwards.

Maegan. Hmm, I'm sure she's in sports club right now. Gusto ko rin sanang sumali doon pero hindi na pwede dahil part na ako ng Council.

I lurked around until I found myself in the garden of life. I unconciously stepped backwards when I saw Jieven there. Nakaupo siya sa damuhan sa ilalim ng puno. Nakataas ang kaliwang hita at isinandal doon ang kaliwang braso, 'yun ang ginamit niyang unan. Is he asleep or what? Malungkot pa rin ba siya sa nangyari?

I bit the insides of my cheek before walking away. I went to the cafeteria to buy some ice cream and while paying, I noticed the candy container on the side. Something came into my mind so I bought some of it. I went back to the garden afterwards, naglakad ako papalapit sa kanya nang bigla nalang siyang nag-angat ng tingin kaya nagtama ang paningin namin. His hazelnut eyes glistened in mixed emotions, making him look enchantingly beguiling. Geez.

My hair was messed up and touching my face so I put some strands of it on the back of my ear. Mainit at masikat ang araw pero malamig at mahangin dito sa garden kaya walang problema.

I glanced back and stopped right in front of him. I hid the two ice cream behind my back to surprise him pero nang ibigay ko na ang ice cream ay tinaasan niya lang ako ng kilay.

Sungit.

"Ice cream? Gusto mo?" Alok

Akala ko tatanggihan niya pero tinanggap niya rin. He tapped the grass beside him, lowkey telling me to sit down. I was hesitant at first since I'm wearing skirt but then I couldn't just protest for unknown reason, I gladly sat down beside him. Patagilid akong umupo at medyo nahihirapan akong gumalaw galaw.

"Why do you always give me ice cream?" Tanong niya habang binubuksan ang cornetto na binigay ko.

I am intently watching his moves. I found it cute while he does that, I even noticed his long, thick eye lashes and God greatly knew how I envy those.

"Ice cream is good for the heart." I replied after a second.

Nagtama ang paningin namin at sa tingin ko ay tinamaan na rin ako sa kanya. Joke.

"How can you say so?" Masungit niyang tanong habang nakakunot ang makinis na noo.

I looked away. Ang ice cream ko nalang ang tinignan ko dahil ayokong makipagtitigan sa kanya. I could feel that he was still a bit sensitive so I carefully chose the right words to say.

"Ice cream makes people happy."

He tsked. "Do you think I'm not happy?"

"Do you think you're happy?" I fired back.

Sa pagkakataong ito ay siya ang nag-iwas ng tingin. Yes, nanalo ako. Joke. He started eating his ice cream while I am still busy opening mine.

"You know what," I started talking. "I know we're not that close but geez, you looked so fragile. No pressure, I just want you to know." I don't know where the hell I got the guts to say that. Hindi ko alam. Gustong gusto kong sabihin iyon sa kanya. Gusto kong malaman niya kung ano ang tingin ko sa kanya. Weird.

"Naawa ka sa'kin?" Nagbago ang boses niya. Naging chipmunks. Joke. His voice held confusion.

I was stunned by his sudden question. My throat went dry upon realizing that maybe I offended him at some point. Wait, did I?

"I'm not." Paulit-ulit akong umiling.

I don't pity him but I'll be lying if I'll say I'm not worried about his situation. I barely know that this is really awkward because we don't really know each other but I have the urge inside me, telling me to comfort him.

"I just hate seeing other people in pain. I hate sad people. I hate looking at them when they are in their vulnerable state. I don't know why, maybe it's my nature."

It's true. It's really true. Ayokong nakakakita ng malungkot na tao dahil kakilala ko man sila o hindi ay nalulungkot din ako para sa kanila.

"So you hate me?" He scoffed after the long silence.

"That's why I'm giving you some ice cream so that I cannot hate you anymore." I counter attacked.

He laughed a little bit. He took a glanced at me before looking away. "Why are you so nice to me well in fact we don't really know each other well?" Natatawa niyang tanong.

Bakit ba ang dami niyang tanong? Hindi tuloy ako makakain.

"Being nice is not a bad thing though. It's free to be nice. You don't know what tomorrow will bring so you should be nice everyday." I answered truthfully. Looks like he didn't expect it, amusement was visible on his face. My Mommy taught me when I was still young that I should be nice to everyone even if they are not nice to me.

"Be nice to everyone because you don't really know what happened to them through out the day." I shrugged.

He didn't respond but I saw his little smile, he tried to hide it from me but he failed. That was enough for me though. Ang aliwalas ng mukha niya kapag nakangiti at hindi nagsusungit o nakakunot ang noo.

"Anyway, why are you always here?" I asked all of a sudden. Wala na akong maisip na pwede naming pag-usapan kaya kung ano ang pumasok sa isip ko ay 'yun nalang.

"It's peaceful here."

May point siya.

"You were the lady in Coron." Dugtong niya bigla.

I looked at him, surprise with what he had confessed. I thought I was the only one who remembered that day. I'm glad he still recognized me. Lumingon siya sa akin at ngumisi. He moved backwards and leaned on the tree, still eyes pierced to mine.

He chuckled. "That was why you looked familiar to me." Bahagya pa siyang napailing habang natatawa. Geez, he's laughing. Hindi na siya ganoon kaseryoso katulad noong una.

"Uh," I bit my lower lip. "I don't intend to sound ambitious but.. you were staring at me there as if I killed your whole family. Why is that?" I asked reluctantly.

A little smirk formed on his lips. "You caught me. I must say you're dazzlingly pretty."

Bigla ata akong nawalan ng boses sa sinabi niya. I felt the strange butterflies in my stomach so I silently cursed myself but instead of answering I just shut my mouth since I don't have anything to comment. Should I say thank you? Oh, I would sound so conceited. Should I laugh? Oh, baka ma-offend ko siya. I couldn't decide so in the end, I chose to stay silent.

Gusto kong itanong si Natasja. Kung anong nangyari sa kanila pero magmumukha akong chismosa. Alam niya naman sigurong nakita ko silang dalawa noon sa Coron di'ba? They still looked so happy together when they were in Coron. Anong nangyari?

"I know what you're thinking," umismid siya. "We broke up last week." Seems like he heard what was the questions blooming in my head.

I didn't respond, I'm just staring at him, waiting for his next statement.

"She left me because she said," he exhaled a large amount of air. "She fell out of love."

"Fell out of love? Is that even possible?" Hindi ko napigilang magsalita.

Lagi ko kasing naririnig ang ganyang rason from my friends. Fell out of love? Paano 'yon? Bigla nalang nawala 'yung pagmamahal pagkagising mo sa umaga? Ganoon?

He shrugged. "It is possible. It just happened to me." Natatawa niyang sagot.

"Did you fought for your relationship?" Panghihimasok ko. Akala ko hindi siya sasagot pero nagulat ako dahil sumagot siya kaagad.

"I gave up." He simply answered. "May mali din ako kaya pumayag na ako." Dugtong niya.

Gustong gusto kong tanungin kung bakit niya nasabing mali siya pero hindi ko magawa. I think it is somewhat confidential so I just shut my mouth.

Umiwas ako ng tingin habang nag-iisip ng sasabihin. "People come and go." I don't know how to comfort someone but I will try my best. "You really love her, don't you?" I asked afterwards.

I remembered the time when I witnessed how Jieven grabbed her arm to stop her from walking away. The way he holds her while they were in Coron proves that he really loves her that much.

"It doesn't matter anymore." Bumaba ang boses niya.

"You know, someday, you will meet someone who will love you more than she love herself. Just wait for that day and I know you'll be alright in time."

Our gaze met. I gave him a sweet smile to lessen his sadness and to surprise me, he smiled. A genuine one. And geez, he looked more handsome with that. It was like a hand caressed my heart when he suddenly smiled. Nakakagaan ng pakiramdam kapag may napangiti kang malungkot na tao. It was satisfying.

Bigla kong naalala ang singsing niya kaya kinuha ko ang ID ko at tinanggal doon ang singsing niya. Sinabit ko iyon doon para kung sakaling makasalubong ko sana siya ay maibabalik ko kaagad.

"Here," I handed him the ring and he accepted it. "Who gave you that, by the way? If you don't mind me asking."

"My mom." He simply answered.

Tumango ako. "Okay." I don't want to question him anymore, I may look suspicious. Napansin kong medyo matagal tagal na rin kaming nakaupo. Naubos na rin naming dalawa ang ice cream namin kaya tumayo na ako.

"Shocks." I wiggled my legs. They feel numb.

Tumayo na rin siya at natawa dahil sa ginagawa ko. "What are you doing?"

"Uh," I looked up to him then chuckled. "Nangawit eh."

"Can you walk?"

I laughed a bit. "Of course."

"Okay." He shrugged.

"Anyway," nilabas ko sa loob ng bulsa ko ang isang Fres Candy na binili ko sa cafeteria kanina. I secretly giggled when I saw a glimpse of the message written at the back of the candy.

"Here, that's my simple gift." His forehead creased but he took the candy. Binaliktad niya iyon at nabasa ang message.

"Cheer up?" Pagbabasa niya.

"Yeah. Cheer up." I repeated.

The next day, I got up as early as 4am. Today is Saturday and it was my usual routine to jog every Saturday morning. I did my morning routine, washed my face, brushed my teeth, took a little shower and done. I just wore a simple black leggings, pink sports bra and I paired it with a small black crop top athletic jacket then lastly I wore a black white rubber shoes to compliment my outfit.

After stretching a bit, I went outside of my room. I'm pretty sure they are still sleeping so I walked slowly. Dahan dahan ko ring sinarado ang gate namin para hindi makagawa ng ingay bago nag-jogging palabas ng subdivision namin.

The sky is still dark. Wala pang masyadong tao sa labas pero may ilang kotse nang dumaraan. I'm humming a certain song while jogging. Suot ko ang earpods ko na nakaconnect sa cellphone kong nasa loob ng maliit na shoulder bag na suot ko. I brought my cellphone, wallet and a small towel also. Dadaan nalang siguro ako sa convenient store mamaya para bumili ng tubig.

It's almost sunrise when I decided to stop. Sa isang park ako huminto para sandaling magpahinga. I looked at my phone and it is already 6:27 am. I should stop and I badly needed a water. Tuyo na ang lalamunan ko at nauuhaw na ako. Tumayo ako matapos ang ilang minuto para maglakad papunta sa pinakamalapit na convenient store. I saw one nearby. Mabilis ko iyong nahanap. Pumasok ako sa loob at binati ako ng cashier kaya binati ko nalang pabalik.

I went to beverages section and grabbed the warm mineral bottled water since I am not allowed to drink cold water today. I am on my way to the cashier when my phone rang.

Claudine Calling..

Sinagot ko iyon. "Hello?"

"Tammy, let's go out!"

I moved away my phone from my ear looking a bit annoyed because of her voice. Napadaan ako sa isang container na naglalaman ng doughnut kaya nagcrave ako bigla. Ibinaba ko muna ang tubig na hawak ko sandali. Inipit ko ang cellphone ko sa tenga at balikat ko para mahawakan ko ang isang wax paper at 'yung tong pangkuha sa doughnut.

"Ang aga-aga tas gala ang nasa isip mo?" I fired back.

"Syempre mamaya pa. Basta labas tayo okay? I'll call Maegan and Kendra too!"

"What time?" Napangiwi ako dahil nahihirapan ako sa pagkuha.

"Tatawagan ko sila after ko kumain tapos we'll go after lunch. What do you think?"

"After lunch?"

"Yes! Basta sama ka, okay?"

Nagulat ako nang biglang may kumuha sa hawak kong wax paper at tong. Paglingon ko sa tabi ko ay mukha ni Jieven ang bumungad sa akin. My eyes widened in surprise but he just coldly shrugged. I stepped backwards to give him some space and watched him as he reached for the doughnut I was trying to get earlier.

"Hoy gaga, patay ka na ba?"

I got back to my senses when I heard Claudine's voice on the phone. "Oo sige, after lunch. Bye." I ended the call immediately and faced Jieven.

He was waiting for me to finish my conversation with Claudine and the moment I put down my phone, he gave me the doughnut. I unknowingly eyed him from head to toe, he was wearing a simple black shirt, gray sweatpants, at black shoes.

"Nag jogging ka rin?" I asked unknowingly.

Tumango siya. Kinuha niya ang isang bote ng tubig na nakapatong sa lamesa. Kinuha ko rin tuloy ang akin.

"Are you going to pay?" He asked while looking at my bottled water.

"Yes,"

"Okay." Tipid niyang sagot. 'Di man lang ako inaya!

Sabay kaming nagpunta sa cashier. Paminsan minsan pa siyang nagpupunas ng pawis. Ako ang pinauna niya sa pila kaya nasa likuran ko siya. I can even smell his manly scent because of our narrowed distance.

"You jog every saturday morning?" He asked out of the blue. Ow, he insisted a topic.

"Yeah, healthy lifestyle ako eh." Sagot ko nang hindi siya tinitignan.

"Good for you."

Gusto ko pa sanang magtanong pero turn ko na para magbayad. Pagkatapos ko ay hinintay ko nalang siya sa labas. It would be so rude of me if I will just leave without saying a proper goodbye. Ilang minuto lang din naman ay lumabas na siya habang umiinom. My eyes went to his neck and geez, he gulped so manly. Fudge. Bigla atang nanuyo ang lalamunan ko.

My eyes widened when he glanced at me. I instantly looked away and I tried my best to pretend that I was busy watching the sky while playing with my water bottle. I could even feel the hotness of my face, freak.

He cleared his throat so I looked at him. "Oh you're here." I said as if I wasn't staring at him earlier but instead of answering me, he handed me something.

A candy.

Kinuha ko iyon at napangiti nang makitang fres candy katulad nang binigay ko sa kanya kahapon.

"See you around, Tammy." He said before turning his back and walked away from me.

Sinundan ko nalang siya ng tingin hanggang sa mawala siya sa paningin ko. Muli kong tinignan ang candy na binigay niya. I flipped it and read the message audibly.

"Thank you."

—