The End of Daylight

Falling

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"Ate! Wake up! Get up now!"

I freaked out when I felt that someone was grabbing my comforter out from my body. Mabilis kong hinila iyon pabalik at muling hinanap ang tulog ko. I slept late last night so I badly needed a long hours of sleep.

"Ate! Wake up!" Muli ko na namang naramdaman ang paghila sa comforter ko kaya hinawakan ko iyon ng mahigpit. I groaned in frustration before covering my eyes using my arm.

Ngunit bigla nalang akong napaupo sa kama nang makaramdam ng sakit sa tyan. I whimpered in pain while holding my stomach and massaging it slowly. Freak! Ang sakit sa tyan! Dinaganan lang naman ako ng kapatid ko! Geez! Akala ba niya magaan pa siya?

"Tamara! Get off me!" I pushed her softly making her fall on my bed. She immediately stand up and put both of her little hands on her waist, ready to scold me.

Great, I just woke up. My little bitchy sister just ruined my peaceful sleep. Ramdam kong nagigising na ang diwa ko kaya nagpapapadyak ako sa inis. Tell me, how can I manage to sleep again? Kulang na kulang pa ang tulog ko. Gusto ko pang humiga.

"Ate! It's already morning! The sun is out!" She pointed out the window. Nahawi na ang kurtina doon kaya tumatagos na ang liwanag sa loob ng kwarto ko.

"So? What am I supposed to do, Tamara? Do you expect me to Photosynthesis? So what if the sun is out?" I raised a brow, trying to calm and force myself not to hit my sister.

Tammy, calm down. She's your sister. But freak! Nagdidilim ang paningin ko, freak, baka masakal ko nang wala sa oras si Tamara.

Nameywang siya sa harapan ko. "Ate! You're already late!"

Doon lang ako natauhan at napatingin sa wall clock ko. Oh my freaking goodness, it's already 7 am! I immediately went off the bed and threw my sister a sweet smile.

"Thanks for waking me up, bitchy!" I yelled. She just rolled her eyes before crawling out of my bed.

Pagdating sa school ay talaga namang late na ako. Good thing the security guard is my friend and he knew me so he let me in, perks of being an active student. Sinabi ko rin naman sa kanya ang totoo at sinabihan niya akong huwag nalang daw sanang mauulit at buong puso naman akong tumango.

One week had passed and we did nothing but to write different articles and study how to read and make reports and such. Hindi na rin kami madalas sabay kumakain nila Maegan at Kendra dahil busy sila sa sarili nilang school requirements. Maegan was busy regarding her plates and Kendra was busy doing their performance tasks.

"Paabot nga ako ng extra ballpen." Claudine softly said.

Inabot ko ang ballpen na pinakamalapit sa akin at binigay sa kanya nang hindi siya tinitignan. We're in the library because instead of eating our lunch, we are doing our report. We did ate heavy snacks earlier so we're still somehow full.

"The yellow pad please, itransfer ko lang 'tong sinusulat ko." She pleased again.

Inabot ko ulit ang yellow pad niya. She wasn't looking at me. She was busy writing and revising her report. I was about to write when she started talking again.

"Ano? Ano na namang ipapaabot mo?" I glared at her irritatedly. Mukhang nagulat siya sa sinabi ko pero tinawanan lang niya ako. Hindi ko na kasi nasimulan ang sinusulat ko dahil ang dami niyang pinapaabot. Geez.

"Relax, relax, high blood ka masyado." She raised her hands in the air as if she's trying to calm me. "I'm just going to ask if you're done already?"

I shook my head. I even sighed in frustration. "This is too long. I can't take it anymore." Reklamo ko.

I could barely remember what happened to me in the bar last week. That was embarassing! I was too drunk that I blabbered things in front of him. Though I did not do anything to harm him, I just asked question but still, geez that was close. Hanggang ngayon tuloy ay nahihiya pa rin ako kay Jieven kapag nakikita ko siya. Hindi rin nakakatulong na nakikita ko siya lagi kapag training at mas lalong hindi nakakatulong na nakikita ko siya ngayon habang seryosong naglalaro.

"Titig na titig ka kay Jieven ah."

"Ha?" I looked sidewards. Daryl sat beside me while playing with his tumbler just like me. We're taking a break after the long training so we are free to do whatever we want.

"I just caught you staring at him. Oh, huwag mong ideny!" He laughed a bit. He poked my shoulders consecutively and teased me.

"Nye nye nye." I sneered. I'm out of words to say. I just played with my tumbler while looking at the Volleyball boys team across us. Kanina pa sila naglalaro at nag-eenjoy akong panoorin sila. Ang saya kasi nila.

"You know what? I'm not really a fan of Jieven and Natasja ever since then." Daryl commented after a moment.

Doon ako napalingon sa kanya dahil nakuha niya ang atensyon ko. Mariin lang naman siyang nakatingin sa pwesto nila Jieven pero maya maya ay lumingon din siya sa akin.

"What? Bakit naman?" My forehead creased.

"I don't know, wala akong makitang spark. Di'ba kapag sila talaga nung tao kahit ibang tao eh kikiligin sa kanila? Ewan ko, wala akong maramdaman." He shrugged his shoulders, looking disappointed.

"Maybe because.." I stopped midway, lowkey thinking of my next words.

"Maybe because what?" The side of his lips rose while waiting for my answer.

"Because you're heartless!" Geez. Walang kwenta. Wala kasi akong maisip na dahilan kung bakit ganoon ang nararamdaman niya. Napakawalangkwenta tuloy ng sagot ko.

"La, ako pa sinisi mo, langya." Napailing siya. "Maybe because they are not really compatible. Baka ikaw talaga nakatadhana sa kanya. 'Yun ang sa tingin ko, sa tingin ko lang ah." Nagkibit balikat siya at umaktong inosente. He was obviously teasing me about Jieven.

"Bakit ako nasali?" I asked, my voice held confusion.

"Ewan ko rin." He shrugged with a wide grin plastered on his lips. He then playfully winked at me when I didn't respond for a second.

Hinampas ko sa braso niya ang tumbler na hawak ko dahil sa inis. "Umalis ka na nga! Corny mo talaga!" With my full force, I pushed him away from me, he just laughed and ran before I could even hit him again using my tumbler.

When I looked back at Jieven, I was caught off guard when I saw him looking at me. His gaze flew to Daryl then came back to meet my gaze. His face darkened. He was hell serious while defiantly glaring at me. Naputol lang ang tinginan namin nang kausapin siya ng coach nila. I washed away my thoughts about him. It's no longer healthy.

"Oh bakit ganyan mukha mo?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Maegan nang dumating sa cafeteria si Kendra na nakanguso. Ngayon nalang ulit kami magsasabay sabay na kakain ng lunch sa cafeteria. Katatapos lang din ng practice namin ni Maegan.

"I know I'm cute." Kendra answered, sounding conceited kahit nakasimangot siya. Nabulunan bigla si Claudine kaya tinawanan ko imbes na bigyan ng tubig pero hindi ko rin natiis kaya binigay ko ang juice ko.

"Gaga talaga." Maegan mumbled.

Kendra sat beside Maegan and crossed her arms over her chest while pouting.

"But seriously what happened? Why do you look upset?" Ako na ang nagtanong dahil mukhang aasarin lang siya nila Maegan.

"I lost my hairclip!" She hissed, about to cry.

"Taenang hairclip 'yan." Reklamo ni Maegan.

I refrain myself from laughing. Maegan looked pissed. Siraulo talaga, imbes na tulungan ay inaasar niya pa.

"I lost my hair clip girls! What should I do? Oh my gosh. This is so nakakaloka. That was one of my recent collection. Oh my gosh." Pinaypayan niya ang sarili gamit ang kamay.

"Pakamatay ka na."

"Maegan!" I slapped her hand.

"Just buy a new one, Kendra." Claudine suggested and I agreed.

The classes were cancelled in the afternoon because the admins raised an urgent meeting for the teachers. Students are allowed to go home to take a rest but the athletes are the only exeption.

"Ano game?" Pang-aaya ulit sa akin ni Daryl. Mabilis akong tumango at ngumisi but even before I got to hold my racket, I saw Joshua walking towards my direction. He smiled and waved his hand to acknowledge my presence.

"Daryl, wait. Five minutes!" Sigaw ko sa kanya na nasa kabilang base.

He raised his racket. "Take your time bruh!"

Mabilis akong naglakad para salubungin si Joshua. Nakasabit sa isang balikat niya ang itim niyang bag pack.

"Yo, why are you here?" Bungad ko.

"Binibisita ka ata? 'Di ko rin sure." He scoffed, acting innocent.

Napairap nalang ako bago ko tinuro ang bleachers. "Upo ka muna 'don. Nood ka ng game."

"Sige." Pag sang-ayon niya.

Nang makita kong nakaupo na siya ay bumalik na ako sa base ko. I glanced at Joshua and he gave me a thumbs up so I smiled in return. The game started after a few moment but then I noticed that Daryl was distracted because he kept on missing the ball.

"What's up? Any problem, Daryl?" Sigaw ko mula sa pwesto ko. Nag-aalala ako dahil mukhang may problema siya. I wonder, what is it?

Nginisihan lang niya ako. "Isa pa!"

Naglaro pa nga kami at ako naman ngayon ang natalo. Inasar asar tuloy niya ako pagkatapos. Doon ko napagtanto na wala siyang problema at sinasadya niya madistract ako.

"Galing ah." Joshua praised me when the game ended. Nakaupo siya sa bleachers habang nakatayo naman ako paharap sa kanya habang nagpupunas ng pawis.

"Utot mo." I snorted out.

"Seryoso nga. Mukha ba akong nagjojoke?"

"Tigilan mo nga ako, Joshua." I rolled my eyes but he just laughed. We chitchat for a moment but we stopped talking when somebody cleared his throat behind me. It was too sudden that I just found myself looking at Jieven with my eyes widened in surprise. Kanina pa ba siya sa likuran ko?

"Hey," I awkwardly greeted him. Ilang araw ba kaming hindi nag-usap? Isa? Tatlo? Lima? Pitong araw na ata. I unconciously eyed him from head to toe. He was wearing a simple black volleyball shorts, black athletic shirt, and dark blue shoes paired with black athletic socks. Maayos ang buhok niya kahit pa katatapos niya lang maglaro. He looked so fresh and flawless. And instead of talking to me his eyes landed on Joshua and let out a small smile.

"Can you excuse us for a minute?" Tanong niya dito na ikinagulat ko.

"Ah kasi," mukhang nagdadalawang isip si Joshua. Magsasalita na sana siya ng biglang dumating si Hero na may hawak na bola.

"Dude!" Nakipag high five ito kay Joshua. Napatayo tuloy ang huli at umalis sa bleachers para pantayan ang dalawang lalaki.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito, Josh?" Hero curiously asked while playing their ball in his hands while Jieven looked pissed while glaring at Hero.

"May binisita lang." Joshua blushed. I can't help but to let out a small laugh.

"Tamang tama! Maglalaro sana kami, pero ayaw ni Jieven dahil kulang kami. Tara laro, sali ka sa'min dude!" Masayang aya ni Hero dito na ikinalaki ng mata ko.

Napatingin ako kay Hero na ngiting ngiti habang naghihintay ng sagot kay Joshua. Alam kong hindi siya makakatanggi but he can't play! Nakauniform siya at mahihirapan siyang gumalaw kapag naglaro kaya bago pa siya sumagot ay humarang na ako sa gitna nila.

"Omo! He's about to leave, Hero. He can just play next time, right Joshua?" I prayed to all God and Goddesses that he'd say yes but it was the otherwise.

"Sige, tara laro."

"Kaboom!" Masayang bumalik si Hero sa mga kasamahan niya para sabihin ang magandang balita. He looked like a kid who just recieved a bike and bragging it to his friends. And then when I glanced at Jieven, he smirked before following Hero.

I furiously glared at Joshua whose starting to unbutton his white polo. "Joshua no, you can't play with that clothes." Pagpipigil ko pero mukhang desidido ata siya.

"I can so don't worry, volleyball lang naman, hindi naman basketball."

"You sure?"

Nilapag niya ang hinubad niyang polo sa ibabaw ng bag pack niya. He was left with his white in-set shirt. "Oo naman." Ngumiti siya at kinindatan ako. "Nood ka ah." Anas niya bago tumakbo sa pwesto ng volleyball team. Mabilis kong kinuha ang gamit ni Joshua at sumunod sa kanila. Sa kabilang bleachers kasi sila nakapwesto kaya kailangan kong lumipat para mapanood sila.

"Mukhang maganda 'to ah. Bili ka popcorn." Maegan took the seat beside me while wiping her sweat using a clean white towel. The other athletes stopped playing for a while to witness the game. Seriously? Parang division level na ang mangyayari ngayon ah?

Jieven and his team are in the right side while Hero and Joshua are in the opposite side. May isa silang referee na nasa gitna. He whistled so everyone stood straight and went on their designated places. They had this position in the game and I don't really know about it.

I'm freaking nervous about this game. Seryosong seryoso kasi silang lahat maliban kay Hero na ngiting ngiti lang, pachill chill lang.

"Mukhang aso amp," Maegan mumbled, when I looked at the direction she's looking at I was shookt to figure out that she was definitely looking at Hero. Wala sa sarili akong napangiti.

The referee whistled twice and the game begin. Hero was holding the ball. He successfully served it and before it landed on the opposite side, Jieven was there to push it back. Nagpalitan sila ng palo hanggang sa bumaba ang bola sa side nila Hero.

"Okay lang 'yan guys!" Hero cheered them up.

Another round, si Joshua ang server kaya kinabahan ako. I never saw hin playing volleyball, ngayon lang. Napapikit pa ako ng paluin niya ang bola, pagdilat ko ay pinagpapasahan na ito ng magkabilang team. Wow! May experience siya sa paglalaro!

Jieven was so strong that the ball immediately landed on the ground when he slapped it hard. Joshua tried to stopped it but he failed. The audience groaned, ang iba ay pinalakpakan si Jieven. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung papalakpak ako o ano kaya nanahimik nalang ako.

"Sayang, ang lapit na ni Josh!" Maegan exclaimed in frustration, mukhang kila Hero kumampi.

"Good job, cap!" One of Jieven's teamates praised him. Walang reaksyon si Jieven, tumango lang.

Nakatulala lang akong nanonood nang bigla akong kalabitin ni Maegan. "Kanino ka ba kampi ah?" She annoyingly asked.

"Uh ano.." I unknowingly scratched my arm. "Wala, nanonood lang." sagot ko dahil sa totoo lang wala naman akong kinakampihan. Pareho kong sinusuportahan si Jieven at Joshua.

"Ano 'yon? Hindi pwedeng ganon. Neutral? Walang ganon! Kanino nga?" Pangungulit ni Maegan sa akin.

"Kila Joshua, oh okay na?" Napipilitan kong sagot. I don't know why I chose Joshua's team. Alam ko naman kasing magaling si Jieven at kaya niyang buhatin ang buong grupo niya.

"Yown! Ganyan dapat!" Maegan giggled.

Joshua glanced at me so I gave him a thumbs up to boost up his mood. Another round, si Joshua ang nakapwesto sa gitna, kapareho ng pwesto ni Jieven sa kabilang side.

Pinalo ni Joshua ang bola nang maglanding ito malapit sa pwesto niya, mabilis na naibalik ito ni Jieven. Palipat lipat ang tingin namin sa kanilang dalawa. Sila nalang kasi ang tumitira. Nagtataka na rin ang iba nilang kasamahan. What's happening between them?

I heard Maegan beside me laughing at the scene in front of us. "Sige, magpaluan kayo, papulahan kayo ng palad mamaya." She was laughing hard while holding her tummy.

Nagulat naman ako nang biglang naghiyawan ang mga tao. Kaagad kong hinanap ang bola, kung saan ito bumaba at nagulat ako nang makita iyon sa base nila Jieven. Hero hissed and jumped in victory. They played for four consecutive rounds until it ended. And to surprise me, it's a tie.

Everyone went on their places after the game. Joshua insisted to wait for me until the training ends so I just let him do what he wants.
Nauna nang nagpaalam sa akin si Maegan nang mag-uwian kaya naiwan ako kasama si Joshua.

"Sabi ko sa'yo huwag ka na maglaro kanina eh. You didn't listen." I still can't forget what he did. He should not have agreed, it was not a big deal to decline their invitation.

"Wala namang nangyaring masama ah." Nagawa niya pa akong tawanan.

"Kahit na, pwede ka namang umayaw." I said without looking at him.

"Hindi pwede eh."

"Bakit?"

"Magmumukha akong mahina."

I paused from fixing my things when I heard his answer. Mabilis kong sinarado ang duffel bag ko at hinarap si Joshua. Nakapagpalit na rin ako ng damit at handa ng umuwi.

I glared at him with a serious face. "Why? Are you competing with Jieven, Joshua?"

"Kapag sinabi kong oo, magagalit ka?" He asked like a kid, hindi pa rin nawawala ang ngiti sa labi niya.

I looked away. Why would he compete with Jieven? Ano bang problema niya? But then instead of answering, I just changed the topic. Ayoko ng palakihin ang issue. Ayoko ng pag-usapan ang tungkol sa nangyari kanina, sumasakit lang ang ulo ko.

"Let's go home." I said. He nodded and stood up, he then reached for his bag but before we could even walk away, someone grabbed my arm.

"Can we talk?"

My heart pounded in both excitement and nervousness when I got to see his face. I felt the urge to say yes but I almost forgot that I need to go home early, we will have a family dinner tonight.

Mabilis kong inalis ang kamay niyang nakahawak sa akin at hinarap siya. His eyes were glistening in astonishment. He was surprised by my action, he then pursed his lips.

"Why? Why should we talk?" I fired back.

He looked at me directly to my eyes, as if he's begging for me to say yes. Why, Jieven? Why are you looking at me like that? I wanted to ask that but I refrain myself from doing so. Natatakot ako sa magiging sagot niya.

"Just for a minute." He answered desperately.

"Tara na, Tammy." Narinig ko ang pagtawag ni Joshua kahit alam niyang nasa harapan namin si Jieven.

Jieven looked pissed by that action. Looks like he was controling himself not to cause a scene. Narinig ko pa ang malalim niyang paghinga. He then licked his lower lip and looked away after a minute of silence.

"Uuwi na ako eh. Sa susunod nalang." Mas mabilis pa sa hangin akong nawala sa harapan niya. I don't want to leave. I wanted to talk to him but I'm scared of what he'll going to say. I'm scared to hear his thoughts.

Naramdaman ko nalang na sumunod sa akin si Joshua kaya pinigilan ko ang pag-iisip ng kung ano-ano. Tumabi siya sa akin at nag-aalala akong tinignan. "Anong nangyayari sa'yo? May problema ba?"

I sighed in frustration. "Wala naman." I lied. Pati ako ay hindi ko na alam ang nangyayri sa sarili ko. Naguguluhan na ako.

The next day after lunch, Claudine and I went to the library since we still need to finish some paperworks and I needed to finish my powerpoint presentation before the said time. I will be presenting in front later regarding a certain topic.

I bit the insides of my cheek to refrain myself from looking back at him. I could feel that he was staring at me. He's here. He was already here even before we enter the library. He was with his two classmates I think, I'm not familiar with their faces.

"Ano ba, para kang natatae." Claudine slapped my hand that was placed above the table. I flinched in both pain and surprise. Bigla bigla nalang kasing namamalo.

My forehead creased. "Why?"

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Anong why? Umayos ka nga. The table keeps on moving because of your freaking feet. Tigilan mo nga 'yan, nahihilo ako sa pagbabasa."

Doon ko lang napansin na kanina ko pa ginagalaw galaw ang paa ko at tumatama iyon sa paa ng lamesa. I don't know, it satisfies me but it seems like Claudine was frustrated about it.

"Okay okay." I sighed in defeat.

Pumikit ako at sumandal nalang sa upuan ko. Hindi ko na alam ang nangyayari sa sarili ko. I'm ignoring him, I'm freaking ignoring him. It's not like Jieven is not a good person, it's just things were too complicated between the two of us.

I sighed heavily before glancing a little at him. He was reading a certain book. Magbabasa siya tapos maya maya ay may isusulat siya sa notebook niya. He looked so freaking good with his specs. Hindi ko napigilang purihin siya pero mabilis akong nag-iwas ng tingin nang mag-angat siya ng ulo.

"I knew it!"

Halos mapatalon ako sa nerbyos ng biglang magsalita si Claudine. Her arms were crossed over her chest with a wide grin plastered on her face. Wait, kanina pa ba niya ako tinitignan?

"Kaya ka naman pala mukha kang bulate na nilagyan ng asin dahil nandyan siya." She mumbled to me playfully.

"Eh ano naman?" I rolled my eyes, trying to divert her attention not to tease me.

"Anong eh ano naman? Kanina ko pa kayo napapansin na dalawa. You both looked stupid. Mga magnanakaw kayo." She sneered.

My forehead creased. "What? Magnanakaw?"

She raised a brow. "Oh, why? You'll deny it? Kanina pa kayo nagnanakawan ng tingin sa isa't isa eh. Mga magnanakaw kayo." Inismiran niya ako at inirapan.

What? Seryoso ba siya?

"Give me your phone." She showed me her palm.

"Why? What will you do?" Kinakabahan ako sa pwede niyang gawin. Si Claudine pa naman 'to, hindi siya matino.

Tinampal niya ang kamay ko kaya napaigik ako. "Just give me your phone, boba."

I was left with no choice so I gave her what she wanted. She opened my phone and positioned it like she's about to capture something.

"What the hell are you doing?" Nagtatakang tanong ko.

"Usog ka ng kaunti banda dito." She waved her hand at my right side. Isa rin ata akong tanga dahil sinunod ko siya.

"Bawal magcellphone dito, ano ba." I was about to snatch my phone from her but she immediately hid it under the table.

"Don't you know the quotation 'teamwork makes the dream work'?" She asked me out of the blue.

Mabilis akong umiling.

"Hays, napakaluma mo talaga." Muli niyang itinutok sa akin ang phone ko. "Smile ka kunwari dali." She instructed me. Ako naman si tanga na ngumiti.

Pagkatapos 'non ay binalik niya sa akin ang cellphone ko. Mabilis kong kinuha iyon at tinignan ang gallery. All along I thought she was taking a picture of me but she was actually capturing another people! Si Jieven ang nasa litrato habang nagbabasa ng libro.

"Ayan, para hindi ka tingin ng tingin pinicturan ko na para sa'yo." Claudine mumbled before I could even asked.

This bitch, I really love this bitch.

After the class, I texted Manong Adrian to fetch me. Nauna nang umuwi sa akin si Claudine dahil may hiniram pa akong libro sa library. The training was also cancelled because it was raining really hard.

Pababa na sana ako ng hagdan ng biglang may humarang sa nilalakaran ko galing sa likod. I was shookt when I realized that it was Jieven. He was defiantly glaring at me as if I did something wrong to him.

"You're obviously ignoring me." He said in monotone before I could even speak. At dahil nakatapak siya sa unang baitang ng hagdanan ay magkapantay ang mukha naming dalawa.

"I'm not, I'm just busy." I fired back.

"You're not talking to me."

"I'm already talking to you." I counter attacked.

"You're ignoring my messages."

"I'm busy doing my report."

"What's happening to you?"

"I don't know!" Hindi ko na napigilan ang pagtaas ng boses.

Nagulat ata siya sa pagsigaw ko sa kanya dahil napaatras siya ng kaunti. Nakaramdam din kaagad ako ng konsensya kaya umiwas akong tingin dahil sa hiya. Geez. What is happening to you, Tammy? Bakit kay Jieven mo binubuhos ang galit mo?

I heard him exhaled a large amount of air afterwards. The sound of the rain lingered between the two of us and it was freaking awkward. Too silent, too deafening, freak.

"Kasi naman, ang kulit kulit mo." I frowned.

"Why are you even blaming me?" He asked, with full of confusion.

I glared at him furiously. "What do you want from me, Jieven?"

He intently looked at me in the eye. It was like he was trying to dig deeper until he reach the last corner of my eye, carefully studying my emotions and such. I don't know if he was actually thinking of his next words or he was just unconciously looking at my face. Nakita ko pa ang paglunok niya bigla.

"Nothing." He looked away, ignoring my gaze. Nakita ko ang pamumula ng pisngi niya.

"Wala naman pala, excuse me, I need to go." Nilampasan ko siya at nagsimula nang humakbang pero kaagad akong napahinto nang hawakan niya ang braso ko.

I don't know what's happening to me. Ang gusto ko lang ay iwasan siya dahil ayokong mapasama sa magulo nilang mundo ni Natasja.

"Don't ignore me." He pleased. I was caught off guard when I heard his hoarse voice. It looks like he was suffering from something and refraining himself to talk more. I may not looking at him but I could feel that he was staring at me and it freaking gives me goosebumps.

"Why are you doing this to me, Tammy?" He pulled me to face him. His facial expression softened when he saw my face. "What are you doing to me?" He added, sounded a little bit enraged.

I bit my lower lip. "I.." I intentionally paused, thinking of what should I say. Napayuko ako dahil hindi ko kaya ang makipagtagisan ng tingin sa kanya.

"You're what?" He asked, sounding impatient with his brows a bit furrowed.

I don't want to be part of your world. Your world with Natasja is too complicated.

I wanted to say it but I don't have enough courage to do so.

"I'm not ignoring you okay? Let's just talk tomorrow. Drive safely, Jieven." I smiled sweetly before I turned my back at him. Mabilis akong naglakad pababa ng hagdan at palayo sa kanya.

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