How To Write A Love Story

Chapter 3 Mr. Smile

"Hello?" 

"Pag hindi ka pa tumayo diyan in 30 seconds. Magkalimutan na tayo!"

"Tammy!"

"Tumayo ka na! Hindi ka na pumasok sa first class natin, first day na first day!"

"Oo na. Kala mo nanay eh!"

"Heh! Tayo!"

End call. Agad-agad kong pinatay yung TV at tinanggal yun sa saksak. Pinulot ko yung bag ko sa sofa at tumakbo palabas ng bahay. I made sure na nakalock yung pinto bago ako umalis.

Hindi ko akalain na mabilis akong tumakbo. May future pala ako sa Triathlon kapag nagkataon. Triathlon agad? Haha. Pero ayun. Buti nalang nakasakay agad ako sa bus. Take note: Pahabol pa yun. As in yung tipong magsasara na yung door pero bigla kong pinigilan. Tingin lahat ng pasahero eh. Syempre, nagsorry naman ako sa abala.Nakakapagod tumakbo. Buti nalang, may vacant seat kaya agad akong umupo. Pag sinuwerte ka nga naman.

My heart’s beating fast and I’m palpitating. Kailangan ko kalmahin yung sarili ko. Baka himatayin ako nito eh.

 

“Miss. Okay ka lang?” 

Tanong sakin ng katabi ko. He’s wearing the boy’s uniform ng school namin. He must be a schoolmate.

 

“Hah? Ah. Oo. Napagod lang sa pagtakbo.”

“Pansin ko nga eh. Kinareer mo ata.”

“Late na kasi ako eh. Ayoko mabulyawan sa first day. Nakakahiya.”

“Pareho lang tayo.” 

And he smiled. Oh wow! That smile. I can’t believe a smile like that exists. Para akong nasa ulap. Okay na ulit ako. Wow ah! Ibang klase talaga.

 

“Whoa! You look red. You sure you’re okay?”

“Y-Y-Yeah. I-I’m good. Prolly because of the heat.”

“Probably.” 

And he smiled again. Nakakatunaw ah. Nananadya ba siya? I like that smile. And as you might have noticed, I don’t like liking people. Well, at least, random strangers… especially kung guy. Baka mafall kasi ako eh. I haven’t fallen yet.  And from what I’ve heard, falling for someone is a sign of attachment… I’m not good in that department. Attachment.

Napansin ko na kanina pa siya nakatitig sakin. Baka napansin niya na na nakasuot ako ng same uniform. Itatanong ko sana yung name niya nang…

 

“Well, we’re here.”

“Huh?”

“We have the same school, right?”

“Oh yeah. Great. Thanks! I was in the clouds there.”

“I’ve noticed.” Smile na naman. Nakakairita na ah.

“Yeah, well…”

“Let’s go.”

 

And he took my hand. Feeling close? Kinikilig ako. Ganito pala yun. Natatawa nalang tuloy ako eh.

“Well, I’d go ahead na. You sure you’re going to be okay? You still look a little red.”

“Yeah. Sure. You go ahead. Bye.” 

And he left smiling and waving his hand. Natutunaw ako ah. Pwede dito muna ako hanggang sa feeling ko nasa---

Ahhhh! I wasn’t able to get his name. Disappointment.

*school bell rings*