I Could Fall

Chapter Five

I was reading while eating the sandwhich that my mother prepared for me when a hand holding a toblerone bar suddenly blocked my book from my view. "H-Hyon, oh."

My forehead creased. I looked up and saw Jordan, he's the same grade as me but he's in a different section. His face was a little red as he looked at me.

"Ano 'yan?" tanong ko rito.

Kahit na alam ko naman kung ano. This morning, teo boys from my class already gave me sweets while we were inside the classroom.

"Para sa'yo." His face reddened even more. "Happy Valentine's Day."

"Oh." I glanced at Dashiel. Break namin ngayon at palagi kaming magkasama. He was watching us while eating his chips. He looked like he's watching T.V. with the way he's looking at us right now.

"Uhm. Happy Valentine's Day din. Thank you." Tinaggap ko ang Toblerone dahil nakakahiya naman kung tatanggihan ko.

I am being teased to different boys. Inaasar na may crush ang mga ito sa akin. Nahihiya ako sa tuwing ginagawa 'yon pero ngumingiti na lang ako.

Now that I'm also crushing on someone, I can relate to them. I wonder if Ali feels the same whenever I'm giving him anything? Tulad ko ay nahihiya lang tumanggi sa akin kaya tinatanggap?

Naisip ko tuloy ang cupcake na ibibigay ko sa kanya mamaya. My mother baked cupcakes for my father and I asked her for a piece. I just told her that I'll be giving it to a friend. She didn't ask any further so I was safe.

Jordan left in a hurry. He looked so happy at our interaction. It reminds me of myself. Ganoon na ganoon ako nang

"Pang-ilan mo na 'yan?" tanong ni Dashiel.

"Fourth." I squinted my eyes at him. "Ikaw naka-sampu na diba?"

Umiling siya. "It's annoying. Gusto mo ba sa'yo na lang yung chocolates?"

"Don't be rude. They like you and they just want to show how much through their gifts," I scolded.

"It's a bother." He shrugged.

Sumimangot ako kay Dashiel. Bakit ganyan siya mag-isip? Ganyan din kaya ang iba? Si Ali? Is it a bother to him to entertain or be nice to those who have a crush on him like me?

Ayaw ko ng mga naiisip ko. Overthinking is not healthy. That's what my mother says.

Hindi pa tapos ang break pero umakyat na kami nang matapos kumain. Nagpaalam si Dashiel na kakain kaya mag-isa akong naglakad patungo sa building namin.

One water bottle on one hand and the toblerone bar on the other. Sa gilid ako dumadaan para makaiwas sa tirik na araw. Nakatingin lang ako sa mga paa sa bawat hakbang.

My heart almost fell out of my chest when my head bumped against something. I was about to stumble backwards but a pair of hands stopped me from falling.

"Careful." Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang marinig ang pamilyar na boses niya. I couldn't lift my head up faster.

"Ali!" I didn't hide how extremely happy I am to see him like this.

Sa nakalipas na mga buwan na naging crush ko siya, ngayon ko lang siya nakasalubong nang ganito. Well, aside from our first meeting at the gym.

"Hi." He handsomely smiled. "Recess niyo?"

I calmly nodded. "Yes."

Bumaba ang tingin niya sa kamay ko at napangisi nang makita ang chocolate na hawak ko.

"Hmm... An admirer gave that to you?" He was looking at me with teasing eyes.

My face flushed. "It's a gift for Valentine's Day."