Training The Ensign

TTE: 07

Chapter Seven: Stay Away

I can't stop my eyes from staring at the great Allistaire. I still can't believe he's that rich! Kaya naman pala maarte at snob 'tong lalaking 'to, mayaman pala. I stared at him even more and observed the things he's doing while eating.

Using the disposable plastic spoon and fork, Allistaire ate his chicken slowly. He dipped the chicken first in the plate of gravy before eating them. Hindi ko maiwasang pagmasdan ang paraan kung paano niya ibuka ang kaniyang bibig, ang paraan kung paano niya maarteng hawakan ang kutsara at tinidor, ang mga maliliit na detalye tungkol sa kaniya.

"Hoy, baka matunaw 'yan." I rolled my eyes at Nova. She really knows how to ruin the mood! Kitang busy pa 'ko sa pagtitig kay Allistaire, e.

"Epal ka 'no?"

"E kasi naman 'te, titig na titig ka sa kaniya!" Angal niya habang dinuduro ako gamit ang kaniyang kutsara.

"Shh. Huwag ka nga maingay. Baka marinig ka nila Brile, asarin pa 'ko lalo!" Dinunggol ko siya bago iritableng tumingin muli kay Allistaire.

Eyes wide open, shocked from what just happened, lips formed an o-shape, I shifted my gaze away from the almighty Allistaire. Napalingon sa'kin si Limuel! Paniguradong sasabihin niya kay Allistaire na tumititig ako. I'm doomed.

Nagpaalam ako sa kanila na magr-restroom lang ako. Lakad-takbo ang ginawa ko papuntang CR dahil sa kahihiyan na natamo. I'm really doomed. That basketball player of a best friend just caught me staring at his friend! Sinong hindi magtataka sa inasal ko, e halatang laway na laway na 'ko diyan kay Allistaire ani nga ni Nova.

"I told you it's bad to stare, Mendoza."

Nahampas ko ang noo ko dahil sa narinig. Now I'm imagining his voice! Ganiyan ka ba ka-patay sa kaniya, Rilynn? I sighed and was about to open the faucet when a strong body bumped into me.

Nakanganga akong nag-angat ng tingin. The freak? Pati ba naman katawan at mukha niya naiimagine kong nasa harap ko? Hinampas ko ang noo ko ng ilang beses bago nilingon ang seryosong lalaki sa harapan ko. Luh, ayaw umalis ng imagination ko ha. 

Inangat ko ang kamay ko upang mahawakan ang imaheng nasa harapan ko ng bigla akong hawakan nito.

"Oh my gosh!" Tili ko. Humakbang ako palayo dahil sa gulat na ang totoong Allistaire pala ang nasa harapan ko.

Hinawi niya ang kamay ko palayo bago nagsalita. "You think you're imagining things, huh?" He smirked at me. Inis na ipinikit ko ang aking mga mata dahil sa kahihiyan.

"Stop staring. And..." Tiningnan niya 'ko mula ulo hanggang paa bago ipagpatuloy ang sinasabi. "Stay away from me." With that, he turned his back and walked away from me.

Days passed and now it's Monday. We have a short meeting in CAT at exactly 3:15 p.m or as it is called in military time, 15:15. They said that they will dismiss us at exactly four kaya naman I'm sure na hindi ako male-late sa rehearsals ng dance troupe.

"Okay, dismissed."

We did the facing 'harap sa likod' and shouted 'uwa' before separating ways. Allistaire was there during our meeting and like what he said, I should stay away from him.

Not because he's our senior but because of how bad he treats me! I know we're not that close but to insult me like I'm some kind of trash really hurts my ego. Tingnan ba naman ako mula ulo hanggang paa, ganda ganda ko, e!

Tuwing nakaharap ay gumagawa ako ng paraan para hindi siya tingnan sa kahit anong paraan. Kahit kamay, paa o binti man lang niya'y hindi ko nagawang tingnan. I did my best to look at other things while paying attention to what the officer in front is saying.