Apricity (Published under PSICOM)

14th

Umupo na rin ako at tiningala siya. His moves were sluggish. He took the seat in front of me.

"Ano yung sinasabi mo? Ah," wika ko nang maalala. "Bakit? What's with the way I speak?"

His ever so serious face stared right back at me. Thank God, I don't get intimidated anymore. I think I'm getting used to this as his normal expression.

"Parang..."

Hindi niya natuloy ang sinasabi. Tila nahihirapan.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Parang?"

Nanatili sakin ang matapang niyang mga mata.

"Masyadong..."

Muling nabitin ang sinasabi niya. Animo'y nahihirapan pa rin.

My brows furrowed.

"Masyadong ano?"

Ngayon ko lang ata siya nakitang nahihirapang i-express ang sarili niya. He had always been straightforward.

Kalaunan ay suminghap siya at bumitiw mula sa pagkakatitig.

"Nevermind," he exhaled harshly.

Sumuko na siya na animo'y hindi talaga kayang banggitin ang tinutukoy niya. Marahil hindi magawang bitawan ang salitang nais niyang iparating. Weird.

Nang dumating ang order namin ay tinabi ko ang document case niyang nakapatong sa lamesa. Dahil transparent ay nakita ko pa ang loob noon bago ilipat sa upuan.

I was able to glimpse on the photocopy of his registration form. Third year na pala siya. Kabatch niya sina Davion at Adea. Cal and I are both second years.

"You're taking up Engineering?" binuksan ko ang bag ko upang kunin ang sariling metal straw at itusok iyon sa inumin.

"Yes,"

I also took a spare and slim one to do the same on his iced coffee without bothering to throw him a look. Nabitin sa ere ang kamay niyang hawak na sana ang plastic straw.

I felt his gaze on me.

"Really? That's nice.. My brother's also into the same field." wika ko habang nakatutok sa paghahalo ng inumin. "He likes the one about production and stuff.. What was that... Chemistry Engineering?" hindi-siguradong saad ko.

"Chemical," pagtatama niya.

"Right," I nodded then took a sip from my drink before turning to him. "Yours is?"

"Civil."

My lips formed a round shape while slowly nodding. Hinila ko ang plato ng tacos at kinuha ang nakahiwalay na sauce noon.

"You must be good at Math then.." I dumbly blabbered while pouring the sauce. I took a piece.

"Not really."

I almost rolled my eyes. Duda 'ko sa sagot niya. I slightly pushed the plate of burger towards him and continued munching the tacos.

"Eat that," wika ko saka humigop uli mula sa inumin.

Umangat ang kilay niya. Kumuha ulit ako ng tacos at sinubo iyon bago tinulak din ang plato noon sa kanya para ialok.

Inangat ko ang milk tea upang tignan ang paligid noon at muling haluin.