belamour | mark lee

09 - Narration

A R E U M

I literally frozed in my position. Feeling ko pati paghinga ko naudlot dahil lang sa presensya niya. I shut my eyes and tried hard to hold the papers Archer just handed me.

Umikot si Archer paharap kay Mark at kita kong ginawa nila yung fist bump ba yon? Basta yung typical way of greeting ng boys.

“Dude, ngayon ka rin pala eenrol?” Archer asked and even chuckled. Gusto ko matawa, kasi alam naman na niya na nandito si Mark kasi gawa nung tweets ko.

“Yeah, may lakad kasi kami next day.” he answered. Gustong gusto ko siya tingnan pero hindi ko magawa. I’m shy.

“Bakit pala wala ka nung isa? Nagb-ball kami.” Mark asked. Gusto ko na hilahin si Archer paalis kasi feeling ko hindi ako makahinga dahil sa bilis ng tibok ng puso ko pero at the same time, I want to stay so I can hear him talking.

“Ah nung niyaya ako ni Haechan? I was busy that day.” Archer said.

I fiddled with my fingers and bit my lower lip. Pinagdasal ko na sana dumating na sila Solomon para ma-interrupt ang pag-uusap nila. O di kaya ay tawagin na si Mark sa counter.

They both continued talking and I also noticed some students looking at the two of them. Enjoy na enjoy ang mga mata nila sa panonood. Huwaa, ako rin. Gusto ko rin sila panoodin at i-admire si Mark Lee.

“Areum!” napalingon ako ng marinig ang boses ni Solomon. I sighed in relief when I saw him finally back with Jihoon and Yago. May kulang kasi si Jihoon kaya pumunta pa sila doon sa faculty.

“Uy, Mark Lee.” Jihoon at binati na rin si Mark. Kahit papano napawi ang kaba ko. At least he will be too busy to talk to even set eyes on me.

“You okay? Namumula ka.” Yago said when he stand close to me. I pouted and he just let out a chuckle while opening a bottle of water.

“Here,” at inabot pa sakin ang bagong bukas na tubig.

I pouted and accepted it after thanking him. I was minding myself and the water bottle when suddenly, Archer softly held my arm.

“Ah bestfriend ko nga pala, Mark. Si Bae Areum.” biglang banat ni Archer at nang tingnan ko siya ng nagtataka, he just winked at me then pulled me beside him, in front of Mark.

He quickly flashed me thosw charming smile before extending his hand, “Hi, Areum. I’m Mark Lee. Are you new here?” he said.

My friends laughed at the familiar remark and he looked confused. I sighed, instead of feeling offended, I was used to it. Hindi talaga ako yung tipo ng tao na natatandaan. I’m often invisible. Except, of course, to my friends.

I tried my best not to show how nervous I was when I smiled and accepted his shake hands. Tumingin ako sa mata niya at parang sasabog ako. His eyes, grabe.

“No, I’m not new. Hindi lang talaga ako pansinin.” I said. Mukha naman siyang nagulat at parang naguilty pa.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t--” inakbayan siya ni Archer at parehas silang tumitig sakin. Si Mark na mukhang guilty at si Archer na nakangisi.

“That’s okay, dude! Ganyan talaga si Areum. Minsan nga di ko na rin napapansin na nandyan siya e---aray!” hindi ko na siya pinatapos at hinampas ko siya sa tyan.

Mark chuckled and was about to say something but his name was called by the counter.

“Tawag na ako. Nice meeting you, Areum!” he flashed me a good smile before saying goodbyes to my friend.

Naglakad na siya papunta sa counter pero nakatitig pa rin ako sa kanya. I heard my friend's chuckle before Archer wrap his arms around my shoulder and started leading the way.

“Naks, shake hands ft. crush.” asar ni Jihoon.

“Baka naman mailibre mo kami dahil dyan, Areum. Wag na nakakahiya naman.” Solomon.

I chuckled and looked over at Archer, “Thank you.” I smiled.

He scoffed and messed my hair. “Anything for you.”

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