How To Tame A Demon

Chapter 38

38 : Fast

"Exchange student?" I echoed, trying to make sense of the dean's words. Tumango siya, confirming what I had just heard.

"Yes, exchange student."

"During this semester? Sigurado po kayo? May lilipat habang nasa kalagitnaan ng sem?" I asked, confusion lacing my voice. Bakit sila tatanggap ng exchange student kung patapos na ang semester?

"I know, but the president agreed on letting the student exchange dahil para rin naman ito sa university natin, to see if our education system is still up to date. And also to learn what the other universities are in for this year," he explained, his tone calm and certain. I nodded, still processing the information.

"Sige po," I responded, though hesitation lingered in my voice.

Seeing that he had nothing more to add, I stood up, breaking the silence that had settled between us.

"May iba pa po ba kayong sasabihin?" I asked as I prepared to leave. He shook his head with a small smile.

"Wala na, Mr. Chavez. Thank you again for considering my favor to you."

I nodded again, turned to leave, but just before I closed the door, something nagged at me, and I looked back.

"Dean?" I called out softly. Napatingin siya sa akin, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. "Yes?"

"Sino po yung student na sasamahan ko?"

"Emma. Her name's Emma Castro."

***

"Class dismissed," our professor announced as the bell rang, signaling the end of the period. Nagsi-tayuan ang mga kaklase ko, eager to leave the classroom.

I took my time packing my belongings, then made my way to the door. As I walked through the hallway, I glanced at the time on my phone, trying to gauge how much longer I had until I needed to meet Harry.

Hindi ko pwedeng hindi samahan si Harry sa lakad namin, especially after everything Travis has put him through. Masyado na akong makapal ang mukha kung hindi ko pa siya pagbigyan.

Utang na loob ko na ito kay Harry, and I can't let him down.

As I stepped out of the campus, I texted Harry to ask where he was. Mabilis naman siyang nag-reply.

Harry:

i'm already here at the shop. btw, may naghihintay sayo ngayon dito

Harry:

should we let him come along?

Avery:

Sino?

Harry:

travis

I stopped dead in my tracks, my heart skipping a beat as I read Harry's reply. Si Travis? Bakit nando'n siya?

Without wasting another second, I hurried to the milk tea shop where Harry and I had planned to meet. It didn't take long before I reached the shop, the cool air conditioning greeting me as I stepped inside.

Agad kong sinuyod ng tingin ang loob ng shop until my eyes landed on two familiar figures sitting at a table. They were locked in a silent standoff, exchanging dark looks. I took a deep breath and walked over to them, my steps careful and deliberate.

"You're here," Harry greeted me as soon as he noticed my approach. I offered him a small smile, nodding in acknowledgment.

Just as I was about to sit beside him, a hand suddenly gripped my arm, pulling me down into the seat next to him. Napaungot ako sa pagkakahila niya and turned to face him.