Artistry of Love (Abstract Series #3)

Chapter 2

"Mr. Facundo here managed to pass the examination and will be switched to our section. I hope you will all embrace him enthusiastically," our teacher declared, making my smile slowly fading.

Trip raised his hand and smiled broadly, as if he was going to be running for a position in the government. His smile faded when his attention landed on me. What exactly was that attitude?

"May I have a seat, ma'am?" Trip questioned respectfully. We are a star section, and anyone who can master the special exam can join us. Kaya nga nandito si Trip.

"Sure, Mr. Facundo! You can sit beside..." Our teacher looked around the classroom for a spare seat.

My brow furrowed when I noticed that the chair next to me was unoccupied. Before I could even place my bag in it so it wouldn't be vacant, our teacher pointed in my direction.

"Bakante ang upuan sa tabi ni Ms. Cabrera. Doon ka umupo."

Great! Kung sinuswerte ka nga naman! I forced a smile when my classmates flashed me envious glances.

Hindi ko alam kung saan titingin habang naglalakad palapit sa akin si Trip. I'm still struggling to visualize the reality that we're now classmates, at magkatabi pa! My efforts to avoid him were wasted.

"Sigurado ka?" gulat na tanong ni Sheena sa akin habang naglalakad kami palabas ng gate noong uwian na.

I nodded desperately. "You can sit beside him. Doon na lang ako sa upuan mo!"

She was reluctant, as if she was considering something. I sighed heavily, unable to grasp the entire thing.

"Ayaw mo ba? Crush mo naman si Trip!" I exclaimed, kulang na lang lumuhod ako sa harapan niya.

"Oo naman 'no! Kaso nakakapagtaka lang kung bakit ayaw mong katabi 'yong tao?" Her forehead creased. "Mabaho ba?"

"I-It's not that I don't like to be seated next to him. E, kasi…" I looked up, as if I could find the answer from there. "M-Magagalit si Keith!"

Her jaw dropped as well as mine. Bakit sa lahat ng pwedeng gawing rason at 'yon pa talaga ang naisip ko?

Her shocked expression turned into a teasing one. She even poked my waist, which I immediately avoided. Nakatingin lang siya sa akin na may ngisi sa labi.

"I was joking!" bawi ko agad pero hindi siya naniwala at mas lalong lumaki ang ngisi. "Nagbibiro lang talaga ako!"

She nodded, but her expression displayed her suspicion. Kahit nang sumakay ako ng taxi, tinutukso niya pa rin ako.

"Kaibigan lang pala ha!" she exclaimed.

Pinandilatan ko siya ng mata. "Shut up!"

"Ikaw ang shut up! Clown ka, beh?" tukso niya bago ko tinaas ang bintana at sinabihan ang driver na umalis na.

Habang nasa taxi ako, I couldn't help but feel foolish for providing her more grounds to tease and push their fantasy about my relationship with Keith. Panigurado akong sasabihin niya 'yon sa iba at kakalat sa mga classmates ko.

"Mom," I murmured, my face flushed as I saw my own mother having a cup of tea on the lounge.

Minsan ko na lang siyang nakikita. She's always on the move. She had stopped caring about me, as if I had never happened at all.

Hindi man lang siya tumingin sa akin at pinagpatuloy ang ginagawa. Even though I was accustomed to her harsh treatment towards me, it never struggled to break my heart.

"Nakauwi na po ako." When people my age arrive home, they do this. Unfortunately for me, I have no family to welcome me home after a long and exhausting day at school.