What Destiny Lies for Us (Esperanza Series #1)

Chapter 08

Chapter 08
Ice Cream Stains
raeminiscence | #WDLFUwp

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"Oh, nandito ka pa? Kanina pa uwian mo, 'di ba?"

Maddox had his arm around his friend's shoulder, the dangling hand moving with his words. Nakatanggal ang lahat ng butones ng polo niya at nakasuot 'yun sa ibabaw ng puting undershirt niya. Sa kanang balikat lang din niya nakasabit 'yung strap ng backpack. Hindi rin niya dala 'yung duffle bag niya dahil wala siyang training. Medyo nagamay ko na 'yung schedule ng training nila sa tagal na naming nag-uusap.

Pinasadahan ko lang ng tingin 'yung mga nakapalibot sa kanyang mga kaibigan niya. Lahat naman sila pamilyar sa'kin pero wala na sa'kin na alamin kung anong pangalan nila. Ayaw ko ring malaman. I just knew most of them were from ABM.

"Oo, may PE practice kami dito kanina."

"Uuwi ka na ba?"

I still had an hour left before Pierce's tutorial session ended today. I had no tasks to mind for the rest of the day so I wanted to make the most of it by clearing my mind with nature.

I shook my head in a shy manner because his friend was looking at me weirdly—not because of me, but because of the whole situation right in front of them. While doing so, they tossed the ball mid-air and twirling it along the pads of the fingers.

"Maglalakad lang ako sa labas."

He tapped his friend's shoulder twice. "Dehins muna ako ngayon, pre."

They shot him an unbelieving look, taken aback. "Oy, bakit? Ikaw 'tong aya nang aya kanina."

Maddox removed his arm from his friend's shoulder. One of them took the ball away from the friend while the others around Maddox went inside the gymnasium to prepare themselves for their own play and ruckus.

"Tsk. Basta pass. Susunod na lang siguro ako mamaya."

"Siguro? Gagi, ayos naman."

I bit my lip nervously, contemplating whether I should go or stay; I went with the former. Tutal wala namang kailangan sa'kin si Maddox, I didn't see any point on prolonging my stay. May pinag-uusapan din naman silang magkaibigan na 'di ako maka-relate. It's better if I went ahead.

With an anticipatory heart, footsteps approached me. The familiar, although diminished, smell of Maddox's perfume made me turn my head to him.

"Ba't umalis ka na kaagad?" Maddox intrigued.

"Wala naman akong gagawin doon." I examined him up and down, raising the slope of my eyebrow a little. "Bakit ka nandito? Hindi ka ba maglalaro?"

He shook his head casually. "Ihahatid kita e."

"W-What?!"

Nilingon ko ang gym para tanawin ang mga kasama niya. Mula sa kinatatayuan ko ay nagmistulang na lang na mga langgam ang mga nasa loob—langgam na nagpapasahan ng bola. Ano bang nasa isip ni Maddox ngayong oras na 'to?

"Ngayon ko lang narinig na tumaas ang boses mo. Gulat na gulat ah?"

I disregarded his observation at the back of my mind. Now wasn't the time for that.

"Anong ihahatid?"

"'Di naman ihahatid. Mas gusto ko 'yung term na sasamahan."

"Sasamahan..." I repeated, unsure. "Saan mo ako sasamahan?"

"Kahit hanggang saan mo gusto, sasamahan kita."

A cheeky tone prevailed in his voice. I glared at him when I didn't receive the answer I wanted. Nanghihingi ng matinong tanong 'yung tao e.