The Art of Loving a Beast (La Fortuna Series #4)

Kabanata 2

Inirapan niya ako. "Huwag siyang magpapakita sa akin. Subukan niya lang na saktan ka. Isusumbong ko siya sa mga pinsan mo! Tignan natin kung hindi 'yon pulutin sa kangkungan."

"I'll talk to him, okay? Let's not jump to conclusions."

She sighed. "Fine. But next time he treats you like shit, he's dead." Hinalikan niya muna ako sa pisngi bago lumapit na sa mga block mates niyang nags-stetching.

I arrived just in time at the Gym for our class to start. Dumapo ang tingin ko kay Stefan na nasa 'di kalayuan. He looked apologetic. Akmang lalapitan niya ako nang talikuran ko siya upang kausapin ang isa pa naming block mate.

Dalawang oras ang PE namin. Nag-practice lang kami ng iba't-ibang estilo ng pag-serve sa unang kalahati ng klase. Since we still had some time left, our PE Instructor told us to start a friendly match. Dahil hindi ako interesado, umupo na lang ako sa benches upang magpalipas ng oras.

I took out my phone and scrolled through social media. I viewed Kenneth's IG story and heart-reacted it. Nasa bowling alley siya kasama ang kaniyang mga kaibigan. My phone suddenly beeped for a message, so I opened it.

Kuya Liam:
Hi love. Your Mom called me to say that Manong Fred had to do some errands today. Are you still in school?

Celia:
Yes, Kuya. Will you pick me up?

Kuya Liam:
I'm still in a meeting, but yeah I'll fetch you.

Celia:
Thanks Kuya. Take care! x

Napatalon ako sa upuan nang mapansing nasa tabi ko na pala si Stefan. Umusog ako palayo sa kaniya at itinuon na lang ang pansin sa friendly match ng mga block mates namin.

"Celia," he said softly and caught my hand.

Binalingan ko siya nang pinagsalikop niya ang aming mga daliri. My heart melted a little when I saw his handsome face. Kahit pawisan ay presko pa rin ang kaniyang amoy.

Stefan reminded me of the boy-next-door characters I read in novels. Kung totoo ang spirit animals, sigurado akong golden retriever ang spirit animal niya. He always made me feel adored and comforted.

"What?" I asked softly. Unti-unti nang natutunaw ang pagkadismaya ko sa kaniya.

"I'm sorry. I really was busy earlier. My Mom wanted me to join her for lunch. Nagkataon lang din 'yong nakita mo kanina. I didn't even know the girl sitting beside me. I was there because of Henry. The one sitting across from me?"

I visualized their sitting arrangement at the benches earlier. Napanguso ako nang matantong tama siya. Henry was sitting across from him.

"Are we okay?" he asked when he saw the hint of realization on my face.

A small smile rose on my lips. Tumango ako sa kaniya. "We're okay. I'm sorry Fiona embarrassed you earlier."

"It was fine. I'm glad you have her as a friend."

I pouted when he gave me a hug. May narinig akong paghiyaw galing sa katabing bench, tinutukso kami. Tinawanan ko na lang 'yon at niyakap din siya pabalik.

Dahil bati na kami ni Stefan, mas tumabi pa ako lalo sa kaniya. I showed him pictures of cute goats I found on the internet. We then gossiped about his parents. Separated kasi ang parents niya kaya kailangan may schedule ang pagkikita niya with either of them.

"Celia! Dock!" I heard someone shout from afar.

Huli na ang lahat nang matanto ko ang dahilan ng sigaw na 'yon. I felt the sting on my face when the volleyball hit me right on my left cheek. Sa sobrang lakas ng impact ay pakiramdam ko naalog 'yong ulo ko. I was kind of dizzy for a moment. Noong magka-ulirat na ay natanto kong pinalilibutan na ako ng aking mga block mates.