Author's Note (The Villain Series 1)

Kabanata 16

Kaagad niyang nilingon si Adamas. "Hey! Hurry up! Console her and don't make her cry for too long, you slowpoke!"

Kaunti na lang at mapipigtas na ang pasensya niya sa lalaking atras-lakad ang ginagawa. Sumisilip ito pero kaagad namang nagtatago, natatakot na baka halimaw ang makita.

Oh, humans.

Napahilot siya sa kaniyang sintido. "I can't believe I was inspired by this scaredy cat, crybaby and slowpoke! Why did you choose this kind of guy, my Noa? Argh!"

Five minutes had passed and finally! Adamas Laurien finally walked out behind the tree and see for himself the crying woman.

Napatalon siya sa tuwa. "Finally! Argh! So frustrating!"

"Ahm . . . a-are you okay?"

Napatagil sa pagtalon si Adamas dahil sa itinanong nito sa babae. "Are you dumb, human? Of course, she's not okay. Who would in their right mind cry while feeling happy? Idiot!"

He started cursing the guy inside his head when Noa looked up. It wasn't just him who was frozen by the beauty in front of them. Sabay silang natulala dalawa habang pinagmamasdan ang kayumangging mga matang nakatingin sa kanila. Or rather to Adamas . . . Laurien.

"What do you think?" Pinahid ni Noa ang mga luha bago umiwas ng tingin.

Nang bumalik sa diwa ang lalaki, kaagad itong may kinuha sa bulsa at inabot kay Noa. "H-here, you can use this."

Noa took a glance. "Thanks. But I think you need it more than me. Mukha kang walang may-ari."

Napahalakhak naman siya matapos iyong sabihin ni Noa. Sinilip niya ang mukha ng lalaki. Lalo siyang natawa nang makita ang namumula nitong mga pisngi.

"I told you! You look like a mess." Umalingaw-ngaw ang tawa niyang literal na maririnig ang 'haha' sa buong paligid pero siya lang din ang nakakarinig.

"Don't mind my face. J-just take it," he insisted. Umiwas ito ng tingin habang ang kamay ay pilit pa ring inaabot ang panyo kay Noa.

Naglakad naman siya nang kaunti palayo sa dalawa at pinanood ang mangyayari. He sat on the ground as he witnessed their first meeting. Not only the events but also their emotions.

Both were crying, but one of them was already affected by the other. And he could perfectly see that.

"Sure ka?" sagot ni Noa.

Tumango naman ito.

Tinanggap ni Noa ang panyo. Si Adamas Laurien ay nanatiling nakatayo sa harap nito at pinanood si Noa. Walang nagsasalita sa dalawa hangga't sa tumayo ang babae. Mukhang aalis na.

"Isauli ko na lang 'to sa 'yo sa susunod. What's your name?" She glanced at his clothes. "We have the same badge on the uniform so I assume we are at the same university. Anong course mo?"

"I'm Adamas Laurien. BS Business Ad--"

"You're Adamas Laurien?!" Noa cut him off. Kumunot ang noo nito. Her emotion was clouded with annoyance.

Nagulat naman ang lalaki. "Y-yes. Why?"

Noa walked toward him and slammed the handkerchief into his chest. "Wala na pa lang next time. Thank you. Ikaw na bahalang maglaba r'yan. Wala namang virus ang luha ko kaya you'll be fine."

She then walked away, leaving Adamas Laurien dumbfounded.

'What did I do?' If he could read his expression, that was what he was saying.

Tumayo na siya sa pagkakaupo at lumapit sa lalaking tinarayan na agad ng babaeng hindi pa nagpapakilala sa kaniya. Napailing siya habang natatawa pa rin.