The Burnt Out Gifted Kids (Under Revision)

01: IT'S NOT NICE SEEING YOU AGAIN

MARCH 28, Tuesday

Fueled by a sense of disdain, napasabunot ako ng buhok. My gaze roamed over the wrought iron gate before me, its hue a striking and luxurious shade of deep black, a stark contrast against the lush greenery surrounding it. Aiden Rosewald, from the very first day we met, always knew how to push my buttons at the wrong time.

Ilang beses ko nang na-message si Aiden sa Messenger pero hindi pa rin ito nagre-reply. Concentrating not to lose my cool, I clenched my phone with a rue smile as I fixed my stare at the checkmarks next to my messages. Ba't hindi ito sumasagot kahit online ito?!

Tomorrow na ang deadline ng geotech activity namin. Although it only consisted of only a single problem, the challenge was immense. Rinig ko sa classroom, aabutin nga raw ng hanggang tatlong pages ang solution. Almost one week na rin ang lumipas simula nang binigay 'to sa amin, yet, in our case, we hadn't even begun due to Aiden's constant stream of excuses.

                     "Antagal pa niyan, chill lang. We should do that on Wednesday."

                     "Tomorrow na lang, please. Hmm. Reina? Inaantok pa ako eh."

                    "Reina, may urgent work sa Blueprint. Bukas na lang, ha? Promise na talaga."

Damn him for subjecting me to such torment. Iniisip ko pa lang, parang gusto ko na siyang sakalin.

Dahil sa inis ay dire-diretso kong ni-ring ang bell nila. It was at times like these that I was reminded of why I preferred working alone on an activity. Tsk. Pero kahit gawin ko to individually, hindi ko rin masasagutan.

Nanlula akong napatingin sa problem sheet na hawak-hawak ko. Arrghh! Kainis, ba't ang hina ko kasi sa engineering?

My patience was already at its peak nang may papalapit na mga yapak akong narinig. Malilintikan talaga sa akin 'tong mokong na 'to.

"Putangina, sa wakas! Kanina pa ako rito ha. Ba't antagal mong lumabas? Sinabi ko na sayo 'di ba na-" My voice immediately died down as an unfamiliar figure propped out of the gate. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko, and I instinctively took a couple of steps backward at the unexpected sight of him wearing a matte black swim shorts. The man appeared as if he had just emerged from the water, with droplets still cascading from his hair. He had a towel draping from his shoulders, slightly exposing his sinewy upper body.

Hiya akong napatalikod at pinasadahan ng tingin ang ibang bahay sa block nila. Baka nagkamali lang ako ng pinuntahan. Pero tama naman. Sila lang ang may black na gate! Imposibleng magkamali ako. Ilang beses na kaya akong nakapunta rito. Sigaw ko sa utak ko at agad naman akong napakayumos.

"Matcha?" He murmured and I shook my head, unable to process what he said.

Nag-alinlangan akong humarap sa nagsalita, trying so desperately to focus on his eyes and to not look down.

I couldn't help but steal a glance at him. Jusko, sobrang gwapo! A tall and incredibly attractive man. It was almost surreal how someone could exude such beauty kahit basambasa ito.

"I'm Ethan," he introduced, extending his long-fingered hand to me. Napatingin lang ako sa kamay ni Ethan; then balik sa mga mata niya. "I apologize for my appearance."

It took a moment for me bago ako muling nakapagsalita. "A-andyan ba si Aiden?" I stammered, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear. With a chuckle, Ethan retrieved his hand. Noticing it, I reached for his hand, shaking it in an awkward manner.

Surprised by my own insolence, I immediately dropped his hand. "Sorry. Sorry," I said quickly, averting my gaze, as I was having this uncanny feeling that he was inwardly laughing at me. Ghad. Nakakahiya.