Love Me in Brooklyn

Chapter 32 - Cheer

I was in the middle of reading an excerpt at the back of a book when I felt someone wrapped his arms around my waist. I panicked and immediately looked behind me, only to see Russell staring at me.

"Wag ka ngang nanggugulat! Akala ko naman kung sino! Muntik na kitang masapok diyan!"

He planted a soft kiss on my hair. "Is there anyone else who'd hug you besides me? Sino? Sabihin mo para makausap ko."

Ang kaninang inis ko ay unti-onting napalitan nang tawa. "Nagseselos ka ba?"

"No. I'm just saying. No one's supposed to hug you but me."

"Wala naman talagang yumayakap sa'king iba kundi ikaw---Ay si Marina rin pala. Tsaka si Papa! At Tita Myra... And Kuya Milo rin minsan. Hehehe."

Napailing lang siya at inalis na ang yakap niya. Tiningnan niya ang librong hawak ko. "You haven't read Romeo and Juliet?"

"Ay sila ba 'to?"

"It's literally written in front," sarcastic na sagot niya.

Inirapan ko siya at ibinalik na lang ang libro sa shelf. MALAY KO BA? HINDI KO NAMAN NAPANSIN??!!!

Russell chuckled and when I glanced at him, he's smirking like a fool. Para bang may joke akong sinabi kaya siya natawa.

"What?" I demanded.

"Bakit ang sungit mo?" rinig na rinig ang pangaasar sa tono ng pananalita niya.

I glared at him. "Hindi naman ah!"

"You're frowning." Hinawakan niya ang noo ko kaya tinanggal ko kaagad ang kamay niya.

"Bigla bigla ka kasing tumatawa. Are you making fun of me? May nakakatawa ba sa itsura ko?"

He shook his head. "Bakit ka ba nagagalit? Is it because you're upset that I haven't taken you out on a date after I told everyone you're my girlfriend?"

Natahimik ako dahil hindi ko ine-expect na mahahalata niyang nagtatampo ako. Madalas naman siyang tumatawag sa akin tuwing nasa dorm na ako at ganoon pa rin naman ang routine namin after classes---practice, meeting, study---pero pakiramdam ko kasi ako lang ang super excited na makasama siya. He doesn't smile or speak a lot so it's hard to tell.

Umiwas ako ng tingin at hindi nag-deny. He chuckled again so I groaned.

"Will you stop laughing? It's annoying!"

"You look cute when you're mad but okay. I'm sorry..." He smiled and placed both of his hands on my shoulders. "I was just trying to get your head straight for the upcoming exams. When I'm around you, you and I tend to get easily distracted. It would be impossible for us to accomplish anything if I stayed with you all the time."

I was... speechless. I didn't realize that he was only thinking about me.

"We can go on a road trip afterwards," He suggested.

My eyes sparkled. "Talaga? Saan naman tayo pupunta?"

"Kahit saan. Your call. Basta ipasa mo exams mo."

"Deal!" masayang sambit ko. "Halika, bumalik na tayo sa table. Turuan mo naman ako sa isa ko pang subject!" Hinila ko na ang braso niya para hindi masayang ang oras namin. He returned my phone but I didn't accept it. Magaaral kaming dalawa!

I suddenly felt motivated. Gusto kong makakuha ng mataas na grado para makasama ko siya nang matagal. I studied day and night until the exam week arrived.