Chased by El Lewis Vesper Esquivel

Chapter 7

The weather was actually good for swimming. It was quite cloudy but not to the extent that the rain will pour. Hindi masakit sa balat.

We are both seated in a different lounge chair, pero magkatabi pa rin. I looked at the ladies, foreigners to be exact as they displayed their bodies. Some students also opt for swimming at mamaya pa sila siguro kakain ng lunch. The way that they are all having fun in the pool made me want to swim too.

I looked at him as he continued to look serious while he was on his phone.

"I wanna swim too." I blurted out.

He gave me his attention but with brows furrowed. Then he looked at our surroundings. And by the way he looks at it, he looks so bothered and uncomfortable.

"No, we just had our lunch." He dismissed me then went back to his phone again

Tumaas ang isang kilay ko sa sagot niya. "Mamayang gabi, bago ako kakain ng dinner."

"No. I have a meeting with the organization for our activities for tomorrow." He commented. Nanatili ang tingin niya sa kanyang screen.

Kumunot naman ang noo ko. "I am just saying. I am not asking for your permission. Talagang mag swiswimming ako mamayang gabi." I cleared my statement this time.

He then looked at me piercingly. Why is he even looking at me like that? Wala namang  masama sa sinabi ko, ah?

"Then sasama ako, I will finish the meeting early so wait for me."

I looked at him weirdly. Him and Joaquin really almost act the same whenever it concerns me. Or maybe I'm assuming things? Bakit naman siya magiging concern sa akin diba? Then why does she keep on nagging me with things? Ang daming bawal kagaya lang ni Joaquin.

But maybe because of my parents again.

"Bahala ka…" I shrugged my shoulders.  But then eventually I can't help but smile. Siya naman ngayon ang kunot ang noo sa akin.

"You really remind me of Joaquin." I stated with a smile.

Kaagad na nagbago ang ekspresyon niya. Nagsusungit na naman. He avoided my smiling gaze then looked in front with his jaw, clenching hard.

"Tsk. Don't compare me to him." He scoffed.

I laughed a little bit at his remarks. "Why not? I am comfortable with you because you remind me so much of Joaquin."

Mas lalo kong nakitaan ng galit ang mga mata niya ng muli niya akong balingan ng tingin. He then sat properly and fully faced me. Binaba niya ang mga paa niya mula sa lounge chair at hinarap ako ng buo. He then put his forearms on his separated knees.

"You are insulting me." Suplado nitong sumbat.

My eyes went wide with his remarks. Now, that is an insulting one for me!

"Joaquin is my only friend, he is the only one I could trust. So I am not insulting you!" I fired back.

But then he just rolled his eyes on me and stood up. Maarte talaga.

"Let's go." He reached out his hand but I looked at it plainly. So instead, I stood up and walked past him. Hmmmp! Bahala siya sa buhay niya.

Pero nakaka ilang hakbang palang ako sa may gilid ng pool ay muntik na akong madulas.

He was able to reach for me before my body could hit the concrete side of the pool. I could feel my heart beating fast out of the adrenaline rush of my supposed falling. I could even hear the murmur of the people around us who probably witnessed what happened.

With my eyes wide open, his arms were wrapped around my waist as he looked at me angrily. And he is even gritting his teeth.

Ano na namang kasalanan ko? 

He helped me stand up properly. And I wasn't able to do anything when he suddenly carried me to a bridal style. I was quite shocked by what he did and I was supposed to protest but the presence of wrath on his eyes made me shut up.

Napalabi na lamang ako. He is really scary when he is angry.

Linayo niya ako sa may pool area at akala ko bibitawan na niya ako pagkatapos pero tinuloy-tuloy na niya hanggang sa may harap ng entrance ng hotel.

"I am now fine, ibaba mo na ako." I stopped him before he could enter the hotel.

Napatigil siya sa paglalakad pero igting pa rin ang kanyang panga. His lips were in a thin line and he is obviously stopping himself from bursting out.

I felt him breathe in deeply then carefully put me down. I looked at him like I was a lost child. 

"Sorry." With my low voice, I apologize. Kahit na wala naman akong kasalanan? I don't know. He is angry again so I assumed I am at fault again.

Or maybe my parents nagged him? Na bantayan ako? Possible. Because this is actually the first time that we really interact. We've been schoolmates for almost half a year now but we just recently talked.

Maybe he felt that I am his responsibility because of my parents.

"Ummm...you don't need to worry about my parents, kaya ko naman sarili ko." I added more. I can't help but feel guilty.

He shouldn't be doing this just because of my parents request. I am fine on my own and I could take care of myself.

But then...he's been taking care of me since we interact...it is actually the complete opposite. I can't take care of myself and I am not doing fine on my own.

For my exams, he helped me review and indeed my grades were saved. And next, he takes care of me inside the bus at ngayon na naman.

He looked at me mockingly. Like I'm insulting him again or something.

So I was right...napag utusan lang talaga siya.

"Let's go." He dismissed.