Beyond the Afterglow | Odyssey of Hearts Series #1

CHAPTER 6

Unexpected Turns

Anong espiritu ba ang sumanib dito at biglang nagbago ang pakikitungo niya sa akin? Where's that jerk from before?

"Bakit ka pala narito?" I asked, changing the topic. To me, it seems like he's not into concerts, even though he was in the field earlier, he looked bored.

"A friend invited me."

E, bakit mag isa lang siya? "You have a friend here?" 

"No, he's from another campus and insisted on us coming here with him. I got separated from them during the concert," he explained.

"That guy from last time?" I referred to the flirtatious guy he was with at the mall.

He nodded. "And another one."

Ah...so marami rin pala siyang kaibigan.

"Then...are we friends now?" He suddenly asked.

Kaibigan niya ang pinag uusapan namin, bakit napunta sa akin?!

"Huh? Ikaw nga 'tong nagsabi noon na strangers lang tayo." I raised a brow. Friends daw, eh siya mismo nagsabi noong nasa mall kami that we're nothing but mere strangers. Tsk!

"That was before...when I assumed you were just like every other woman trying to get close to me." He smiled, faintly.

I paused, taken aback by what he said. "And what made you change your mind?"

He shrugged. "I guess I misjudged you. You're not like the others."

At ano naman ang ikinaiba ko sa kanila? Ang daming problema siguro nito sa mga babae.

Pinagkrus ko ang aking balikat. Since he already apologized, maybe...I could consider being friends with him.

"Hmm...okay, Sige!"

I saw his faint smile. "Eleanor, right?" Tanong niya.

I thought he didn't remember my name? Kunyari pa siyang walang pakialam noon sa library pero inalala naman. "Yes, Killian." I replied and heard him chuckle. "My friends call me Elle, though."

"Okay, Elle." Sagot nito.

Hearing him uniquely pronounce my name sent a rush of warmth through me, I couldn't help but feel it on my cheeks.

I stood up trying to hide my face. "U-uhm...Una na ako! I'll go to my friends!"

Agad akong naglakad palayo habang hawak ang dalawa kong pisngi. Hindi ko alam kung may sinabi pa siya o pinagmasdan niya lang ako. Basta naisip ko na lang na umalis!

But...What was that feeling!? Maraming kaibigan ko naman na ang tumatawag sa akin no'n. Pero bakit... iba kapag siya?

"Hey, Madi!" Rinig kong pagtawag ni Kia. I unconsciously walked past her.

"Girl, bakit ka namumula?" She looked at me with concerned eyes. "Okay ka lang ba," inalis niya ang kamay ko at nilapat ang kanyang palad sa aking noo.

Natigilan ako sa paglalakad at tumingin sa kanya "Huh...ah! I'm okay! I'm fine!" I removed her hand.

"Sure ka?" Paninigurado niya.

"Oo, ayos lang ako. Mainit lang." I answered, trying to regain my composure. "Nasaan ka ba? Kanina pa kita hinahanap."

"I ended up stuck on the far side of the crowd." Buntong hininga ito. "Since the concert's almost over, I figured I'd go out onto the field."

I looked at my phone and it was already 10 pm. Hindi ko rin napansin na nag reply si Kia sa message ko.

"So, where's the handsome guy you're talking about? Nasaan?" I could see a glint of curiosity in her eyes.