Paglabas ko ng bookstore, pinuntahan ko kaagad ang bike ko. I don't wanna talk to Jero. Naiinis ako sa kanya. Naiinis ako na ang bilis niya akong makalimutan kapag nandyan na si Ali. Palagi na lang si Ali.
Magsama sila.
It was growing dark. I deposited the book I bought inside my backpack. Paangkas na sana ako ng bike ko ng lumapit si Jero sa akin.
"Ihatid na kita," he offered.
I looked at him sabay iling, "Huwag na."
"No. I insist. It's getting dark Alex. It's not safe for you to go home alone," he explained.
He has a point. Madilim na talaga. And habang nagtatagal ang conversation namin, mas lalo akong gagabihin.
He irritates me but, although I love my pride, I also value my life.
"Naglakad ka lang ba papunta dito?" I asked him ng makababa na ako ng bike ko.
He nodded and smiled, "Malapit lang naman eh."
We walked in silence for a few minutes. I wasn't really in the mood to talk to him. His only purpose is to scare evil-doers away. Yun lang. I don't have to talk to him.
"Gutom na ako. Ikaw?" he asked, rubbing his stomach.
I shook my head. Pero sa totoo lang, gutom na talaga ako. Pero hindi ko ipapaalam iyon sa kanya.
"Oh. Kumain ka na?" he asked again.
I shook my head.
"Pero busog ka pa?"
I nodded again.
"Sayang. Ililibre pa naman sana kita sa favorite kong place," he said, sabay akbay sa akin. The weight of his arm around my shoulders was comfortable. I shouldn't like it but I do. My heart told me so.
But I need to get hold of myself. I shrugged his arm off my shoulders.
"Stop that!" I snapped.
Just then, I heard someone whistle. I turned and saw a dirty looking guy with tattoos all over his arms looking at me, his eyes full of malice. I shivered and looked straight ahead, trying to ignore the creep. Jero's arms were back around me before I could protest.
"You don't want that happening again, do you?" Jero whispered in my ear, pertaining to the catcalling guy.
I looked at him sharply, "I can take care of myself, Jero. I don't need your help. Thank you very much."
I removed his arm from around my shoulders and ignored him the rest of the way until we arrived at our apartment. Pag dating namin sa gate, I faced him and said, "Thank you walking me home."
"No problem," he replied but he didn't turn to leave. He just stood there, gazing at me. His expression was unreadable.
"Is there something else?" I asked. "Do you want to come in?"
He took a deep breath and asked, "Who was the guy at the bookstore earlier?"
I smiled fondly at the memory.
"He's a dear friend."
And without further words, I entered our apartment, leaving him to ponder those four words by himself.
***
Morning came and I noticed that I sustained a bruise on my forearm from the incident yesterday. It wasn't anything serious but since I have a pale complexion, it was kinda obvious.
I was securing my bicycle when a black SUV passed by. Napakalinis at mukhang bago. I was able to see my reflection through its clean finish.
Huminto ito sa harap ng building namin and the door opened. Lumabas mula rito si Krysta. She headed directly to our room. I was about to enter the room myself when people started to gather around the bulletin board. Curious, I decided to know what was up.
What: Acquaintance Ball
When: 6:00-12:00 pm on Friday, June 10, 2016
Where: School Auditorium
Reminders:
-Wear your best
-No liquors
-No drugs
-No sharp objects
-No outsiders
When I learned about the party, I immediately decided that I'm not going. While my classmates were talking animatedly about the party, I decided to enter our room.
"Okay class. Settle down. I still have an announcement to make," said Sir Alvin after his discussion.
Biglang naging attentive ang mga classmates ko. I looked up from my notes.
"Some of you might be aware already of the even we'll be having this Friday. There will be an acquaintance ball and it will be held in the school auditorium. For more information, kindly see the bulletin board outside," he said. There was buzzing in the entire room.
"And one more thing. Attendance will be checked so you are required to attend," he finished before leaving the room.
Great. Kakadecide ko lang na hindi ako mag-attend. As if to rub my wound with salt, Jero scooted over to my side.
"Alex. May susuotin ka na this Friday?" he asked, leaning toward me. My left brow arched.
"Wala pa," I said in a monotone.
"Ako rin eh. Gusto mo sabay na tayong bumili? When do you want?" he asked again. He looked so eager to spend time with me. For all I know, the reason why he's being friendly is because I'm Ali's sister.
Wala pa akong isusuot para sa ball but I don't wanna buy a dress with Jero.
"Please?" he added. Nalusaw bigla ang katigasan ng puso ko. How can I resist such a word?
"Fine! On Thursday after class. Do you want me to ask Ali along?" tanong ko sa kanya. Inunahan ko na siya.
To my surprise, he said, "No. I want it to be just the two of us this time." He smiled.
I felt a warm, giddy sensation in my stomach after he said that.
'Is he asking me out? 'The thought flashed in my head before I could stop it. And as soon as it popped, I was repulsed at myself. Kadiri ka Alex! He's definitely not asking you out! Get off the dream world! Now!
I took a deep breath.
'What if he is?' my ego asked.
I didn't have an answer for that.
YOU ARE READING
Miss Matchmaker
Teen FictionDESCRIPTION Join Alex in her journey to match-make the man whom she loves with all her heart and the perfect twin sister whom she envies so much. Where will all of her sacrifice lead her? Will it lead, perhaps, to a happy-ever-after? DISCLAIMER: Thi...
