My Student, My Lover

Chapter 3

"Are you okay?" Napalingon agad ako ni Shanti. "Ba't parang nakakita ka ng multo?!" Dugtong niya at nilibot ang tingin sa paligid. "Wala naman ah." Tumawa siya.

Napalunok ako. "Wa... Wala naman talaga." Kabado kong sagot at pilit na ngumiti.

Shutang ina anong ginagawa niya dito? Pati ba naman sa club magkikita kami?! The world's really kind of small huh?

When I looked back, Kugimiya was leaning on the couch along with his group of friends. He was busy talking to the guy beside him. He didn't see me yet. Magkasunod lang ang table namin. So iyon pala? Yun pala ang importanteng lakad na sinasabi niya. Napailing-iling ako habang nakatingin sa kanya. Wala na talagang ginawang matino.

"Do you know them?"

Halos mapatalon ako sa gulat nang bumulong si Shanti sa tenga ko. Napahawak agad ako sa dibdib at nagpakawala ng malalim na hininga para ikalma ang sarili.

"Sorry I didn't mean to startle you." He added, now laughing.

I shook my head. "No it's okay." I answered ignoring his first question.

"Shot?" He asked offering the shot glass he was holding.

I was supposed to refuse it, but Kugimiya's presence was totally distracting me. I needed something to ease the tense I was feeling so I drank it.

"Slowly Anny!" Hazel, who was still beside me, tapped my shoulder. My vision was not spinning yet. I just felt a little dizzy but still manageable.

"Ngayon lang." Sabi ko naman at kinindatan siya. It was my freaking first time.

Thinking of him again being here around, gave me a slight feeling of torture. I bit my lower lip to stop myself from getting so anxious. Did he see me? Would he tell the dean that I was here partying? I shook my head. Impossible. I was not doing anything illegal and obviously it was past duty hours. Shit! Many things were clouding up my mind. Hindi ko na nga alam kung ano ang pinaguusapan ng mga kasamahan ko.

I pursed my lips before taking a glance at him. I just wanted to make sure If I was not imagining things.

I sat frozen when I realized he was already staring at me. I swallowed a lump when our eyes met. He licked his lower lip before looking away, trying to hide his smirk. Agad rin akong umiwas ng tingin. Shutang ina siya nga! Of all the clubs na pwede niyang puntahan, sa venus pa talaga? Galing!

Natiligan lang ako sa pagiisip nang maramdaman ang isang braso ni Shanti sa likod ko. Ramdam ko ang init na galing sa katawan niya dahil sa sobrang lapit namin. Actually, he was making me uncomfortable. Umusog ako ng kaunti para mabigyan ng space sa pagitan namin. Hindi ko alam kung napansin niya ba iyon. Patuloy lang siyang sumasali sa usapan ng blockmates namin.

Nagugulohan na ako, dumagdag pa ang malakas na music sa loob. Parang gusto ko na talagang umuwi sa apartment.

"Oy Yanney may boyfriend ka na ba?" Napaangat ako ng tingin kay Grace, isa rin sa mga blockmates ko noong college. Medyo pasigaw niya itong itinanong para marinig ko. Malakas nga kasi ang music.

"Busy pa ako e." Pagdahilan ko.

She made a funny face. "Asus, yan rin naman ang sinabi mo sa akin noong college pa tayo. Kailan pa ba matatapos yang pagiging busy mo?" Nagtawanan tuloy silang lahat at pati na rin ako.