Camp Alaya Series #1: Eyes Locked, Hands Locked (Completed)

Chapter 11

#ELHL11 || Esteen Samantha Vinzon

I was peacefully walking towards the shop when an arm harshly wrapped around my neck.

I glared at the man beside me and sneered. "Hindi masakit, Mark."

"Sabay tayo dumating, Samm." He enthusiastically uttered while I am trying to remove his arm on me.

I rolled my eyes, "Kailangan manakal?"

I turned myself repeatedly to slink off from him.

"Bakit absent ka kahapon?"

"Bakit? Namiss mo ko?" I joke.

His face crumbled in disgust as he slap my small arm.

"Mandiri ka, Samm. Hindi tayo talo." He grimaced. "E bakit ka nga absent kahapon? Sumama ba ulit ang pakiramdam mo?"

Pumasok muna ako sa staff room at nagpalit ng uniform namin. Paglabas ko ay nandoon parin si Mark at inaantay ako.

"Oo, sumama ang pakiramdam ko." I lied.

Tumango siya at ngumisi, "Sige. Hindi ko ipagkakalat na nag-date kayo ni Argon."

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa narinig at kaagad siyang nilingon. "Hindi ah," I defended.

"Sus, h'wag mo na itanggi. Nakita ko kayong papuntang lawa kahapon. Liar."

"H'wag kang maingay." I whispered while tryung to cover his mouth.

I was unconsciously walking on my way home after my shift ended. Maraming nanggugulo sa utak ko katulad noong mga nakaraang araw. I am still thibking about those dreams amd voices. Hindi ako tanga, may hinuha na ako sa mga nangyayari sa akin pero hindi ko alam kung paano ko kukumpirmahin.

Halos mapatalon ako sa gulat nang may biglaang humawak sa braso ko. "Where are you going?"

"Uuwi?" I hesistantly answered.

Nakita ko pa ang paglabas ni Mark sa shop at ang pagbigay niya ng isang ngiti. Tinanguan ko iyon bago tuluyang nilingon si Argon na nakatingin na rin ngayon kay Mark. Kumaway si Mark bago tuluyang umalis.

"Tara na," nakangiti kong sabi. Umaliwas ang mukha niya nang makita ang ngiti ko.

Silence surrounded us inside his car-I am weighing his mood. Hindi ko alam kung ayos lang ba siya dahil kanina pa siya nananahimik. Maybe he's tired.

"H'wag ka ngang sumimangot baka pumangit ka." I uttered after a long silence.

"You won't like me if I'm ugly?" He drawls while carefully maneuvering his car.

My face crumbled at his statement. "I am not like that"

"Biro lang, nandito na tayo. Nag-eenjoy ka masyadong titigan ako."

"Kapal." I whispered with a frown. I swiftly removebmy seatbelt and get out from his car before he can even open the door for me.

He loured at me. "Sumimangot ka nalang habang buhay." I snorted.

He forcely curled his lips up to smile. Mas lalong nalukot ang mukha ko.

"Uwi na," I hissed and turned my back.

Mabigat ang bawat hakbang na ginawa ko papasok ng bahay. I don't know what's his problem but I think he just didn't have a good morning.

Napahinto ako nang makita ang isang dyaryo na naiwan sa maliit na lamesa sa sala, iyong madalas na binabasa nila Nanay. Lumapit ako doon at plano sanang basahin ng may kamay na kaagaf kumuha na noon mula sa akin.

I gasped in shock.

"Kumain ka na roon," seryosong sabi ni Tatay. Ilang segundo pa akong natigilan bago tuluyang sinunod ang sinabi niya.

Wala ako sa sarili habang kumakain ng almusal. Lumilipad ang isip ko kahit wala namang mapupunta. Questions filled my mind and I don't know how I can get the answer.

Bakit ba ang weird ng mga kilos nila? Pati ba naman dyaryo bawal sa akin? Hindi rin nila ako pinapayagan manood ng balita sa TV. Ano bang mayroon?

"Good morning," Argon greeted after seeing me. Kahit papano ay gumaan ang pakiramdam ko at nawala ang iniisip ng makita siya.

Nakangiti na siya ngayon at tila walang nangyaring hindi maganda sa kanya kahapon.

"Magandang umaga," bati ko pabalik. Niyaya ko siyang kumain na kaagad naman niyang pinaunlakan.

"I bought some cupcakes, you can share it to your friends." Ani Argon habang nasa sasakyan niya kami papuntang eskwelahan.

I smiled widely at him and lowered my head to look at my fingers who's now playing with the bracelet he gave me.

I can see how his lips stretch into a smile using my peripheral vision.

"Why are you smiling?" I curiously asked.

Laling lumaki ang ngiti niya sa narinig, "Because you are smiling."

Napayuko ako para maitago ang pamumula ng mukha. I fake a frown and rolled my eyes.

"Nagyayaya si Mommy ng dinner mamaya. Are you free?"

Nawala ang ngiti ko at napuno ng hiya at panghihinayang ang mukha, "May trabaho ako, Argon. Pwede bang sa Biyernes nalang?"

"Oh, I forgot. I'll tell mom, don't worry." He assured me.

Pagbaba ng sasakyan niya ay naabutan kong papasok na ang mga kaibigan sa loob ng eskwelahan.

i run towards them and drag them infront of Argon's car.

They both greeted him with a smile. Argon pouted to hide his smile and wink at me. My forehead crease as I felt my cheeks burning.

He turned his back on us to get something on the back seat of his car.

Bethyl gleefully clap her hands after seeing the cupcake Argon is holding. He gave us one box each.

Nakangiti ko siyang hinarap. "Salamat."

"You're always welcome, baby."

Two spots of crimson made its way on my cheeks. I immediately averted my eyes from him and pouted.

"I'll get going. Babalik ako mamayang lunch niyo. May gusto ba kayong ipalutong ulam?"

"Ikaw na ang bahala." I answered. Tumango siya, hindi tinatanggal ang tingin sa akin.

"Ingat ka," sabi ko bago tumalikod.

"I will, for you."

I heard my friends squeled after Argon turned his back on us. Marahan kong iniling ang ulo habang mahinang tumatawa at sa iisang direksyon lang nakatingin.

"Ang harot, sana lahat talaga." Bethyl dreamily said.

"May Pedro ka naman, kunwari ka pa." Blanche retorted.

I chuckled and nodded my head.

"Marupok ka roon, hindi ba? Mamaya nandoon iyon sa labas ng room, hinihintay ka." I teased.

"Kikiligin na naman iyan," Blanche added.

"Tigilan niyo nga ako, palibhasa ito si Blanche itinatago sa atin ang lalaki niya."

Blanche's eyes widened as she looks at us incredulously. "Wala akong tinatago!"

"Oh! The man who offered her work?" I joined in.

Nang-aasar na itinaas baba ni Bethyl ang kilay at humalkhak.

"Hey, Samm. I forgot something!" I halted after hearing his voice.

I slowly turned to face him and raise both of my brows.

"What?"

I gasped when he planted a quick but soft peck of kiss on my cheeks before running away from us. I stilled on my place with my burning red cheeks.