Sunlight Deception (Isla Series #1)

07

"Hey, you."

"Shit!" I was shocked when someone kissed my cheek from behind while I was busy reading my book about Business Law. Muntik ko nang masapak ah!

"Oh, chill," Jericho said, laughing with both of his hands up in the air. "It's just me," dagdag niya at umupo sa tabi ko.

It's been four days since that night in Espanyol. Lagi na siyang pumupunta dito sa café mag-isa. I tried my best to not feel awkward anymore, and I feel like I'm doing a great job at that.

Makapal lang ang mukha ko noong gabi na iyon dahil nakainom ako. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung magpapasalamat ako sa alak o maiinis.

"What are you doing here again?" Lagi ko siyang tinatanong nito.

"Nothing," he replied. That was his response for the past four days.

We weren't doing anything. Mag-uusap lang kami, kakain at tatambay sa may dagat kapag natapos akong mag-aral. But now, I feel more comfortable with his presence.

Pinabayaan ko na lang siya. I looked back at my book and started reading.

"Oh? Business law?" Echo asked, looking at my book.

"Yeah."

"What's your major again?" he asked again, his voice laced with curiosity. I shifted my gaze from the book to him.

"Business Economics," sagot ko. "You?" I asked, getting curious too.

He told me that he wanted to take BPTC after he graduate, so I was curious what was his course now. Business kaya? Possible. May kompanya kasi sila. Hindi ko lang alam kung siya ba ang magma-manage no'n or si Kuya Arthur, his older brother.

"Business Management," he said. I nodded. "We had Business Law when I was in third year. So...."

"Oh, yeah. Of course," I replied with a shrug and looked back at my book.

I can't focus, though.

"La Salle ka, 'di ba?" tanong niya.

I nodded without looking at him. "Yup, third year." I wasn't sure if what school siya. "You? Enderun ka, right?" 

"Yeah. Graduating na!" he said excitedly. "UP dapat ako kasi inaya ako ni Maki para raw magkasama kami. Papayag na sana ako, naka-enroll na, actually, pero sa huli na-realize namin na iba kami ng course kaya hindi pala kami magkasama kaya nag-Enderun ako."

"Yup, definitely sounds like something the both of you would do. You never check first. Game lang nang game," I agreed, shaking my head. "Bakit ba hindi kayo mapaghiwalay?"

"Ewan. Masyado akong mahal ng mokong na iyon, eh. Puro 'Jericho, sasamahan mo 'ko bukas.' 'Bro, nilutuan kita pagkain.' 'Binilhan na kita ng ganito ganiyan.' And many more! Baka nafa-fall na sa akin iyon!" He laughed hysterically.

"He's such a cutie." Hindi ko rin napigilan matawa.

"Maalaga. Hindi nga lang minamahal," he stated. I laughed louder and pinched him before scolding him. "Oo na, hindi na! Araynaman!" Hinimas niya ang braso niya.

"Be kind to Maki," sabi ko.

"Mabait naman ako sa kaniya!" depensa niya bago nginuso ang libro ko. "I can help you if you want."

Nginitian ko naman siya. "No, it's fine. I'm just reading to past time," I said and shrugged after that.

"I know a fun way to pass time." He wiggled his brows. Naramdaman ko naman na namula ako sa sinabi niya.