Professor, We Adore You [BXB]

C H A P T E R 10

   Napahinga ako nang malalim at sinimulang pagtampalin ang magkabila kong pisngi. 'Vivi naman! Shunga-shunga ka talaga! Akala ko ba bff kayo ng mga estudyante mo?! Ba't ka umalis?!' tahimik na sigaw ko sa utak kong medyo eng-eng ngayon kung magkapag-isip.

   Ipagpapatuloy ko pa sana ang pagtampal sa sarili ko kung hindi ko lang napansing marami ng nakatingin sa akin ngayon na estudyante. They are staring at me with awed faces that made me awkwardly smile at them. I secretly analyzed my position and realized I was toddling myself outside our deparment where an enormous atrium is present and where there are many college students passing by. The only difference is, the ones in close proximity all halted on their feet and kept their eyes at me when they saw how I was busy strangling myself like a complete fool.

   "Hahaha.... hahaha..." pilit kong tawa at malawak na nginitian sila. For some odd reason, their faces turned red. Shouldn't I be the one turning red? Because this situation is too embarrassing for me to handle, oh God! Well, whatever! I awkwardly waved my hand and gave another awkward smile only to be accompanied with an awkward laugh and an awkwardly awful reasoning.

   "Hello. Wassup? Nage-exercise lang ako."

   "That's an odd exercise. Perhaps you could teach me sometimes?"

   Napatingin ako sa likod nang makarinig ng pamilyar na boses. Buong-buo ang kanyang tono, hindi puwedeng hindi ko makikilala kung kanino 'to. Lahat ng estudyanteng nakatingin sa akin ay agad na napaiwas ng mata at dali-daling naglakad papalayo. I wish I could do that as well and just run my ass off here for I also don't want to partake in any involvement with this guy, but sadly, the man who spoke and is now right in front of me, is expert at knowing how to corner me.

   "Leebow. Hello." mainam kong bati at nagbigay ng maliit na ngiti kahit hindi ako komportable sa presensya niya. Lumayo ako at pasalamat nalang talaga at hindi siya umabante kagaya ng huli naming pagkikita na kung saan idiin niya na halos ang pagmumukha naming dalawa—

   Huli naming pagkikita?

   Something suddenly struck me. That's it!

   When I was hit by a ball by Travis, he was there, right? Leebow was with me!

   "Basing by how your pretty little face lifted up upon seeing me, is it safe to assume that I piqued your interest, professor?" tanong nito at nagbalik ng malawak na ngiti. He's shining so brightly that you won't even notice any trace of malice behind that wide curve on his lips. I don't know if it's a relief to know better.

   "I just suddenly remembered something," mabagal na bigkas ko habang hindi inaalis ang tingin sa kanya, at ganun rin siya. Napatikhim ako at inayos ang postura. "S-say, can I ask you a question regarding what happened yesterday? If I'm correct, you were there when I was hit by something, right?" tanong ko habang palihim na kinakabahan sa maaring isagot niya.

   Leebow's stare at me deepened as his smile suddenly loosened for how it immediately lose its playful grin. I'm not sure if I'll be happy seeing that smirk vanished off from his lips, or I'll be more concerned for myself because it's way worse when he flips his card, and I no longer have any idea of what his agenda might be.

   "Oh, that? You were hit." he simply answered. Eh? I mentally rolled my eyes.

   Sige, kunware 'di ko alam.