The Mysterious Hooded Man

New Friends

Chapter 2

Night...

It's only 6pm, and I can't believe I am already having my dinner.

"Lola, ang aga naman nating kumain ng dinner."

"Apo, pasensiya ka na at nasanay na kami na ganito ng iyong lolo. Mga alas-syete kasi ay nakakatulog na rin kami," paliwanag ni Lola.

I just smiled and continued eating.

After our dinner I told them I'll wash the dishes, and they let me do it. They went straight to their room.

After I finished all the cleaning, I went to my room and cleaned myself.

Then I was in bed trying to use my phone, but it's nonsense because there was no signal at all.

So, I decided to open my window and I tried to get some signal.

"Oh! Thanks, God!"

I was just using my phone data because my grandparents don't have the internet.

I was laughing at one of the videos I watched when I felt like someone's staring at me.

I looked straight to Sonia's house. And to my surprise there's a person standing on the dark side of the light pole and tall grass. I can't see that person clearly, but I know that person is looking at me.

Goosebumps!

When I'm about to close my window, I saw him walk a bit in the silhouette and stood straight looking my way. Then he walked on the other side of the street.

Nakita ko ang kanyang paglakad palayo. Hindi ako maaaring magkamali. It's a guy! Is he the hooded man that I saw on the checkpoint?

I closed the window and about to lock it when I noticed that lock is not working at all.

I walked to my bed and drank my glass of water. My heart beats so loud that I can almost hear it. I was just looking out my window when I felt my eyes getting heavier. It seems like I can't control it anymore. Then I fell asleep.

But before I totally shut my eyes, I felt like someone’s inside my room and standing by my window.

School...

This is my first day in School.

Lolo drove me to school and Sonia hopped in. When we got there, nothing was special. Simple and quiet. It's one-hour drive from our house.

Pagkababa pa lamang namin ay hinila na ako papasok ng gate ni Sonia, I looked at Lolo and he just smiled and give me a gesture to go on.

"Ipakikilala kita sa mga kaibigan ko." She's excited. She grasps my right hand.

"There!" May tinuro itong dalawang tao na nakaupo sa damuhan.

"Hi guys, this is Catalina, and Catalina this is Karen and Bernard. "

"Hi," I greeted them. Naupo na rin ako sa damuhan.

They smiled back.

"Mayroon pang-isa, ngunit wala pa siya." Nagpalinga-linga ito na para bang may hinahanap.

"Sa tingin mo talaga ay kaibigan ang turing sa'tin ng lalaking 'yon?" I looked at him. What's his name again? Oh! Bernard.

"Kahit hindi. Kailangan ko pa rin siyang pakisamahan dahil soon to be step-brother ko siya."

"Step-brother?" I asked her.

"Yes. Sorry hindi ko pala nabanggit sayo na 'yong mother ko mag-aasawa ng bago at may anak ito," paliwanag ni Sonia.

I just nodded.

"Is it like the one I watched? F*ck me step brother, ah, yeah like that!" he said it almost like he was moaning. Then he laughed.

I laughed too.

"You know that p*rn site?" he asked me again.

"Who doesn't?" And I raised my eyebrow then looked at the two girls who giggled. Of Course, they also know these kinds of sites.

We all laugh together.

"There you go." I saw Sonia got up. Sinalubong nito ang isang lalaki na papalapit na rin naman sa aming pwesto.

"Catalina, this is my soon to be step brother Timothy."

I looked at him. He's still standing. Tumango lamang ito at umupo na rin sa damuhan. At binuksan ang pahina ng libro.

"How's your exam last week?" he asked Sonia.

His voice. Familiar. His face is also familiar.

Have we met before?

"All good. I passed,” Sonia answered him.

He just nodded and continued reading.

He has curly hair, it fits him.

"What are you looking at?" I know he is asking me.

I opened my mouth to say something, but I was mesmerized when he looked at me. His eyes look dangerous. His eyes and eyebrows are almost going to touch. Green eyes! He has narrow and pointed nose. I looked to his lips. Reddish lips. Can't help it, I bit my lower lips.

"I'm just messing with you." Then he smiled and was still looking at me.

Everyone laughs besides Bernard.

"You got her," Karen said.

He looked at his book again.

"What are you reading?" Karen asked him.

" 'You' by Caroline Kepnes," he answered her, but his eyes are still on the book.

I lifted my head just enough to see what he was reading.

"I love that book," I said.

He raised his head and looked at me. He frowned.

"For real?" He can't believe it.

"Me too," Bernard spoke even though he was not asked.

So, I look at Bernard.

"You do?” I asked Bernard.

"Yes. Obsessed siya sa isang babae, at pinapatay niya ang nakaka conflict nito at humaharang sa pagmamahalan nila."

"What? That's sick," Sonia rebutted.

I was just looking at Bernard while he was talking, and he was also looking at me. I feel like he is flirting with me. He is a good-looking guy, straight hair, also has a green eyes, pouted lips and shaved beard.

But Timothy is way better. I don’t know, but I like neat looking guys.

"I mean, if mga ganito naman kaganda ang iyong mamahalin, 'di ba? Talaga namang papatay ka." Bernard poked my nose.

I can’t help but to look back at Timothy because I felt like he was staring at me. Well, I’m not wrong. But he is staring with no emotions at all!

Kaya muli ko na lamang binalik ang tingin kay Bernard.

"You'll do it, for me?"

Inilapit pa ni Bernard nang kaunti ang mukha sa akin.

"Definitely!”

I smiled at him.

"You, psycho!” I said and we laugh together.

Timothy stood and walked far from us.

I heard Bernard smirked. I looked at Sonia, and she was staring at Bernard and I could see some sadness in her eyes. Is it possible that she likes Bernard? Well, I’m not here to make conflicts, but to be honest. I like Bernard's mood. I feel at home. Not only that, but I can see him like my friend way back in the City.

Night...

MY FIRST DAY was not bad at all. I actually enjoyed it. I made new friends.

After dinner, I went straight to my room and checked my assignments given by our teacher. When I finished it, I quickly cleaned myself.

I just got off from shower when I feel cold.

I looked to my window and it's open. Did I forget to close it? Hmmp. I went there, and I was about to close it when I saw Timothy leaving Sonia's house. He looked at me. I smiled but he didn't. He just walked fast like he didn't know me. That’s odd. Moody guy.

Nang maisara ko na ang bintana ay agad ko ring pinatay ang aking ilaw, malapit lamang sa aking kuwarto ang poste ng ilaw sa labas, malamlam ito kaya naman tamang-tama lang. Then I went to my bed.

I always drink water before I go to sleep. Naka lakihan ko na ang ganitong gawi. I always have a glass and pitcher of water in my room.

Then just a minute I felt sleepy, but before I shut my eyes it's weird ngunit mayroon na namang tao na nakatayo sa aking paanan. He is just looking at me then I fell asleep.