Unintentionally Yours

CHAPTER 6

The ash-colored-eyed predator stares at its prey with its fiery grasp slowly hypnotizing its innocent prey.

I was startled when Sett opened his eyes welcoming me with his smirk and lifted his right eyebrow as he holds my wrist pulling me towards him. His smirk turned into a sedated look barely showing emotions.

The prey was trapped with its predator’s sudden snare completely making its prey perplexed as it slowly falls with its predator’s somehow enthralled capture.

I blink as I feel his gaze became heavy. I have never seen him this serious. His eyes were never been this cold because it always encased with foolishness.

He touches my hand that’s holding my damp handkerchief and positions himself to sit.

“A-are you okay?” I asked.

I suddenly feel suffocated with his alluring stare causing me to look down to avoid his gaze. But then, he refuses to accept my actions as he lifts my face back to look at him.

“Why are you avoiding me?” he said in his husky voice.

“I-I’m not”

He looked at me as his upper lip curled in disdain.

“I’m just confused” I said as I tried to look at the walls but he turned my face back at him as he moved my chin slowly with his fingers facing him.

“Confused with what?”

“With you right now?”

The tables have turned as he avoided my gaze not answering my question. We look like electric fans moving our heads sideways as time goes by.

“Why are you laughing?” he asked.

“I was just thinking about something”

I know that even though he might be strong, he is in his weak state. I don’t want to be immature but somehow, I want to make a little revenge on what he did to me last time. Crushing my feelings, hope, and my whole day that time.

Preys may have been vulnerable when it’s under a predator’s hands but predators wouldn’t just kill their prey for fun or satisfaction… but for its merit their prey offers them.

“What is it?” he said and looked at me.

“That you're probably not bad,” I said as I release a slight smile for him.

“Tch…Bad with what? I’m good in everything” he said smirking as he leans a little closer to me and wiggles his eyebrows up and down.

“I mean b-bad in any way” I said as I try to avoid his gaze.

“A mean, bad, and maybe a disgusting person?” I followed it with a furrowed brow.

I saw his Adam’s apple moved up and down as he once again turns his gaze to the other side of the room and leans back to his headboard.

“Is that how you see me?” he asked not looking at me.

I sat at the side of his bed as I felt my legs tingles from sitting in an uncomfortable position, causing him to look back at me. I lean a little closer as I lifted my hands to dab my handkerchief on his forehead.

“What am I then?” he asked.

For a prey to survive in a dangerous situation it’s in, the prey uses their critical thinking to get away and somehow trick their predators to manipulate them with their innocence and find their way to escape…

I touch his forehead trying to feel if he’s still flaming with his fever. The burning sensation his skin releases earlier somehow calmed down a bit.

“You must be tired. Have you drink a medicine earlier?”

He looked at me with his eyebrows sewn into the middle. He slowly shook his head sideways without breaking our eye contact.

I sighed gently as I turn my gaze to the table where the medicine and a cup of water are on. I tried to reach for it but Sett stopped me as he snatches my hand making me look at him.

“What are you doing?”

“What? Can’t you see? I’m trying to give you your medicine?”

“Answer my question first”

“What? I just answered your question!”

“What am I?”

I put my handkerchief on the table and lean-to him a little closer.

“I am thinking that… you might be more” I said as I brush up his hair with my fingers showing his forehead and bare face.

He looked away avoiding my gaze.

“M-more than what?”

I bit my lips as I restrain myself from smiling. This guy is different when he’s sick. He’s affected which means that I’m doing just fine.

“You should rest. Take this” I said as I pick up the paracetamol and the cup of water.

He takes the tablet and drinks it furiously.

“Now, answer me”

I titter saying “Why so curious?” as I lean even closer to him.

“Forget it” he said as he gently pushes my face away from his and lays straight to his bed.

I smile wildly as I stand back beside his bed.

“Now, we’re tie” I said looking at the guy who covered himself with a blanket.

In a world full of predators, there will always be prey. It is just a matter of tactics on how each side will cope up with unexpected situations they’re in; manipulating one another whatever it takes just to survive and somehow benefit from each other.

“How’s your head?”

Miss Theresa just asked as she came back and sat at her desk looking at me.

“I’m fine, how about you?” I said as I pick up my backpack on top of the table beside my bed.

“Oh, I’m fine. I just have a hard time with my diarrhea”

“Yeah, it looks like you have awful diarrhea to the point your red lipstick smeared all over your face, huh?”

I said as I storm out of the clinic.

Paano ba naman kasi, hindi maayos pagkakabutones ng uniform niya at iyong pagkapula-pulang lipstick niya ay nagkalat sa mukha niya. I don’t know if diarrhea ba talaga ‘yon o iba na eh.

I looked at my phone to check what time is it.

1:30 P. M.

Our class ends at 2 o’clock and Ruth’s still probably at our room. Should I just go home?

Mayroon pa akong kalahating oras para maghintay kay Ruth. Dumiretso nalang ako sa field at naupo sa bleachers.

Kumpara kanina, wala nang tao sa field. Ako nalang at ang isang batang lalaki na nakaupo sa kabilang dulo ng bleachers. Madalas ang paglingon nito sa paligid na para bang mayroong hinihintay.

1:35 P. M.

Tinignan ko ang oras at limang minuto palang ang nag-daan. Napagdesisyonan kong lapitan nalang iyong bata at kausapin ito.

“Hi” bati ko sa kaniya at naupo sa tabi nito.

“Hi…” bati rin nito.

“Wala kang klase?”

“Tapos na po”

“Hmm… Bakit ‘di ka pa umuwi? Hinihintay mo girlfriend mo ano?” pang-aasar ko rito.

“Po? Nako, hindi po” pagtanggi niya kasabay ng unti-unting pamumula ng kaniyang pisngi.

“Eh bakit nga nakatambay ka pa rito? Wala pa ba sundo mo?”

“Eh kayo, bakit po kayo nandito? Cutting po kayo ano?!”

“Aba! Anong cutting? Mukha ba akong nag-cutting na estudyante?!”

Napaismid naman siya at itinutok nalang ang tingin sa field. Aba, attitude itong batang ito, ah?

“May hinihintay lang po ako”

“Sino?”

“May natamaan po kasi ako ng bola kanina noong naglalaro po kami”

“Natamaan ng bola? Mga anong oras?”

“Breaktime po ng senior high school ata ‘yon”

“Ako ‘yon!” agad naman akong napasiga sa sagot niya. Siya pala ang nakabato sa akin ng soccer ball kanina.

Kumunot naman ang noo niya at parang ‘di naniniwala.

“Kayo po?”

“Oo iyong nabato mo ng soccer ball”

“Ahh… gan’on po ba” sabi niya habang tumatango nang dahan-dahan at may kinuha sa bag niya.

Inilabas niya ang isang bulaklak na mukhang pinitas sa hardin ng school. Isa itong pulang gumamela at medyo natutuyo na at lutay-lutay na ang bulaklak.

“Sorry po kanina. ‘di ko po sinasadya” sabi niya habang nagkakamot ng ulo at nag-iwas ng tingin na ikinatawa ko naman ng bahagya.

“Aww. Salamat…” sabi ko at umarte na tuwang-tuwa sa bulaklak na binigay niya.

“Nag-effort ka pa hintayin ako? Para lang mag-sorry?” I said smiling.

“’di naman” he casually says without throwing a look at me.

Ikinawala naman ng ngiti ko ang sagot niya.

“Hinihintay ko rin kasi kuya ko kaya no choice ako na libangin sarili ko sa pamimitas ng bulaklak”

“Kuya ba talaga? Hinihintay mo girlfriend mo eh!” pang-aasar ko ulit dito.

Sinamaan naman ako ng tingin nito at naglakad pababa ng bleachers.

“Saan ka pupunta?!” pasigaw na tanong ko rito.

‘di niya naman ako nilingon at sinigawan lang ako ng “Freak!”.

What?! Kotongan ko ‘yong batang ‘yon eh!

“Shannel!”

Napatingin naman ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses na tumatawag sa akin. Nakita ko naman si Ruth na nasa kabilang dulo ng bleachers na kaninang inupuan ko kaya agad ko naman siyang nilapitan.

“Aga mo naman lumabas?”

“Maaga nag-dismiss si favorite teacher mo”

“Si sir pandak? What? Himala? Bakit daw?” sunod-sunod na tanong ko sa kaniya.

“Guess what?” sabi niya habang nagpipigil ng tawa. ‘di ko mapigilang mapatawa rin kahit hindi ko pa ang dahilan.

“Ano?” natatawang tanong ko sa kaniya.

“May date raw siya” sabi ni Ruth na sinundan niya ng halakhak na siyang ikinatawa ko rin.

Si Sir Pandak? May date? Si sir pandak kasi palagi ako pinagiinitan sa klase niya kaya grabe ko nalang sya tawanan. Sama rin kasi ng ugali no’n eh. Palagi ba naman akong tinatawag during discussion tapos sa akin pinasasagot ‘yong mahihirap na tanong. Sarap tirisin eh.

“Oh ano, kumusta?”

“Okay naman, ‘di na gaanong makirot ang ulo ko”

“I mean, d’on sa clinic?” tanong niya at nagumpisa na kami maglakad.

“Ayun, nand’on si Haunth and inalagaan niya ‘ko!” patili kong sagot.

“Si Haunth? Bakit siya nand’on? At bakit ka naman niya aalagaan?”

“Inutusan raw siya ni Miss Theresa na bantayan muna ako dahil may diarrhea raw siya pero pagbalik niya ang gulo ng itsura niya na akala mo ginahasa”

“What do you mean?”

“Lagpas-lagpas na iyong pagkapula-pulang lipstick niya at ‘di maayos iyong pagkakabutones ng uniform niya” sabi ko at napakunot ang noo.

Napanganga naman si Ruth.

“Oh my gosh, don’t tell me…” sabi niya habang nanlalaking matang nakatingin sa akin.

“Oo, kanina kasi pagkagising ko sa clinic may kausap siya sa telepono tapos ‘di siya mapakali”

“Scandalous” sabi ni Ruth at napatawa nalang.

“Ay teka nga, bakit si Haunth ang nautusan ni Miss Theresa?”

“Huh? Ewan ko. Wala naman sinabi si Haunth. Siguro nakasalubong niya si Haunth ta’s ayon, inutusan siya?”

Napatango-tango nalang si Ruth at nag-usap-usap pa kami sa iba’t ibang bagay hanggang sa makarating kami sa tapat ng gate.

“Ay oo nga pala, bakit ganiyan ‘yong damit mo?”

“Natapunan kasi ako ng tubig kanina kaya pinahiram sakin ni Haunth itong sweater niya” sabi ko at napangiti nang malapad at niyakap-yakap ang sweater na suot ko.

“Malas mo naman ngayon”

“Anong malas? Ang swerte ko nga ngayon dahil nagka-moment kami ni Haunth at nagantihan ko si Sett” tumatawang sabi ko rito. Itinanong niya naman kung anong ginawa ko kay Sett at ikinwento ko ito sa kaniya na ikinailing niya nalang.

Nang makalabas kami ng gate ng school ay dumiretso kami sa gilid ng guardhouse para hintayin si Manong Eduardo.

“Nasaan na kaya iyong panot na ‘yon?” tanong ko sa sarili habang tinatanaw ang bawat sasakyang dadaan ng school.

Agad ko namang itinext si Mang Eduardo.

Manong Eduardo, nasaan na po kayo? Nandito po kami ni Ruth sa tapat ng school.

“Baka naman na-traffic lang” sabi ni Ruth habang kumakain ng ice cream.

“’di ka ba nagsasawa sa ice cream? Kada nalang titignan kita kumakain ka”

“Nagugutom ako eh” sabi niya habang patuloy parin sa pagkain.

Bumili narin ako ng isang ice cream dahil matagal pa naman ata darating si Manong Panot.

“Ano sa ‘yo, Ineng?” tanong sa akin ng mamang sorbetero.

“Isa pong cookies and cream” sabi ko at ibinigay ang bayad sa kaniya. Binigay niya ang ice cream sa akin at naglako na ulit palayo sa amin.

“Shannel”

“Bakit?” tanong ko naman kay Ruth na nakatingin sa kabilang kalsada.

“’di ba iyon ‘yong kumausap sayo n’ong nakaraan?” turo ni Ruth sa mga tao sa kabilang kalsada na naghahanda para tumawid.

“Huh? Sino sa kanila?” tanong ko sa kaniya at pilit tinitignan kung sino ba iyong tinuturo niya.

Napakarami kasing tao at wala naman akong mamukhaan sa kanila.

“Ay hindi ata” sabi ni Ruth at bumalik sa pagkain ng ice cream.

Ito si Ruth nasosobrahan na ata sa ice cream ‘to at nagyelo na ang utak.

“Ruth!”

Napadako naman ang atensyon namin ni Ruth sa lalaking nagbibisikleta papunta sa direksyon namin.

Dahan-dahan itong bumaba sa bisikleta niya at diretsong kinuha ang backpack ni Ruth.

“Hi, Tate!” bati nito sakin nang nakangiti. Mas matangkad siya kay Ruth, may pagkasingkit at pagkamoreno.

“Hi, Brayden” bati ko rin dito.

“Teka, wala pa sundo ni Shannel” sabi ni Ruth sa kapatid niyang si Brayden. Mas batang kapatid niya ito pero sinusundo siya minsan ni Brayden pauwi sa kanila para hindi na maglakad si Ruth.

“Okay lang, na-text ko naman na si Manong Eduardo. Pasunod narin ata ‘yon” sabi ko kay Ruth.

“Sure ka, Ate Shan?” tanong ni Brayden sa akin. Nginitian ko siya at tinanguan.

Ayaw pa sana umuwi ni Ruth pero pinilit ko siya na okay lang ako at sigurado namang ‘di matatagalan si Manong Eduardo at pumayag na rin.

“Ineng”

Napalingon ako sa isang matandang lalaki na tumawag sakin wala pa mang sampung minuto mula nang makaalis sila Ruth.

“Remember me?” tanong nito at ngumiti nang dahan-dahang kasabay nang kaniyang pagpamewang.

It was the same old man who called me last time I went to mall with Ruth who asked if I was brokenhearted. I didn’t notice it last time, but this guy is giving me a creepy vibe; that’s probably why Ruth doesn’t want me to talk to him that time…