My AI Romance

Episode 7

Worried

I was 10 minutes late during our first period. Thank God, our subject teacher was not yet here. I immediately went to my respective seat. I am very sleepy to do my narrative report that's why I'm doing it now.

Tipikal na gawain ng isang estudyante.

I was busy composing words to write nang makarinig ako ng ingay. I look at the direction to where the noise is coming. Nikkolas was there at dinudumog ng mga kaklase kong babae.

Bumalik naman sa isipin ko lahat ng ginawa n'ya kahapon. Nababaliw na siguro ako dahil ramdam ko pa rin hanggang ngayon na nakayakap s'ya sa akin.

I really like his scent.

"Do you already have your partner?"

"Can you choose me, Nikkolas?"

"Do you have any qualifications in choosing your partner? I'm sure I'm over qualified."

Napailing na lang ako sa inasta ng mga kaklase ko. Nang magtama ang paningin namin ni Nikkolas ay kaagad akong nag iwas ng tingin. Actually, next month pa iyong Anniversary ng Central Arcadia. Ngayong taon kasi ay kumalat ang balita para sa mas engrandeng selebrasyon.

Our subject teacher didn't arrive. It's a good thing because I was able to do my unfinished written works.

Nagliligpit na ako ng mga gamit ko ng biglang lumapit sa akin si Nikkolas.

He's looking at me while I'm fixing my things. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang mailang.

"Do you already have your partner?" I asked all of a sudden.

Sa dinami dami ng tanong na pwede kong itanong, bakit nga ba iyon ang lumabas sa bibig ko?

"I won't come," he replied.

Napakunot naman ang noo ko. Many students are expecting for his presence. Ano naman kayang dahilan kung bakit hindi s'ya pupunta?

"What's the reason?"

"I don't want to be paired with anyone. If you'll let me to be your partner then I'll probably change my decision," he seriously said. My whole system went crazy again.

"I w-won't come too." I replied before

avoiding his gaze. Sa takot na makita na ganito ako kaapektado sa presensya n'ya, nagdesisyon ako na lumabas na lang ng room.

Mabuti na lang at hindi na niya ako sinundan pa.

Vacant din kami ng isa pang subject that's why I went to the cafeteria. Ramdam ko kasing maya maya ay tutunog na naman ang tyan ko. I wasn't able to eat my breakfast earlier because I woke up too late.

After ordering my food, I roamed my eyes to find a comfortable spot.

Nang makahanap ako ay kaagad akong nagpunta doon. I was about to eat when someone placed a tray on his table.

Nang mag angat ako ng tingin, nakita kong si Nikkolas 'yon. Naglugay tuloy ako ng buhok at ikinalat sa mukha ko dahil baka kung anong isipin ng ibang mga estudyante kapag nakita kaming magkasama dito. Mabuti na lang at class hours pa ngayon kaya wala pa masyadong tao.

"What are you doing with your hair?" he asked. Wala na akong pakealam kung magmukha man akong sadako ngayon. I just want to hide my face.

That's all.

"There are many vacant tables here. Why did you choose to eat with me?"

Hindi ko magawang makakain nang maayos knowing the fact na nakatingin siya sa akin.

"Why? Is there something wrong?" he asked again.

Nag isip ako ng iba pang rason kung paano n'ya ako titigilan. I want to gain friends now pero paano ko magagawa 'yon kung lahat ay magagalit sa akin dahil kasama ko s'ya.

"M-My boyfriend will get jealous," I replied, hoping that be will believe in what I've said.

"Boyfriend? Stop imagining things. You don't have that," he said straight to the point. Kaagad ko naman s'yang sinamaan ng tingin dahil sa sinabi n'ya.

"You don't know about it because I keep it as a secret," sagot ko pa pero mukhang hindi pa rin siya kumbinsido.

I just decided to eat my breakfast. Mabuti naman at maging s'ya ay natahimik din.

After a few moments, umalis na s'ya sa harap ko. Buong akala ko ay tuluyan na akong makakahinga nang maluwag nang maramdaman ko s'ya sa likod ko. The next thing I knew, he was now touching my hair.

"A-Anong ginagawa mo?" I almost panic because of what he did.

"Stay still," aniya bago inalis ang mga nagkalat kong buhok na halos tumaklob na sa mukha ko.

Naramdaman kong pinusod n'ya 'yon gamit ang handkerchief n'ya. Hindi naman ako nakagalaw dahil sa nangyari.

Hindi man maayos ang pagkakapusod n'ya pero parang ayoko na itong tanggalin pa kahit hanggang bukas.

Bumalik s'ya sa pwesto n'ya kanina bago tumitig sa akin.

"You look prettier in ponytail," komento n'ya dahilan para mag init ang pisngi ko. The ambiance between the two of us became too awkward not until someone shouted.

"Hershey!" It was Eleonora's voice that I heard kaya't napalingon ako dito. Mabilis s'yang lumapit sa akin bago ako hinalikan sa pisngi.

"Oh! Nikkolas Parker is here. What are you two doing together?" she asked. Napatingin naman ako kay Nikkolas at kaagad na nag isip ng dahilan sa pwedeng isagot.

"Eating," he coldly answered. He's back on his usual way again. Parang kanina lang ay nakakausap ko pa ito ng maayos.

"W-Were just talking about the project that we will do later," I answered. I sigh in relief ng makita kong nakumbinse ito. Mabuti na lang at nalusutan ko 'yon.

"Oh, I see. Can I join you later guys? I have nothing else to do."

"No," nagulat ako sa mabilis na sagot ni Nikkolas. I just wish na maubusan ng battery ang lalaking ito para manahimik na s'ya ngayon.

To be honest, we don't have any plans yet in making that project. We're actually three members in the group. Balak ko sanang magkanya kanya na kami ng gawa since malayo pa naman ang deadline. Hindi din pala magandang rason iyong naisip ko.

"S-Sure. You can join us later," I answered bago ko pinanlakihan ng mata si Nikkolas.

Eleonora ordered her food that's why I have the chance to talk to this naughty robot.

"Eleonora is my friend. I want you to be nice to her," I exclaimed, hoping that he will follow what I've said.

Natigil kami sa pag uusap ni Nikkolas nang matanaw ko 'yong kaibigan ko. Malawak ang ngiti nitong tumingin sa amin.

"Hmm, seems like you too are very close with each other," puna n'ya.

"Actually we're not. We're just talking mainly because of school works," sagot ko.

Nanatiling tahimik naman si Nikkolas. Mas mabuti na rin iyon dahil alam ko wala s'yang magandang masasabi.

He remained silent the whole time Eleonora and I are talking. Hindi din naman kami nagtagal sa pag uusap dahil sa susunod pa naming klase.

"I'll see you guys later," she waved her hand at us. Tinanawan ko 'sya hanggang sa mawala ito sa paningin ko. I thought that Nikkolas already left but he's still beside me now.

Maya maya pa ay nagulat ako ng hawakan n'ya yung kamay ko.

"You're still scared that someone might take advantange on you. You shouldn't trust her," he said before letting go of my hand. Pumauna na itong maglakad sa akin. Napakunot naman ang noo ko dahil sa sinabi n'ya.

Ano bang problema n'ya? Bakit ayaw na ayaw n'ya kay Eleonora?

After our classes for this day, I decided to went at the National Bookstore first to buy a notebook. After that, I forwarded my address to Eleonora. She told me that she will proceed in our house right away after their meeting in Social Hall.

When I arrived in our house, Nikkolas was already there leaning on the walls of our gate. There is something different from him now. Malamlam kasi ang mga mata nito. I can't say the exact word to describe him now.

"Should we make our projects then?" I nodded as an answer to his question. I checked my phone to see Xian's message. He told me that he had a tryout that's why he can't come now. Pagkapasok ko sa loob, alam kong nakasunod s'ya sa akin. He's very silent until now.

I was about to face and ask him ng biglang bumagsak sa akin yung katawan n'ya. He's too heavy habang inaalalayan ko s'ya papaupo sa may sofa.

"Nikkolas, are you alright?" he's not responding after I asked those. Maya maya pa, biglang umilaw ng kulay pula yung suot n'yang relo kaya't kaagad akong nagpanic.

I immediately dialed Mr. Parker's number but he's not responding. Nakailang tawag ako pero hindi ito sumasagot.

I tried to call once again at mabuti naman may sumagot na sa kabilang linya.

"Where is he now?" Mr. Parker asked worriedly.

I told him my address bago ulit ako tumingin kay Nikkolas. Hindi na nagtagal pa yung pag uusap namin sa telepono dahil kaagad n'yang ibinaba yung tawag. Based on his voice, I know he's sickly worried kaya't hindi ko na rin maiwasang magpanic. Even if he's just a robot, alam ko parang anak na rin ang turing n'ya rito. He's afraid that others might know the truth dahil alam ko isang malaking kaguluhan ito kapag nagkataon.

Lumapit ako kay Nikkolas para tingnan ito. Yes, he's a robot but he cares for me more than a human.

"Hershey," nang marinig ko ang boses na iyon ay kaagad akong nagulat. Eleonora's eye went on Nikkolas.

The way she looked at me now, hindi ko maiwasang kabahan.

"I already know the truth. I can't believe about it. Hindi ako makapaniwala."