Chapter 8
1610 Words
I walked into the student council office wearing confidence like a crown. Chin up, eyes forward—like I owned the place. Because I do now.
After submitting the exam results to Dad, I could finally breathe. Top 10. One of the council’s main requirements. I earned this. No shortcuts, no favors.
So when I crossed paths with her in the hallway—Celene, flanked by her usual impakta bestie—I didn’t even flinch. I raised a brow, made sure she saw it. This girl had been skating on my last nerve for weeks.
“Hi, Zey!” she chirped, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.
" Its Zarniah, we are not close. ",pagtatama ko.
"Zarniah then. ",
My eyebrow arched higher. Wow. She really thought I was born yesterday.
I rolled my eyes and moved to walk past her, but of course she just had to block my way like she mattered. Well she didn’t.
“Wait, I just wanted to be friends,” she said, flipping her hair like it was supposed to impress me. “Since you and Ezekiel are close and all.”
Her little sidekick gave me a look like I should be honored by her attempt at friendship.
I looked her dead in the eye. Smirked. “Sorry, I don’t do fake. And take note—Zeke is my prince.”
I stepped past her, letting my shoulder brush hers ever so slightly. “So if I were you… I’d stay in your lane.”
Nagkatinginan ang mga impakta niyang alipores. I could practically hear their brains short-circuiting.
Then suddenly—
“You always this territorial, Zey?”
I stiffened.
That voice. That calm, smug, borderline nakakagigil voice.
I turned slowly, and of course—nando’n siya. Leaning casually sa pinto ng council room, parang poster boy ng ‘cool and collected.’ One hand in his pocket, the other twirling a pen like he owned the damn hallway.
“Zeke,” I said, trying to sound unfazed. “Narinig mo ‘yon?”
He smirked. “Hard not to. Ang lakas ng declaration mo eh.”
I crossed my arms. “Well, at least malinaw. Hindi ako yung tipo'ng papayag basta-basta.”
He walked toward me, relaxed pero with intent—yung tipong alam niyang nakakagulo siya sa sistema mo and he’s loving it.
“Oh, I’ve always known where you stand,” he said. “Pero ngayon, dinig na dinig ng buong hallway.”
Tumigil siya sa harap ko. Close enough para mawala ‘yung sense of space.
“Congratulations,” he added, this time softer. Sincere.
“Alam mong nakapasok ako?” tanong ko, pilit tinatago ang ngiti.
“Of course,” he said. “Posted na. Pero alam ko rin na kaya mo. Kasi inspired ka.”
“Well,” sabay ngiti ko. “Kasalanan mo ‘yan.”
Ngumiti siya, pero seryoso pa rin ang mga mata. Tapos tumingin sa likod ko.
“Celene, the dean is asking for you.”
Nagtaas ako ng kilay. Hindi ko napansing nando’n pa pala ‘yung mga impakta. Hindi pa rin tapos makinig. Mga certified marites.
Umirap si Celene sabay talikod, mukhang gusto nang mag-walkout pero may dignity pang gustong ipaglaban. Too late.
Pagkaalis nila, binalingan ko ulit si Zeke.
“Told you,” I said, smirking. “My lane. My rules.”
“Yeah,” sabay tango niya, eyes still locked on mine. “And maybe I like that lane, too.”
Nanggigil ko siyang sinundan ng tingin.
Like
What the heck.. Ang kapal ng mukhang sabihin yun sa harapa pa talaga ni Zeke.
" Zey.. Your blocking the way. ", kumunot ang noo ko ng makita si Kuya Archie. Smirking at me, then kay Zeke na ngayon ay seryoso nang nakatingin sa akin.
" Excuse us. ", si Pocholo na nagmamadali na rin.
What the.
" Zey.. Go inside. ", tinulak ako ni Kuya.
Nanginginig pa ako sa galit at parang hindi ako makakapirme kapag hindi ako nakaganti sa mga impaktang iyon.
Pagpasok ko sa student council room, iba ang atmosphere. The air was formal, almost stiff. Wala na ang playful, teasing side ni Zeke. Instead, he was all business.
Tinutok niya ang tingin sa mga papers sa harap niya, as if he was the president of the world. Mga council members na dati’y parang mga ka-barkada lang niya, ngayon—lahat parang nakatingin kay Zeke with respect. May authority na. Parang wala nang space for personal stuff.
Ngunit… nakita ko pa rin ‘yung glimmer of something sa mga mata niya. Yung tipong secret na lang, walang may alam kundi kami.
I took my seat across from him, trying to keep my cool. Pero hindi ko maiwasan ang pagngiti—kasi kahit gano’n siya ngayon, alam ko siya. Hindi pa rin siya makakatago sa mga mata ko.
As the meeting began, he was sharp, serious, and actually very... presidential. He made his usual statements, handled the discussions with ease, and gave orders that the rest of the council immediately followed. Pero may mga moments pa rin—like when I caught him glancing at me for just a second too long—na hindi ko maiwasang mag-isip kung paano siya as a leader. It was like a whole new side to him I hadn’t really seen before.
The meeting was intense, but Zeke was the anchor. Hindi siya malilihis. He managed every problem with cool precision, and there was this magnetism about him na parang walang nakakaalam ng personal na side ko sa kanya.
“Zarniah,” he called my name, voice serious, eyes never leaving the paper he was writing on. “We need you to come up with the theme of upcoming festical month next month. .”
Sa tono ng boses niya, parang lahat ng naroroon ay nakatingin lang sa akin, waiting for my next move. As if Zeke was leading me into this. It was like the whole world was suddenly paying attention to my every move.
“Got it,” I said, trying to sound confident. Pero deep inside, ang dami ng tanong. Gusto ko bang magpakita ng skills o baka ‘yun na naman, Zeke trying to test me?
" You sure Zey?.. ", Kuya Archie interrupted.
tumaas ang kilay ko. " As if , I am like you, playing with girls, doing some weird things,... Haler, I have a mind Kuya ", I said with a proud face in front of him.
He just shrug and pat at me.
" Good luck then, You can come to me anytime for help. ", nakangiti pa nitong sabi.
" No need. I'd be with her. ", biglang sabi ni Zeke.
Tumaas ang kilay ko at agad na napangisi.
I even saw how he glance at me pero umiwas rin since everyone is staring at us.
" Sure bro.. It would be a big help for her. ", sabi pa ni Kuya sabay busy sa kanyang phone na walang tigil sa pagtunog.
This womanizer..
The tension was palpable when the meeting was about to end, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that Zeke had seen more than just my contributions to the council. His glance earlier was too loaded.
Pagdating ng hapon, nagkita kami ni Zeke sa hallway. Wala nang ibang tao. He leaned against the wall, looking at me with that familiar cocky smirk.
“Wanna study?" he asked, his voice casual, but I could tell there was something else beneath it.
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes, a playful grin tugging at my lips. "Ahhh… I wanna go to the mall. Do some dating with you,” I teased, making sure my tone was just the right amount of bratty.
“Tsk. It’s not time for that,” he replied, clearly not buying my act. But I knew how to push his buttons.
I crossed my arms, sticking my lip out in a mock pout. “A celebration for being a good girl. Can I have that prize for this date then?” I gave him my best pleading look.
He raised an eyebrow at me, but I could see his resolve weakening. “A celebration, huh?” he repeated, still looking me over, though his eyes were softening. "You’re trying to make me weak, aren’t you?”
“I want my prince to treat his princess. Can you do that for me, please?” I said, flashing my most charming smile.
He stared at me for a moment, his smirk slowly turning into something warmer. “Okay. Let’s meet up at 5 p.m. after your last subject.”
I gasped, my excitement bubbling up. “Really?! Oh my god, yes! I promise, I’ll be the best princess ever!” I squealed a little, almost forgetting to hold back my excitement.
Zeke chuckled, looking at me with a mix of amusement and something deeper, something I couldn’t quite figure out. “I’ll be waiting, Your Highness. Don’t make me wait too long.”
I beamed at him, feeling a wave of happiness wash over me. “I won’t! I’ll be there, I swear.”
He gave me one last smile, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he turned to leave. “Then I’ll see you later.”
Nang makitang tumalikod na si Zeke, hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili kiligin, na kahit na pagdating sa room, nasa ibang dimention naman ang utak ko.
Imagination that I should do with Zeke alone.
Maybe a Kiss with him during night part ng sinehan?
Or maybe...
Ahhhhhhhh..
He will hold my hand while saying an I love you to me?..
...........................NEXT................
- Writer
