Chapter 9
1340 Words
“Balita ko exempted ka daw sa midterm exam kay Prof. Rudy.”
Eros said, his tone teasing as we walked home.
I just nodded at him, keeping my expression neutral. Inside, I felt a small flicker of pride, but I didn’t show it.
“So galing talaga si Lumina Maldita.”
He laughed, clearly enjoying making fun of me.
“Tss.”
I rolled my eyes and said, “Huwag kang ganyan.”
“Dahil diyan, libre kita tomorrow ng gabi.”
He grinned and pinched my nose playfully. I caught that hint of hesitation in his eyes, like he wanted to say more but held back.
“Ano ba!”
I snapped, shooting him a sharp look. But I couldn’t keep the slight smile off my lips.
“Easy, maldita.”
He laughed again, clearly not taking me seriously.
“Tss.”
I said coldly, folding my arms, pretending not to care.
“Lumina Maldita.”
He called me again, this time softer.
“Hmm.”
I answered, still looking straight ahead as we reached the gate of my house.
We stopped and I turned slightly to face him.
“What?”
I asked, voice steady but curious. Suddenly, he looked restless.
“Ah eh. Wala. Advance good night na lang.”
He said quickly, shaking his head as if he wanted to tell me something but stopped himself.
I raised an eyebrow at him, noticing his unease. He seemed nervous, but I didn’t say anything.
“Idiot.”
I murmured under my breath, then walked inside.I went straight to my room to change and cook dinner, but my mind kept drifting back to Eros.
Ew, stop it, Lumi.
I cursed under my breath, trying hard to push those thoughts away. To distract myself, I decided to study anything to stop thinking about Eros and his reaction earlier.
Mag study na lang ako, baka mag-bigay na naman ng surprise quiz si sir. As if, it’s his forte pa naman.
Lost in my reading, I didn’t realize it was already 12 am. Feeling tired, I decided to take a nap. Tanghali pa naman ang pasok ko, mag study na lang ako ulit ng 6 am. Mas alert ako in the morning compared to studying at night.
***********
“LUMINA MALDITAA!!”
Suddenly, I heard Eros shouting at our gate. I hurried out to the veranda to see who it was.
There he was, looking neat and dashing, carrying an Aquaflask tumbler and a UV umbrella. Nakapayong siya dahil mainit ang panahon. When he saw me on the veranda, he scrunched his nose and frowned, clearly annoyed.
Even with that grumpy look, there was something about him,something that made my heart skip. I folded my arms and tried to keep my cool.
Bakit hindi ka pa bihis?
He asked.
It’s still 10 am, Eros.
I answered, noticing the confusion and slight disappointment on his face.
Nakalimutan mo na ba?
He asked again, sounding a bit sulky, like a kid who expected something and didn’t get it.
What?
I said, just as confused, crossing my arms.
Ang date natin?
He said quietly, trying not to show how much it bothered him.
Date?
I asked again, truly puzzled.
Ah eh, diba I said I will treat you today?
He replied, scratching the back of his neck, looking a little embarrassed.
But you didn’t say this early.
I shot back, a bit frustrated but trying not to be harsh.
Nag-message ako sayo sa IG.
He sounded a little upset now, disappointment clear in his voice but no anger.
Huh?
I blinked, still clueless.
“LUMINA MALDITAA! Hindi mo kase ako kinonfirm!”
He said this with a pout, his voice soft but full of hurt.
Why are you shouting?
I asked, raising my eyebrows at him, trying to keep my tone calm. But instead of answering, the man just pouted even harder, his jaw tightening with a stubbornness that made him look almost like a kid refusing to give in.
God, this man is impossible.
I thought to myself, half amused, half exasperated.
“What are the neighbors gonna think now?”
Tss, I muttered under my breath, a little embarrassed by the whole scene.
Sigi, uwi na lang ako.
He said suddenly, letting out a deep sigh that sounded like he didn’t want to leave but felt forced to.
Did I ask you to leave?
I said, raising my eyebrow at him, making sure he knew I was serious.
He looked like a lost puppy,cute but also really annoying.
Idiot.
I thought to myself, trying not to smile too much.
Bu—
But before he could say anything, I cut him off.
Wait for me in the living room.
I said firmly.
His eyes grew wide, clearly surprised by what I said.
What? Now?
I asked again, watching him freeze, like he didn’t want to leave and was shocked by my words. He shook his head a little, trying to hide his red cheeks.
Haystt bunita gat Lord Jusko.
He murmured under his breath, a mix of amazement and frustration.
Bumaba ako para pagbuksan siya ng pinto.
“Come in,” I said quietly to Eros, my voice cold and distant as always.
He looked nervous, maybe a little worried, like he had something on his mind but didn’t want to say it out loud.
“LUMINA, hindi ba magagalit parents mo?”
He asked softly, hesitant, like he didn’t want to upset me.
“Huh?”
I frowned, feeling annoyed. I hated talking about my parents, it was a topic I wanted to avoid.
“Won’t they get mad that you’re letting a guy into the house?”
He asked again, sounding worried but careful.
“As if they care.”
I answered flatly, with no emotion. I wanted him to know I didn’t want to talk about it.
“My parents don’t care at all.”
I added, sounding cold but honest. I kept my face expressionless.
“They are still your parents, Lumi.”
His voice grew serious, like he was trying to make me see something important.
I frowned more, feeling the tension. I could tell he wanted to say more, but I wasn’t ready to listen.
“Do you want to leave now?”
I said, biting my teeth, trying to keep calm but showing some irritation.
“Are you sending me away already? Please don’t, love.”
He sighed and made a cute pout that made it hard to stay angry, even though I wanted to.
I could feel his quiet worry and sadness under that pout. Annoying, yes, but also real. Still, I wasn’t ready to talk about my family. Not yet.
“Then shut up, my parents wouldn’t mind. We’re not even a thing.” I said coldly, watching him closely. I saw how his eyes flickered, almost like he was hurt,his face tensed, and I swear his heart skipped a beat.
“Sorry.”
Mahina niyang sabi, bumaba ang tingin niya habang yumuko.
“Tss.”
I murmured, trying not to show how annoyed I really was.
“Sorry, Lumi.”
He said again, sounding guilty,like he felt small and ashamed.
Umupo na siya sa sofa pero nakayuko pa rin, parang gusto ng magtago sa mundo o lamunin siya ng lupa.
“Coffee, water, juice, or Coke?”
Tanong ko nang walang emosyon, parang wala rin akong pakialam.
Tumaas siya ng tingin galing sa pagkayuko, bahagyang bumuka ang mga labi niya, hesitant.
“Coffee, water, juice, or coke?”
Ulit ko, medyo mahigpit ang tingin, halatang gusto kong makita kung kaya niyang sagutin.
“Um, pwedeng coke,” mahina niyang tugon, ramdam ko ang bigat ng guilt sa boses niya.
“Then get yourself one from the fridge.”
I said savagely,at iniwan ko na siya ng hindi inasikaso.
“LUMINA, maldita ka talaga, sobra kang un-hospitable!”
Bigla siyang sumigaw, halatang nahihirapan sa guilt at frustration.
Ngumiti lang ako na may halong pang-aasar. Serves you right for making me feel guilty. Tss.
- Writer
