CHAPTER 23:THE UNCALCULATED FRICTION
759 Words
I always prided myself on my ability to remain analytical under pressure. As an engineer, everything in my world could be broken down into structural forces, stresses, and balances. But on a scorching Thursday afternoon inside the university library, a force entered the room that completely disrupted my entire system.
And it wasn't a mathematics problem.
"Reuben! Oh my gosh, thank goodness nandito ka lang pala!"
A sharp, cheerful voice shattered the quiet sanctuary of our corner table behind the circulation desk. I looked up from my thick compilation of Engineering Mathematics reviewers, my mechanical pencil freezing mid-air.
Walking toward our table was Cheska. She was a fourth-year Accountancy student, a regular dean's lister, and someone whose presence was always impossible to ignore. Today, she was wearing a fitted top that defied the campus dress code, her long, curled hair bouncing as she smiled directly at my library partner.
"Cheska? Bakit?" Reuben asked, blinking in surprise. He didn't stand up, but he politely paused from tapping on his financial calculator.
"Nawawala kasi ako dun sa adjustments sa Comprehensive Auditing problem natin kay Prof. Macaraeg," Cheska sighed dramatically, sitting down on the empty chair right next to Reuben—closer than necessary. She leaned in, her shoulder lightly brushing against his as she opened her ledger. "Nahihirapan talaga ako, baka pwedeng paturo naman? Sabi kasi ni Aaliyah, ikaw lang ang nakakuha ng perfect score sa mock quiz kahapon."
My jaw tightened instinctively.My chest followed.
"Ah, madali lang 'yan. Gagamitin mo lang ang asset-method correction," Reuben replied smoothly, turning his focus to her book. He adjusted his seat slightly to maintain a respectful distance, but Cheska didn't seem to care about personal space.
"Talaga? Ang galing mo talaga, Reuben. I don't know what I'd do without you this semester," Cheska cooed, letting out a soft laugh as she playfully tapped Reuben's forearm. "You're literally the life-saver of our department."
I stared at her hand on his forearm. A sudden, violent surge of heat rushed straight to my chest—and it had absolutely nothing to do with the summer weather outside. It was sharp, suffocating, and incredibly uncomfortable.
In my past life, I felt anxiety and fear whenever other people approached Mark, but this was different. This was a primal, territorial instinct that made my blood boil. I wanted to slap her hand off his arm. I wanted to pack my books and tell her to find another tutor.
Wait. What is happening to me? I thought, my heart slamming against my ribs in a sudden panic. Am I... jealous?
"Malia? Okay ka lang?" Reuben’s voice suddenly cut through my chaotic internal monologue.
I blinked, realizing I had been glaring at my reviewer so hard that the lead of my pencil had snapped under my grip. Both Reuben and Cheska were now looking at me. Reuben’s eyes held a sudden, perceptive curiosity, while Cheska merely gave me a brief, dismissive glance.
"Oo naman," I forced out, keeping my voice cold and flat as I stood up, abruptly gathering my drafting sheets and books.Reuben's head snapped up,his hand froze over his calculator,eyeing me then Cheska then back at me,finally noticing the tension, "Na-derive ko na naman 'yung mga needed formulas for the quiz tomorrow. Mauuna na ako sa boarding house."
"Wait, Malia, sabay na tayo—" Reuben started, quickly closing his own notebook.
"Huwag na, Reuben," I interrupted smoothly, throwing my bag over my shoulder. I looked straight at Cheska, then back at him, my expression completely unreadable. "Tapusin mo muna 'yang 'audit adjustments' niyo. Nakakahiya naman kung maiwan mong hindi tapos ang accounts ni Cheska."
Without waiting for his response, I turned on my heel and marched out of the library. My strides were large and furious. The cold air of the library vanished as I pushed through the glass doors, the heavy afternoon heat hitting me like a physical blow. But the fire burning inside me was much worse.
As I walked down the pavilion pathway, my chest heaved with a messy cocktail of anger and terrifying realization. I couldn't deny it anymore. The walls of logic I had spent two lifetimes building had completely crumbled. I didn't just see Reuben as a protective shield or a reliable library partner.
I was completely, madly in love with him—and the mere thought of another woman holding his attention felt like a complete collapse of my entire world.
- Writer
