Prologue
854 Words
It was the middle of our discussion when someone suddenly interrupted the class. I was busy daydreaming again about my long-time crush. Well, he’s my one and only crush after all.
"The Dean wants to talk to you, Ma'am. She said it's urgent."
Halos manlamig ako nang marinig ko ang baritonong boses na iyon. Para akong nagising nang biglaan; automatic na nag-activate ang hormones ko. Ganito talaga kapag nasa malapit ko lang siya.
Dahan-dahan kong iniangat ang mukha ko, and there he was. My heart pounded faster the moment my eyes landed on the man of my dreams.
Shit.
He’s here.
Kean Jake Buenaventura is actually here.
Para akong mauubusan ng hangin. Pakiramdam ko’y gusto nang kumawala ng puso ko mula sa rib cage ko. Nabalik lang ako sa wisyo nang tapikin ako ni Ariesa.
"Stop drooling at him, Miles," she whispered.
"O to the M and G. Why does he always look so hot, Ries?" bulong ko.
"Grr. Tigilan mo nga. I swear may tama ka sa ulo. Wake up from your wild imagination and wet dreams. Ano bang nagustuhan mo riyan sa tuod na 'yan?"
"Hoy, hindi siya tuod! He’s a masterpiece of God. His body, his face, his height, his lips—hello? Ano pang hahanapin mo?"
“Crazy,” she muttered.
Pero hindi ko na pinansin. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him. He was still talking to our professor, while a few girls nearby giggled like high schoolers. Napa-init tuloy ang ulo ko. They have no right to fantasize about him. Akin lang kaya siya!
Then he said, “I gotta go, Ma’am,” before leaving.
No. No way. My Kean, don’t leave me…
Gusto ko sanang isigaw pero hindi naman pwede. At kahit man lang tumingin sa direction ko, hindi niya ginawa.
Yeah, why would he? He doesn’t know me. He doesn’t even see me. In his world, I am nothing.
Napakasuplado niya. Hindi namamansin ng kahit sino, except his friends. Pero kahit ganoon, hindi nawala ang paghanga ko sa kanya.
Nagpaalam si Ma’am kaya maagang natapos ang klase. Siyempre, tuwang-tuwa kaming lahat. Vacant time!
Humarap ako kay Ariesa, may ngiting puno ng kabulastugan. I had a plan. If I want Kean to finally notice me, I need to do something. Hindi ako pwedeng manatiling estranghero sa paningin niya.
"Ries, do you know what I’m thinking?" tanong ko.
"Do I look like a fortune teller to you?" taas-kilay niyang sagot.
Napangiwi ako. Minsan naiisip ko paano kami naging best friends.
"I'm going to research," sabi ko.
"Huh? Research for what?"
“Ways on how to get noticed by your crush.”
“Por Dios por santo, Miles! Desperada ka na!” sigaw niya. Napalingon tuloy ang iba. Hinila ko agad siya patayo.
"Wait—saan tayo pupunta?"
Hindi ko siya sinagot. Kinaladkad ko siya papuntang CR at ini-lock ang pinto.
“I. Am. So. Desperate,” sabi ko, seryoso ang mukha.
“Kapag nalaman ‘to ng Mommy mo, kukutusan ka no’n.”
“No. Trust me. Ito lang ang paraan. And you’re helping me.”
“No way!”
“Yes way.”
And the next thing we knew, nandito kami ngayon sa apartment, both busy scrolling for “helpful tips.” Nakadapa ako sa kama, habang si Ries ay nakaupo na may laptop sa hita.
“Look! I found something!” sigaw ko habang papakita sa kanya ang nakita kong article.
Need helpful tips?
This is an effective way to get noticed by your crush.
Proven and tested.
• Play hide and seek by stealing their undergarments.
• There is a thrill once you get their thing. Just hide, and they will look for you.
• It is important to them, so they will never forget whoever took it.
• Warning: Do not get caught.
Halos malaglag ang panga ni Ariesa. Umiling siya nang sunod-sunod.
“You are kidding me. No. You’re not doing that.”
“No, I will,” sagot ko.
“Hell no—”
“I can do this.”
Sinubukan pa niya akong pigilan, pero hindi ko siya pinakinggan. I already had a plan.
And now, here I am, outside the varsity shower room. According to my “sources,” Kean is done playing basketball and is currently taking a shower with the team.
Nag-sign of the cross muna ako. Para na akong ninja habang dahan-dahang lumalapit sa kung saan nakalapag ang gamit niya. Kailangan kong makuha ang kahit anong undergarment niya. Boxer shorts or brief. This is a matter of life and death!
Hinalungkat ko ang bag niya. Wala akong nakita. Then I lifted it and saw it. His black Calvin Klein boxer shorts.
Huminga ako nang malalim bago iyon kunin. Bigla akong nakarinig ng kalabog kaya mabilis akong nagtatakbo.
Wrong move.
Nadapa pa ako pero tumayo agad. Kailangan kong makaalis bago may makakita sa akin.
I was almost out when I heard someone roar inside.
“Who the f**k stole my boxer shorts?!”
Mas mabilis pa sa kabayong may multo, tumakbo ako palayo.
And then it hit me.
I dropped my ID inside.
Shit.
Fuck.
I’m doomed.
- Writer
