"Hi! May nakaupo rito?"

I approached him. With both hands holding my plate, just in case I'd start trembling with his presence again, I walked to his table and offered him the sweetest smile I could ever do.

Unti-unti ang pag-angat niya ng tingin sa akin. His eyes were a bit wondering, questioning if I was really talking to him.

Mas pinalawak ko ang ngiti at tuluyan nang nilapag ang plato sa harap niya.

"Upo ako, ha? Wala na kasing available na seats," dahilan ko para umangat ang mukha niya.

His eyes wandered around, probably confirming my reason. Dahil sa ginawa niya, napasunod din tuloy ang mga mata ko para kompirmahin na wala na ngang upuan, dahil kung meroon, paniguradong mapapahiya na naman ako.

And it looked like heaven was agreeing with my plan. Tahimik akong napangiti nang makitang punong-puno na nga ang cafeteria. Some of the students were even looking around, finding a spot for themselves.

"Sure," he replied almost silently. Rinig ko ang kaunting himig ng pagtutol doon pero dahil nakatayo na ako sa harap niya, wala na siyang magawa.

Lumapad ang ngisi ko. "Thank you!" At tuluyan na ngang umupo sa harap niya.

I put my bag beside me. On the chair, since it was designed to accommodate two people. I didn't want to add more things on the table since the space was already limited. Baka rin masagi ko pa ang mga binabasa niya.

Saglit kong tinitigan ang tumpok ng bondpaper. Halos kalahati na ata ng isang ream ang dami no'n.

Babasahin niya lahat ng 'yon? Hindi ba siya tinatamad? Ako nga, twenty pages pa lang ng pdf, give up na agad, e.

Lumipat ang mga mata ko sa kaniya. He was already back to reading the file that he was holding. Hindi ko mabasa kung tungkol sa ano iyon dahil ang liit ng mga nakasulat.

He was concentrating so well. Unlike I, who get distracted even by just small noises and slight movements, he didn't seem to mind at all. Tutok na tutok siya at parang ang binabasa lang ang nakikita.

The sun hit a part of his face when the umbrella shed outside the cafeteria got blown by the wind. His eyes were illuminated and there I unveiled another discovery.

His eyes were chestnut brown. Hindi agad mapapansin dahil sa glasses niya at lalo na kapag malayo ka sa kaniya. But if you look closely, you'll see it. They shine when they are being lighted by the sun's rays.

He probably noticed that I hadn't moved in front of him so he looked up to me. I was surprised for a moment when his eyes met mine. Something jumped inside me.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang segundo o minuto na ba akong nakatitig sa kaniya.

His eyes did not have any emotions in them. If there was, it was just a slight wonder that immediately faded.

"Are you okay?" I couldn't understand his simple question because my eyes were suddenly stuck to his Adam's apple.

Masiyadong halata.

Looking at him this close, I was able to examine his features clearly. No pores. No pimples. A protruding Adam's apple. Deep set eyes. Chris Evans lips. Sharp jaw. White as our uniform. Middle-parted hair that was slightly curled at the tips.

I wonder if those are natural curls? They look like they are.

"Miss—"

"Can I have your number?" My mouth decided what I wanted to do.

Nakita ko ang unti-unting pagkaroon ng linya sa noo niya. Mabilis akong natauhan dahil doon.

"Sa symposium. Sa huwebes. Pupunta ka, 'di ba?" madaling bawi ko.

Hindi nag-iba ang mukha niya. His forehead remained on a tight crease. He didn't understand what I was trying to say. Or he did, but he didn't get why I was doing it.

His intense stare caused my heart to palpitate. I could feel it inside me, banging like a drunk partygoer. But, I also didn't want to lose the chance. I already pulled the string, better it pull it closer.

"Nando'n ka, 'di ba? I-reserve mo naman ako ng upuan. Kahit iyong sa hulihan na lang. Hindi naman ako makikinig, e. Need ko lang sa attendance. Baka wala na ako maabutan, e. Isang oras pa naman biyahe mula sa 'min," mahabang paghingi ko ng pabor.

I was trying to make sense and appeal to his rationality as much as possible. But for someone as smart as him, I think that was a such cheap strategy. He'd never fall for it.

"Then, you should consider leaving early," he replied so plainly, making me feel like I lacked basic common sense!

Grabe, nakabobobo pala siya kausap! Parang hindi tinatablan ng dahilan! Hindi naloloko!

"Hoy, maaga kaya ako umaalis! Pero traffic pa rin! Baka bukas, mas malala 'yong traffic. Malay ko anong oras na ako makarating," depensa ko agad sa sarili.

His face was telling me that he will never be convinced by my game. So, I had to think of something. I had to do something.

I leaned forward slightly, making sure he'd see through my eyes. Nakita kong saglit siyang nabigla dahil nailayo niya ang hawak na papel mula sa akin.

"Sige na, please," paawa ko. "Pasuyo lang. Kilala ka naman, e. For sure, hindi sila tatanggi kung magre-reserve ka ng seat," pilit ko sa nagpapa-awang boses.

He was able to recollect his composure fast. He flipped the paper to its next page and firmly replied, "That's not right."

Napangiwi ako. Ma-prinsipyo.

"Hindi ka naman ikukulong kahit mabisto ka. Sige na, maawa ka. Kapag wala akong attendance, kailangan kong kumuha ng long quiz. Ano isasagot ko do'n, e, hindi naman siya nagtuturo?" I reasoned again, this time with a latent of truth.

Totoo namang hindi siya nagtuturo, e. Wala nga lang long quiz kapag hindi um-attend. Plus points siguro sa pupunta, puwede pa. Depende sa takbo ng utak niyang limang daang daan ata ang dinadaanan.

The man stared at me, long and unconvinced, but I made sure to appeal to his eyes. Pinakurap-kurap ko pa ang mga mata at nagpaawa lalo. I even made my smile wider that I could already picture myself looking like a fool.

His forehead knotted again. This time, he was clearly weirded out, but he was able to retain his calm expression.

"Don't you have friends?"

"Hoy, grabe ka!" I gasped at the sudden accusation.

"I am asking." His low voice was lowkey telling me that he was so done.

"Siyempre, mero'n! Anong akala mo sa 'kin? Friendless?" offended kong sagot.

He didn't pay attention to my exaggerated response. He clearly was not willing to play.

"Then, why not ask them?" he seriously asked.

Umupo ako nang maayos dahil nagsimula nang mangalay ang likod ko.

"Walang mga paki sa attendance 'yong mga 'yon. Walang pupunta sa kanila," I honestly said. "Sige na, please. Ayaw kong kumuha ng quiz," and went back to asking him petty favors.

Mas lalong nangunot ang noo niya, para bang nabobobohan siya sa akin na parang isang quiz lang, takot na takot na.

"Please?" I added hesitantly.

"You shouldn't be talking to random people and ask them favors, miss. What if I'm a bad guy?"

"E, hindi naman, e," mabilis kong tanggi.

Ngayon, talagang nahulog na sa inis ang ekspresiyon niya. Bigla akong kinabahan dahil nandilim ang mga mata niya pero hindi ko iyon ipinahalata.

"That naivety of yours will get you into trouble," sambit niya saka tinulak papunta sa akin ang kaniyang cellphone.

Nagulat ako. Hindi ko inaasahan kaya muntik nang mahulog iyon dahil pahagis ang pagtulak niya. Mabuti na lang ay mabilis ang naging galaw ng kamay ko para pigilan iyon sa dulo ng mesa. I didn't even know that my hand moved. It was like it acquired its own consciousness and moved on its own.

I was immediately directed to his dial pad. Hindi ko na nakita kung anong details ng phone niya. I just knew it was an iPhone, and it was black. I was not sure which version, and not that it even mattered.

Mabilis kong itinipa ang numero ko roon, again with my hands that seemed to memorize my number, because I was sure my mind had stopped working. At nang akmang pipindutin ko na sana ang call button ay agad niyang binawi iyon sa akin.

"Saglit—" Hindi ko naipagpatuloy ang pag-angal nang makita kong si-nave niya iyon sa contacts niya.

Walang pangalan kun'di letrang A lang. Halatang pumili lang siya ng random letter para lang ma-save iyon.

Tahimik akong napanguso.

Hindi man lang nag-effort. Hmp.

"Hindi ko napa-ring..." pabulong na reklamo ko habang sinusundan ng tingin ang paglagay niya ng cellphone sa kaniyang bulsa.

He glanced at me. I didn't look back because my eyes were still glued to his pocket that I couldn't even see from where I was.

"I'll text you."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa narinig.

"Really?" excited kong tanong.

That was a step.

He didn't answer anymore but his eyes talked to me with words, "Didn't you hear me?"

Malawak akong napangisi. "Okay."

"Now, if you'd let me read in peace," he dismissed.

"Sure! Thank you. Sa huwebes ha!" huling ani ko bago siya hinayaang magbasa nang tahimik at nagsimula na ring kumain.

The rest of the day, I couldn't stop looking at my phone for the text that he mentioned. I was anticipating the whole time, but to my disappointment, nothing came. Even the next day, the day before the symposium, when I was not able to see him around the campus the whole day, not even a letter from an unknown number got lost into my inbox.

I was thinking if he forgot about it? Truly or... intentionally?

Hindi ko na hinayaan na sumama pa ang loob ko dahil baka nakalimutan niya naman talaga. He was reading a lot of documents when he said that. He probably got preoccupied by his readings. It probably slipped out his mind.

Kakausapin ko na lang siya bukas dahil magkikita naman kami. But I think he also forgot about our conversation. Dahil nang makarating ako sa venue ng symposium kinabukasan, wala akong nakitang bakanteng upuan sa hulihang row ng mga silya.

Hindi ako nakagalaw nang makitang wala akong mauupuan doon dahil puro okupado na. I was late for about fifteen minutes and the venue was already packed. Mangilan-ngilan na lang ang walang nakaupo at malapit pa sa unahan lahat ng iyon.

Even though the distance to the front row was long, I tried to search for Gideon. Hindi ako ganoong nahirapan. After a few seconds, I saw him, thanks to his height. Alam ko agad na siya 'yon kahit pa nakatalikod. His hairstyle gave him away.

Nasa pangalawang row siya ng mga upuan, nakikinig nang maayos sa lalaking nagsasalita sa unahan. Tuwid ang upo niya. Sa tabi niya ay isa pang lalaki na sa tingin ko ay ang kasama niya rin noong kamakailan.

My eyes squinted when I noticed that the seat on his left was not occupied by anyone. Parang may kumuryente agad sa akin nang maisip na baka para sa akin iyon.

Hindi na ako nagdalawang isip na lumapit. Unless, I wanted to stay there standing the whole duration of the event, which clearly, I didn't plan on doing. Kaya naglakad na lang ako papunta sa kanila.

I excused myself through until I finally reached the seat. He noticed me but he didn't say anything.

"Sabi ko, sa huling row lang ako," bulong ko sa kaniya nang makaupo.

He gave me a side glance before he replied.

"I can't watch the seat if it's far," aniya sa pormal na boses.

I smirked to myself.

All right, Herron. Sabihin mo na lang kasing gusto mo akong makatabi.

"Sinong kausap mo?" Nagulat ako nang biglang dumungaw ang kaibigan niya para tingnan ako.

Bagong gupit siya. Napansin ko agad dahil hindi siya naka-buzz cut noong huling kita ko sa kaniya. He also had a small silver ear piercing.

He smirked playfully when he saw me. I immediately saw a hint of a playboy look on his face.

Medyo nabigla ako dahil hindi ko inaakala na ganoon pala siya, base na rin sa una naming pagkikita. I thought he would be more like Gideon. Pero sa ngisi niya pa lang, alam ko na agad na magkaibang-magkaiba ang ugali nilang dalawa.

"Ah. We're reserving a seat for a girl," nanunuksong sambit niya nang balingan si Gideon na nakatingin sa harap.

"Lower your voice, Claud," saway ng huli sa kaniya.

But he didn't mind his remark. Mas yumuko pa nga siya para mas maharap ako dahil napapanggitnaan namin si Gideon.

"Hi. I'm Claud. You are?" he introduced himself and held out his hand.

I extended my hand to accept his hand. Dahil sa ginawa ko ay hindi inaasahang nasagi ko nang kaunti ang hita ni Gideon.

"Sorry," I mouthed when I saw that his eyes menacingly glared at me.

I turned to his friend who was expecting an answer. Ngumiti ako sa kaniya at tuluyang nakipagkamay.

"Kaia," I said shortly.

"Nice name. Anong course mo?" But he didn't plan to stop the conversation just like that.

"AB English."

"Oy, same department lang pala tayo! Hindi kita—"

"Save the chat, Claud." Muling pumagitna si Gideon.

"Nagtatanong lang naman ako," pambabara ng lalaki sa kaibigan.

Muli siyang humarap sa akin at ngumisi.

"Ano nang year mo? 'Di ba ikaw 'yong lumapit sa 'min last time?" He was hardheaded, I immediately knew that.

Sasagot na sana ako pero sinamaan ulit ako ng tingin ng katabi. It was a warning. Kaya kahit gusto mang sumagot ay pinilit ko na lang na itikom ang bibig.

I smiled apologetically to Claud who was still waiting for a reply.

"Mamaya na," I dismissed and sat properly.

I tried to listen to the speaker but no words got through my ears. My attention was completely seduced by the smell of the man sitting beside me, and his knee that was touching a part of my skirt.

I stared at his hand that was comfortably placed on his thigh. It was big and his fingers were long. His nails were properly cut and clean as though they never touched mud since childhood.

I mean, yes. Maybe. He was born with a silver spoon. His mom owns a famous boutiqe and his father is the current mayor of the city. Kaya rin siguro ang dami niyang alam na batas.

Pero hindi sila magkaugali ng tatay niya. His father always gives off a soft aura. Kaya nga rin siguro mahal na mahal iyon ng mga tao dahil mabait. At marami na rin siyang nagawang mabuti sa bayan. In fact, he's usually on the coverpage of news for his good deeds.

While Gideon... He's principled. He's not bad but he does not smile as often. He also prefers to stay quiet at most times. Siguro nagmana sa nanay? Hindi ko alam dahil hindi ko pa naman nakakasalamuha iyon.

Nilipat ko ang tingin sa kaniyang mukha. He was listening well. Nasa harap ang buong atensiyon niya, habang wala namang pumapasok sa pandinig ko.

It was boring. I didn't know what he found interesting from the speaker.

"Hindi ka nag-text." Hindi na ako nagpapigil at bumulong na sa kaniya.

He gave me a quick side glance. Pero hindi siya sumagot kaya naman kinalabit ko siya.

"Listen, woman," saway niya.

"Hindi naman importante 'yan," bagot na reklamo ko.

"He might be spitting words of hate against you. Who knows, the next day you might die."

Napalabi ako.

Ang seryoso nman nito. Masyadong maraming alam. Feeling ata may banta lagi sa buhay. Ganito ba talaga kapag anak ng politiko?

"Okay. Later, then," I gave up because I knew he'd just get irritated if I continue talking.

Ilang sandali pa, nang patapos na sa pagsasalita ang speaker, ay nagpaalam ako sa kaniya na magre-restroom muna. Medyo natagalan ako dahil nasa kabilang dulo pa iyon ng building. And when I came back, he was not on his seat anymore.

Halos kalahati ng mga tao na kanina'y naroon sa loob ay wala na, at kabilang siya roon.

Hindi niya man lang ako hinintay.