I cleared my throat and avoid his eyes. "Ikaw pala," nauutal pang sambit ko at tinalikuran ito. Naghanap ulit ako ng libro sa shelf gaya ng kaniyang kinuha. I thought there'd be plenty of it dahil school library ito. But it seems that its the only copy that our school have, which is a bad thing.
I turn my head to look at him, dahil pansin ko ang pagkatahimik nito. I was startled he's already looking at me with those sharp eyes.
"Do you need this book?" Nagbaba siya ng tingin sa libro at inusisa ito. He checked the middle page, close it, and glance at the back cover before looking again at me. "Mahilig ka palang magbasa ng libro?" tanong niya muli. I just look at him a bit surprise. I was trying to avoid him earlier, how funny that he's infront of me now. "Nakikita mo ba ako? Or am I invisible to your sight?" He chuckled softly.
"I need it." I tried not to stutter again. He might think I'm nervous or awkward talking to him. Well, hindi ko naman iyon maitatanggi. After what happened last night, I talked too much which is a bad idea. "Pero kung gagamitin mo, you can have it first." I wasn't sure if I said it right. I badly need that book and I need to finish it before the day ends.
He shook his head. "Hindi naman ako nagbabasa ng libro," an'ya sabay abot sa 'kin nito. "Mukhang wala kang klase ah?" Humarap ito sa shelf at tinignan ang mga libro na nando'n. Hindi daw siya nagbabasa ng libro, but it seems that he's looking for something particular.
"I got kicked out," tugon ko dahilan para lingunin ako nito muli.
He then chuckled. "Kicked out? Genius students aren't supposed to get kicked out, right?" He grinned. Ito na naman siya sa 'matalino-ka-thing'. When will he stop? "Na-iba na ba ngayon?" He pretended to be confused. I rolled my eyes and smirk. "Si Ms. Fugal siguro ang propesor mo." He sounds sure.
"Ba't alam mo?"
"Prof. namin siya last year at parati niya sa'ming pinapahanap ng librong ya'n." Tinignan niya ang librong hawak ko. His eyes flushed as if reminiscing a memory. "Alam mo ba kung ilang kamay na ang humawak d'yan?"
I shrugged. I had no idea na ganito na pala ang way ng punishment ni Ms. Fugal sa mga estudyante niya noon pa. "She also asked you to analyze how the characters were constructed?"
"Hindi lang 'yan, she also wants us to find out the side story of a particular character, kung anong subplot ang ginamit ni shakespear and so on." His casual voice makes his words more comprehensive. I smiled. I never met someone as eloquent as him. "So, you've been asked to analyze the characters and how the author constructed them?"
"Ganu'n na nga." I let out a sigh. Pagbaba ko ng tingin napansin ko ang isang illustration board na nakasandal sa shelf. It's a 1/2 size, naka-visible plastic, siguro upang hindi madumihan. "Sa'yo ba 'to?" Walang alinlangan akong lumuhod at sinilip iyon.
"Ah, 'yan?"
A drawing of a man with his dreams on the background. Masiyadong realistic at detalyado. I glance up to him. Hinilot niya ang kaniyang batok at panay ang iwas ng tingin sa akin. Nahihiya ba siya?
"Para sa kaibigan ko 'yan. Nagpa-drawing siya."
"Ikaw ang gumawa?" Tumayo ako bitbit ang illustration. I am amazed. "Ang ganda nito. You have a talent ah." I squinted my eyes trying to tease him. "Pero ang ganda nga." Ngumiti muli ito nang iabot ko sa kaniya ang kaniyang drawing.
"Mas maganda ka."
Hindi agad ako nakatugon. He's probably teasing me back.
"Totoo, maganda ka nga. Mas maganda ka sa personal. May lahi ka ba?"
"Askal." Natawa ito sa tugon ko. I shushed him before we get scolded by the librarian. "Madadamay pa 'ko sa kaingayan mo eh!" mahina at nagpipigil tawang sambit ko.
"Akala ko chimpanzee ka? Cross breed pala!" His face turned red as he laugh quietly.
"Nahiya naman ako sa 'yo."
"Ah, talaga dapat lang na mahiya ka sa 'kin."
"Talaga, ninuno ka namin eh. Homoerectus," I chaffed. We both laugh like a kid trying to hide from our playmates. We found ourselves, who's still a stranger to each other, laughing in between of tall shelves.
We stopped and realize how much fun we are having, too much for a first conversation in personal. Yet, it feels nice to meet someone new. I just hope we get to be friends.
Nagkaroon ng katahimikan sa aming dalawa. Sinasabayan ang katahimikan ng silid-aralan. The books silently rests on their shelves, but it has so much words to keep. Gaya na lamang niya. It seems that he wants to say something, and I can feel that he is holding back.
"I'll see you around. Kailangan ko na 'tong simulan." I waggled my brows to him, while he just nodded at me. I walk towards my spot. I prepared my notebook and pen in case I need to jot something down. Hindi pa man ako nagsisimula, naalala ko muli naging pag-uusap namin at palihim na natawa.