Napailing na lamang ako sainiisip ko  at muling nilingon ang mga babae na kinakausap ni Vien hanggang ngayon. 
Alam ko na. 
I looked back at him again, “Chemistry.” 
His eyes finally glimmer with what I said. 
‘Yon na lang naman ang subject na sobrang nahihirapan ako intindihin eh. Ewan ko ba. Isa pang dahilan ay ang kaguluhan kanina na sa halip na nagre-review ako ay nalilipat ang atensyon ko sa mga naga-away! So, I guess just grab the chance? 
Notes at reviewer lang naman ibibigay niya sa’kin eh, mahihiya pa ba ako? I needed that. 
“Okay na okay sa’kin ‘yan! I will also give you my PreCal reviewer. Ako rin bahala sa’yo as a witness nito kapag nasa office na. Just tell what you saw.” He smiled widely and handed me my bag. 
Kinuha ko iyon at isinakbit na. Medyo nagdadalawang isip pa nga ako kung aalis na. 
“Pero what if--” 
“Ako rin bahala sa’yo even after the case nila kung pag-iinitan ka. Ako ang namilit sa’yo eh. You’re my responsibility now.”  madiin niyang sabi sa akin.
Namula ako dahil sa sinabi niya kaya agad akong tuminin sa ibang direksyon. 
Ang lakas nga rin ng amats niya'no? Akala mo walang posisyon sa paaralan para magsabi ng ganon. Samantalang kung may maka rinig ng sinabi niya paniguradong sasabihan siya na mandaraya at backer ng isang studyante.
What the hell is he doing to me and how?! 
This interaction is too much for my kilig to take. 
Tumango ako sakaniya kahit nasa ibang direksyon ang paningin ko. “S-sige... Just update me when.” 
“Okay, I’ll message you. This week din naman siguro ‘to. I would request it kapag maluwag ang sched natin.” 
I just nodded again to him before letting out a breath and face him. 
“‘Yung sa notes and reviewer...” 
He chuckled and nodded, “Yeah, I will send it to you later.” 
Napa hinga ako ng malalim dahil do’n. Thanks Lord, magiging useful ang pang bribe niya for me. I mean useful naman talaga! Bonus na lamang na may interaksyon kaming dalawa diba? Kahit na ang kapalit nito ay walang kasiguraduhan kung 'di ako mapag treipan ng mga studyanteng nakita ko after magkaharap harap eh.
“Okay then I’ll go ahead.” I said before walking away from him. But then I stopped and look back at him. Nakatingin na siya sa akin. 
“Uh, Santino?” I said softly before I could stop myself. 
He turned his head, “Hmm?” 
“Bakit ako?” 
He blinked. “Ha?” 
“Bakit ako ang gusto mong maging witness? Alam mo naman siguro na ayokong nasasangkot sa gulo.” 
Tahimik siya sandali bago ngumiti ng marahan. “Kasi ikaw ‘yung tahimik. Alam kong hindi mo lalagyan ng kulay ‘yung nakita mo. You’re... honest.” 
Honest. 
Ang simpleng salitang iyon ay parang tumama nang direkta sa puso ko. 
“Ah,” iyon na lang nasabi ko. 
He chuckled and rubbed his nape. “Saka, sabi ni Vien, ikaw daw ‘yung madalas mag-stay dito sa garden area para mag-aral. Kaya ikaw agad ang naisip namin.” 
I nodded slowly. “Okay. Pero... kung pwede, huwag na lang. I’ll pass.” 
He tilted his head. “Bakit naman?” 
“I don’t want attention,” I admitted. “Alam mo namang kapag nadamay ka sa mga ganitong issue, hindi na natatapos.” 
“Yeah, but still... someone has to do the right thing.” 
I bit my lower lip, not knowing what to answer. 
He looked at me for a while before sighing. “Okay, okay. I’ll tell Vien to find someone else.” 
Nakangiti siya pero halatang disappointed. 
Bigla akong nakaramdam ng kirot sa dibdib. Ayokong makita siyang gano’n. 
“Wait,” sabi ko nang hindi ko na napigilan. “If... if you really need a witness, fine. I’ll do it. Pero... one time lang, ha?” 
His eyes lit up, that familiar spark that always drew me in. “Promise. One time lang.” 
“Okay,” I said, crossing my arms para hindi halatang nanginginig ang kamay ko. 
“Salamat, Savanah.” 
My heart skipped. 
He said my name. 
For the first time, he said my name — and it sounded beautiful coming from him. 
Pagkatapos noon ay naglakad na siya palayo, tumatawa pa. Naiwan akong nakatayo lang, hawak ang strap ng bag ko habang ramdam ko pa rin ang bigat ng mga salita niya. 
I just made a deal with Santino Natividad. 
And maybe, this is how my quiet life starts to change. 
He seems cool with our interaction. I mean as he should! Not that I’m expecting him to reciprocate me when in the first place he doesn't know I have feelings for him. Yeah, he doesn’t know you, Savanah. Don’t put your hopes high. 
I took a quick glance to them and saw he was walking back to Vien; they are now talking again. I also glanced with the girls whose stare was already stabbing me, so I just look on my way out. 
This is a trouble. 
Love should be a breather, not bruises.