From The Bottom of My Hypothalamus

Chapter 04

"Cara..." He calls for me in a soft-spoken manner.

"Let's eat, okay? Do you still have any other classes in the afternoon?" Tanong niya sa akin.

Tumango naman ako, "Mamaya pang alas dos."

"I see. That's in two hours, we have to maximize our time." Sambit niya habang ibinabalik sa kaniyang bag ang notebook, ballpen, at lapis na kinuha niya kanina.

"Ikaw? Wala ka bang klase?"

He shook his head.

"Wala naman na pala, eh. Ba't hindi ka pa umuuwi?" Mahinahon kong tanong na halos pabulong dahil naalala kong nasa loob nga pala kami ng library.

"I sensed a froshie desperately needing help for her major subject." He laughed.

Ah, talaga? Nagagawa na niya akong asarin ngayon! At mas lalo akong naaasar dahil kahit 'yung mga pang-aasar niya ay english!

"Froshie amp." I scoffed, obviously irritated.

He laughed at that, "I'm sorry, I won't tease you again."

"Let's fix your things, Cara, then we'll go ahead and eat." He continued.

Tumango na lang ako. We both stood up at tinulungan niya rin ako sa pag-aayos ng gamit ko kahit na sinabihan ko siya na hindi naman kailangan, pero makulit siya.

I zipped my bag, and was about to wear it... pero bigla na lang itong kinuha ni Melo.

"Got you, Cara. Lead the way."

Na-estatwa ako sa harapan niya. Suot niya ang kaniyang backpack, habang ang tote bag ko naman ay nakasabit sa may balikat niya.

"Melo... bag ko 'yan." I said as I tried to get my bag back from him.

He gently dodged me, shaking his head.

"I'm aware, Cara. Let's get out of here and grab some lunch, okay?"

Sa huli ay wala akong nagawa kun'di hayaan siyang suotin at bitbitin ang bag ko. Kanina pa akong nagpupumilit sa kaniya na ibigay na niya ulit sa akin dahil may kabigatan 'yung bag ko, pero ayaw niya talaga.

I appreciate the gesture, I really do, and it really warms my heart to know that he's willing to do such a thing for me. Pero siyempre, nakakahiya pa rin, 'no! Baka isipin pa ng ibang tao... pinagdadala ko ang second year representative ng bag ko, o kaya ay isipin nila na masyado akong pabebe!

Melo snapped his finger in front of me, which then brought me back to reality.

I sat upright and grabbed my spoon, "Sorry..."

"Are you okay?" Tanong niya.

Tumango lang ako at kinain ang pagkaing nasa kutsara ko.

"You know," he lifted his spoon with a soft-boiled egg on it, "I really don't care what other people would think." He continued, placing the soft-boiled egg on the side of my plate.

"H-Huh?"

Gulong-gulo ako sa sinasabi niya, at mas lalo lang din akong naguluhan dahil ang random ng pagkakabigay niya sa akin ng itlog! Ewan ko ba rito, hindi ko alam kung kalalaro niya ba 'to ng table tennis o kaaaral niya.

"Just saying." He lets out a laugh.

"And oh, soft-boiled eggs are a good source of protein." Pagpapatuloy niya.

Okay? Natatawa na lang ako dahil ang random pala niyang tao.

"Why are you laughing?"

Nagtanong pa talaga.