Embracing the Troublemaker

Chapter Fifteen

Jael's Point of View

Kakatapos lang ng practice namin para sa sportfest. Ako lang ang nakapag practice dahil may practice pa si Elkayne sa basketball pero mamaya may practice pa ako na kasama naman sya. Ngayon, tinutulungan ko na yung mga kaklase ko na mag decorate ng stage. Naka toka kase saamin ang pag decorate dito para bukas, medyo gahol na kaya nag offer na akong tulungan sila kahit medyo pagod at nakaka ramdam na nang gutom.

I wiped the sweat from my forehead as I lifted another box of decorations to the stage. I was so exhausted. My hair was a mess, I didn't have a tie to secure my hair. Sana pala nag dala ako ng kahit goma pang tali nang buhok to keep it out of my face. Despite the heat, my heart raced with excitement.

"Hey, could you grab some more decorations from the back of the gym?" my classmate asked, pulling me from my thoughts. I nodded, wiping my forehead again with the back of my hand and made my way towards the storage area.

"Ano ba 'yan wala na pang tali, wala pang panyo." Bulong ko sa sarili ko. Sa haba ng buhok ko, para akong niyayakap ng apoy sa init. I hoped there weren't too many left because I was running out of energy. Nanunuyo na yung lalamunan ko sa init ng panahon.

As i reached for another box of decoration and a pile of banners, I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder. I turned around and saw Ross standing behind me. He was holding a paper bag in his hand and he extended it to me.

"What's this?" I asked, genuinely surprised.

I saw him secretely rolled his eyes. Natawa ako nang bahagya, pakiramdam ko pinipigilan lang ni Ross sarili nya na barahin ako sa nakaka tanga kong tanong.

Naalala ko tuloy yung mga nangyare kahapon, pag tapos ng moment namin sa c.r nag hilamos lang sya at umalis ng building, hindi na sya bumalik sa room pag tapos 'non kaya nag taka sila Cypress at Ivy pero hindi ko na brining up pa sakanila yung mga nangyare, kung hindi pinapakita ni Ross yung ganoon, wala akong karapatan na mag salita tungkol sa nakita ko at hindi rin siguro nya gusto na may nakaka alam na iba. Hindi naman nya itatago 'yon kung hindi, diba? I wonder if alam din ba ng tatlo nyang kaibigan yung tungkol doon.

Nung nakita ko sya kaninang umaga he acts like nothing happened, nang aasar na ulit sya at hindi na visible yung mga pasa nito sa mukha at braso, that's the moment I realized na ayaw nya nga itong ipakita sa iba, kahit siguro ako, wala sa plano nya na mapakita sakin 'yon. Hindi ko na rin binalik pa sakanya yung nangyare, kahit na punong-puno ako ng kuryusidad, gusto kong respetuhin yung privacy nya. I just asked if he's okay and sabi nya okay lang ito at humingi ulit ng tawad, but still, his eyes speaks louder than his words. Kita ko ang lungkot sa mata n'ya.

"I always saw you struggling with your hair," Ross explained with a half smile. "And i thought of you when I saw this, so I bought it for you." marahan kong kinuha ang hawak nyang kahon.

I took the paper box from him and opened it. I looked at him and confused. Inside, there were various hair accessories. Clamps, clips and hair ribbon. 

"Why did you buy these for me?" I asked.

"I thought they would look good on you," he said, shrugging. "You have a beautiful hair pero laging naka lugay kaya nung nakita ko 'yan, sabi ko, I want to see you in different styles."

Parang umakyat lahat ng dugo ko sa pisnge at bumilis ang pag tibok ng puso ko. He had noticed my hair. He thought it was beautiful. He wanted to see me in different styles. Damn.

"Thank you," I managed to say, feeling flustered. Ross smiled more. His lips curved in a charming way.

"Do you want to try one?" he asked, pointing to the box.