Chapter 2

"Alliah, akin na iyang papel mo. Palitan daw..." Jireh gets my answer sheet and gives me his own. I rolled my eyes. I can't help but do that every time I see him. Like, he's a plain bad view in my sight.

"Yeah, right, doon ka naman magaling. Sa palitan..." I murmured while checking his paper when all I wanted to do was cross out all of his answers and tear it. Suddenly, our attention went to the door when someone knocked. Professor opened it and got the folder from someone who I still could not see. "Transferee? Again? Why are you all transferring at the end of the year? Come in."

Titingnan ko na sana iyong transferee nang tanungin akong muli ni Jireh tungkol sa papel niya. Bakit ba kasi katabi ko itong nilalang na ito?

"Ilan ang mali ko?" he asked.

Again, I rolled my eyes. "Sigurado kang tinatanong mo sa akin ang mali mo?"

Tumango siya na para bang inosente sa lahat ng kamaliang ginawa niya sa akin. Tsk. Maang-maangan pa.

"Isa!" sigaw ko na sapat lang para marinig naming dalawa.

"Talaga? Lemme see!" I was about to throw his paper on his face when my eyes went all over to that handsome transferee guy in front of us.

"Good morning, everyone. I am Elton Zavalla. I am 21 years old, and I am your Mr. Right."

I don't know if it was just me who imagined him saying that last line. He's looking at me, and I can't stop smiling. Gosh, am I in heaven? Why am I seeing such an angel in this place?

My jaw dropped, and my eyes followed him while he was walking to his chair at the back of mine. Oh my! Nakatingin ba siya sa buhok ko? Maganda ba? Nakapagsuklay ba ako kanina? Wait, gusto kong malaman kung maayos ba ang itsura ng buhok ko! Nakakahiya!

***

"Girl, nakikinig ka ba?"

"Yeah."

"Talaga? Sabihin mo nga kung anong iyong mga sinabi ko." Carol crossed her arms like we were in a police station and interrogated me for telling lies.

I smiled, showing my defeat. "What is it again, Carol?"

"Kalimutan mo na! Wala ka na naman sa sarili mo! Huwag mong sabihing iniisip mo 'yong ex-boyfriend mo?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "No way!" Umiling ako at saka ngumiti nang pagkalapad nang maalala ko kung sino ang iniisip ko. "Alam mo Carol, sa tingin ko, nahanap ko na siya."

"Siya? Sinong siya?" She seems confused.

"My Mr. Right." Nakita ko kung paano nag-iba ang itsura niya. Binigyan niya ako ng pambihirang tingin. 

"Ano? Saan? Kailan? Paano?" sunod-sunod niyang tanong na hindi man lang ako binigyan ng pagkakataong sumagot. "Anong ibig mong sabihing nahanap mo na ‘yung Mr. Right mo? What the hell are you talking about? We were just talking about that this morning, and yet you immediately found him."

"Ano kasi… ‘yung gwapong transferee sa likod ko. Siya si Mr. Right," bulong ko. Tumingin siya sa likod ko bago kumunot ang noo.

I rolled my eyes. "I mean, in our class, Carol, the handsome transferee guy," I shyly respond by talking about that angelic guy who transferred to our class a while ago. She was shocked and speechless for a couple of seconds. "You mean Elton Zaval—?"

Tinakpan ko ang bibig niya bago siya makapagsalita ng mga kahihiyan. "Seryoso ka ba d'yan?" she blurted out in disbelief.

"I am. Believe me, it was my instinct. The moment I saw him enter the class, I knew he was the one," I snapped.

"You fucked up, Alliah. Kailangan mo nang dalhin sa mental hospital, I mean right now,” she grimaced.

"I'm not kidding. It must be love at first sight, Carol."

She's tapping my shoulder while nodding. "Baliw ka na at assuming. Siguro naisip mo iyan dahil nakita mo siyang palagi kang tinitingnan kanina pero wala iyong ibig sabihin, Alliah. He may find you attractive, but that doesn't mean he wants to date you or something. He may be the type who will only make you fall for him and then leave you. We are surrounded by playboys right now sa mundo. Hindi mo ba nakikita? Remember about your great ex-boyfriend."

"Aware naman ako roon, but boys are not all the same. I mean, there are boys, there are guys, and there are men. Maybe Elton is different. You said it, he's looking at me. Maybe he's interested in me. What if it's also love at first sight?" I was full of hope. I don't know. Every time I remember his face, I can't stop smiling.

"Honestly, Alliah, matalino ka pero bobo ka sa mga ganitong bagay. I swear I know how your mind works. Alam mo? Kumain na lang tayo!"

She clings her arm to mine, and we both go to the cafeteria to have some lunch. Magbabayad na sana ako nang hindi ko nakita ang wallet ko. Tiningnan ko rin ang bulsa ko, pero wala rin ito rito.

"Nawawala ko." 

Carol saw me panicking. "What? Ano na naman ang nawala mo?"

"Nawawala iyong wallet ko."