Chapter 5

"Bye Eline! See you tomorrow!" Gia exclaimed when I was about to leave the art room.

I stop walking and my gaze turns at her. I smile when I saw her waving her hand at me with a big friendly smile plastered on her lips.

"See you tomorrow" I mouthed and also wave my hand.

I slightly giggle when Axel, Gia's boyfriend gives me a salute teasing me. I shake my head and finally left the room. For almost a month of studying here at Velonzon University, I only have two friends that I really get along with- and that is Gia and Axel. Time really flies fast, hindi ko man lang namalayan na medyo matagal na rin simula nang dumating ako dito sa Tierra Veloz.

Everything change, most students here in Velonzon are aloof with me which I don't know why. Some students tried to approach me, but whenever I introduce myself to them they suddenly become distant or they suddenly become awkward to me which is really odd. Good thing Gia and Axel are different, they were fun to be with and they help me to adjust to my new surrounding. We're actually in the same club.

I mentally laugh at that thoughts and I stop when I notice the gloomy weather. It's already 6 o'clock in the afternoon but the sky is still has a hint of bright light came from the setting sun making the dark heavy clouds visible in the bare eyes.

"I must go home before 7" I mumble to myself and pulled my phone inside the pocket of my skirt uniform.

Wala pa si Kuya Tobias, dapat andito na siya sa mga ganitong oras. He's aware of my curfew. I wonder where is he.

Biting my lower lip I hesitantly call Kuya Tobias number. After three rings, he finally answers the call that made me sigh in relief.

"Eline, hija" he greeted me with a different tone of voice.

I lick my lower lip with nervousness "Where are you na po? My meeting for today is already finished, and andito na po ako sa labas" I hesitantly query roaming my eyes around.

Ayoko naman maging tunog pala utos.

"Pasensya ka na Eline, nasa talyer ako ni Badong ngayon dahil nasira ang gulong ng kotse" he apologetically replied.

I bit my bottom lip because of what he said "Where is Nana Rita po?" I ask.

Paano ako uuwi?

"Hindi sumama, kaya mo ba pumunta dito?" He queries "Medyo matatagalan yata ako na masundo ka"

"But..." I didn't finish my sentence and just sigh.

Daddy will surely get mad at me if ever he found out that I went home late no matter what the reason is. I check my wristwatch and took a deep breath.

"Pasensya ka na hija, ako na lang mag papaliwanag kay Señor Geronimo mamaya" he apologizes.

I shook my head and my lips stretch into a smile. I don't think he can persuade Dad. I know my father better than anyone else. He doesn't accept any excuses, once you break his rules then you break it. Although your reason is valid, still you break the rules.

I sigh...

"That's alright Kuya Tobias. I will try to commute na lang po so you don't have to pick me up" I told him and I start walking towards the gate.

"Kaya mo ba hija? Ipapasundo kita sa Yaya Rita mo" nag aalala nitong sabi.

I stop walking and shake my head as if he can see me "No need Kuya Tobias, I can manage na po. I will ask my friend to accompany me, so don't worry" I assure him although that was just a lie.

Sino pa nga bang matatanungan ko?

"Pero mag iingat ka hija, mag text ka sa akin kapag nakauwi ka na" he reminded me.

"Yes po," I replied politely before I end the call.

I'm now standing outside the gate thinking what to do. I honestly don't have any idea how to go home. And I'm so stupid thinking that I can manage myself alone. I pouted my lips and sigh again.

"Sa susunod ulit pre,"

"Gago! Ayoko ng gulo,"

Napalingon naman agad ako when I heard a sound of laughter not so far away from where I'm standing. I saw a guy wearing casual shorts and a white shirt. He's holding a familiar sports jacket uniform from the University Of Capitol, the rival school of Velonzon University while talking to the guy who's driving a red vios car.

"Mga ulol kasi yun, basta sa susunod pre"

"Tangina mo, bahala ka na"

"Gago, wala namang ganyanan"

I frown at their conversation. I don't how they manage to do that. They were like a cussing machine. Good thing my brothers are not like that.

I scratch my neck when I heard their loud laugh again. They seem having fun with their conversation. I look away and just busy myself looking around. I waited for a couple of minutes before the car finally left leaving the guy alone.

Without a second thought, I walk towards him. There's no harm in asking naman diba? I would rather choose to ask a stranger than to wait here and do nothing.

"Excuse me," I said politely.

I step back when the guy turns around and looks at me with a light crease on his forehead. I suddenly feel alarmed when I notice how tall he is. His tall powerful frame towered me and I really look so small compared to him.

I step back again and the light creased on his forehead disappear when he saw what I did. I saw a sudden change in his expression, but it was too quick for me to name it.

"Pasensya na, ano nga yun?" He asks casually while scratching his nape.

The nervousness I felt instantly disappear hearing how casual the tone of his voice. A smile forms on my lips as I look at him.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, but do you know kung anong pwedeng sakyan papuntang-" I paused and tilt my head when I realize that I didn't know the address of my father's house.

"Papuntang?" He queries with a small playful smile on his lips waiting for me to continue my sentence.

I press my lips together suddenly become speechless. I creased my forehead and bit my bottom lip.

"I am not quite sure if you know- but do you know hacienda Dela Huerta?" I sound desperate while intently looking at him.

Surprisingly, the corner of his lips rose a bit, and a boyish smile form on his lips. There was this mischievous glint in his eyes that made me tilt my head.

May nasabi ba akong nakakatawa aside from my tagalog words?

"Dela Huerta nga..." He murmured and nod his head crossing his arms.

My eyes widened and my smile widened afterward when I realize what he said.

"So you know?" masaya kong sabi.

"Sino nga bang hindi ka nakakakilala sa mga Dela Huerta?" He stated and shake his head na para bang sinasabi sa akin na hindi na kailangan itanong pa ang bagay na yun.

"So... anong pwede kong sakyan?" I query, trying my best to make my tagalog sound natural and steady even just this time.

His boyish grin widened while he looks at me with amusement in his eyes kaya napalabi ako. I think I should stop trying to make my tagalog sound natural- dahil hindi marunong makisama ang dila ko.

"Traysikel" he suddenly said while smirking.

My forehead creased flaunting the confusion on my face. Is that the three-wheeled vehicle?

He pointed something on the other side of the road kaya naman napunta doon ang tingin ko. And there I saw the vehicle that I used to see since I came here to Tierra Veloz. It is a three-wheel vehicle

"Hindi ka marunong"

It was not a question, it a statement that made me turn my gaze back at him.

His boyish grin is still on his lips while his left hand is on the left side of his waist. I notice the single earring on his right ear that complement his badass look.

I creased my forehead when he suddenly feels familiar although I don't know him. I mentally shrugged off my shoulder and turn my gaze at the tricycle again.

"Safe naman siguro" I mumble to myself.

I haven't try na sumakay on that three-wheeled vehicle that is propelled by motor, although it is the public transportation here in Tierra Veloz- lagi naman kasi akong sinusundo ni Kuya Tobias.

"Siguro..." he hummed with a hint of playfulness kaya nabalik ulit sa kanya ang tingin ko.

The mischievous glint in his eyes is still visible including his teasing smirk. He's obviously making fun of me, and I honestly wanted to roll my eyes right now- but of course hindi ko ginawa dahil maayos niya namang sinagot ang tanong ko kaya ayokong maging bastos sa kanya. Besides, I was not taught to be rude to others especially to someone who gives me a favor.

"Thank you," I said with a genuine smile on my face.

I was about to send a message to Kuya Tobias when the guy beside me laugh kaya na palingon ako dito na nakakunot ang noo.

"Tangina! Naniwala ka talaga sa akin?" He said between his laughter.

My brows furrowed and innocently look at him.

"Huh?" I confusingly utter "What do you mean?"

Nag loloko lang ba siya? I mean, aside from that tricycle- wala na akong nakita na iba pang pwede masakyan at this hour. As I said, that three-wheeled vehicle propelled by the motor is the most popular means of transportation here. So therefore I conclude na nag sasabi naman siya nang totoo.

"Alam kong gwapo ako" he arrogantly remarks "Pero iba naman ang mukha ng gwapo sa mukha ng mabait. Hindi naman ako mukhang mabait, Binibini"