DARA

I am practically dragging my feet to get to my first subject’s room for today. It was only Monday, and my whole week is already ruined. 

I’m still hanging over.
My mother and I had a screaming match earlier over breakfast. 
Then my friends, Hyoni and Chaerin, are going to skip this morning class for some personal reasons. 

Kung hindi lang talaga ako binabantayan ng Uncle ko, I am going to skip this class too! I sat on my usual table where I used to seat with Hyoni and Chaerin last week. It’s only been a week when the semester started pero pakiramdam ko isang taon na agad ang nag daan. 

I was already in a sour mood when someone sat down beside me while I was busy answering an email from my modeling agency. I know that it was Donghae, because he also did it last Friday, nang ma-late si Chaerin. He tried to sit here beside me, so I screamed at his annoying face.

“I told you to stop—“ Napa hinto ako nang makita na hindi naman pala si Donghae yung naka upo sa spot ni Chaerin. 

“I-I’m sorry, o-occupied na b-ba?” 

I was greeted with a handsome guy with a very innocent face staring at me. Parang nahihiya pa nga siya dahil siguro sa tono ng boses ko kanina. 

“Ahm… no, no. Akala ko kasi yung asungot na naman yung umupo dito eh. Sorry.” 

Ngumiti naman siya ng tipid saka tumango.

“I’m Sandara.” Pag papakilala ko. 

I extended my hand in front of him, nag alangan naman siyang hawakan yun pero sa huli ay nakipag shake hands din siya habang binabanggit ang pangalan niya. 

“Ji-Jiyong.”  

Nahihiya lang ba siya or talagang nag s-stammer siya pag nag sasalita? Gusto ko sanang tanungin pero baka ma-awkward siya. Isa pa, hindi rin maganda na mag tanong ng ganun ka personal na bagay sa mga taong kakakilala mo pa lang. 

I may not a nice person most of the times—but I swear! I can be nice and decent too!

“Hindi kita nakita dito last week, kaka-enroll mo lang?” Tanong ko dahil gusto kong marinig ulit kung paano siya mag salita. 

Pero tumango lang siya. 

Come on, speak up! I wanna know if you’re  really stammering, cutie!

“Why? Galing kang ibang course?” 

Umiling naman siya. 

“Jiyong, ang hirap naman sigurong makipag usap kung puro tango at iling lang ang isasagot mo sakin diba? I’m trying to be friendly here.” I said, faking a sigh while pouting. 

“S-sorry, na—nahihiya lang a-ako.” 

I’m right! He’s really stammering!
 

What a coincidence! 

“Why? Because you stammer?” Hinuhuli ko yung mga mata niya dahil kung saan saan ‘yon napupunta, hindi niya kayang makipag eye to eye contact sakin.

“Y-yes.” 

Bigla tuloy akong nalungkot. I remember Sang-Hyun. 

“Well don’t be, because I don’t judge, Jiyong. Stammering is a real speech difficulty, only stupid people will make fun of it.” 

Tinitigan niya lang ako, at sa unang pagkakataon, napag masdan ko ng matagal ang mukha niya. 

He’s really handsome! 

“T-thank you.” May maliit na ngiti sa labi niya kaya hindi ko napigilan na pisilin y