I MARRIED WITH THE STRANGER

sp

so soft, my pillow is so soft. It feels like I'm sleeping on a cloud.

of the alarm clock blared. This dar

e table to shut it off. I heard a crack, but I didn't see what it

h my mouth open. This time, there was none. I got up and faced the mirror to check for any ey

laimed when I saw

remember. But it's okay, the important thing is that I made it home. It's a good t

s

to eat. Then I left the house and looked for a tricycle to t

y classmates in a commotion, which meant we didn't have a teacher yet. I spotted Reina i

hing we don't have a teacher today. I migh

r friends were occupied with their own things, so I had no one to talk to. They were

announced our class pre

r a moment, our teacher entered the room. He was followed by a han

e. He seemed familiar to me. Maybe I saw him before.

st friend. "Check out th

some!" she said with a smile. Her eyes sparkle

jaw-droppin

This is Casper." Our teacher pointed to the guy. "He will be your new classma

he greeted everyone. "My name is Casper Friedrichsen. I'm an exchange student from

o breathtakin

ndsomeness. Literally, we were all just gaping. Who wouldn't gape when a god

for quite some time, that he was smiling because I was gawking at him. I quickly looked away in embarrassment. But maybe he'll think there's something weird

ydreamer. Why was I smiling at this han

really de

d like to sit, and to my surprise,

put my bag now that

ould sit next to them instead. I, on the other hand, remained qui

e. I looked at my black shoes, which had a bit of dus

how

ill smiling as I turn to see who it

r greets wi

st glance at him an

ered after a few minutes. He's looking in another direction, so I take the opportunity to look at his handsome face.

re facing me. Once again, I avert my gaze. I op

closer. "Hi,"

ervously, and it almost

Casper, may

rsation because I'm not comfortable talking to him in Engl

my eyes, I notice

t feels like I'm getting an elect

er asks again. "Am I makin

e. I don't want to tell him the truth because he might think s

" How do I continue? "I don't

, I didn't know that you don't want me to sit next

f. "Do you know how to speak Tagalog? I don't speak English very well. My nose is already bleeding."

ny nose and clogged nose

I repl

lking to him, as if I've

ll overcast, and the drizzle hasn't stopped. Why is it like this? The ra

exted," she says before handing me

ere outside the gate, where are you?

es my cheek before walking away. "Take car

next. "Hi, Rica, what

" I grab my bag because I'

but Casper stops m

iend?" he asks wi

ike my nose is about t

u have a boyfrien

aiting. He's our neighbor, and my mom asked him to pick me up from school. Lito is already old,

hears him. "He looks old. Do you like old guys?" he adds. "

ar him. "You idiot, Casper. Don't be so

him?" he as

respon

tell me you

't answer right away because I'm still tryi

n his eyes. He se

I don't l

t up. He was back to hi

is not my boyfriend, he i

sper asks,

sh word for 'sundo' (so

e in the afternoon. And he... he-" What's the English word for 'hatid'? Oh well, let'

livers

Jollibee

a gorgeous smile. My knees almost turn to j

. "Look, Casper, it's getting late. So, I want to go hom

e ago. My thirst is just as strong. I ate

. He opens it and pulls out a black bottle. "Drink this," he in

ood that it feels like I downed it all in one gulp. Beca

our drink. What is th

tell you what it is tomorrow," he says.

ve of sadness washes over me when he disappears from my side. He turns back to where I a

e's doing, so I give

your lips," he says w

k of my hand against my lips

ooks like he's about to kiss me, or maybe that's j

m going." He wa

g, imagining that Casper is going to kiss me?