"You... want to eat?... My treat.." I immediately followed the 'My treat' part.

Not being a judgmental person but based on his uniform which is his polo that is supposed to be white is now a cream color and his pants is a bit discoloring. So he might not have a money to eat.

"Huh? No need...I'm fine." He replied, my brows furrowed.. he knows how to speak English?

"No, I insist.. let's go." I said pointing at the cafe.. he once again shyly smiled and scratch the back of his head.

Gosh Laura! I cant believe you're asking a guy out! Or is it even like that?

But it's like I'm asking him to have a date with me!

"Sure.. thanks in advance." He said and I smiled getting back inside.

Gladly I picked a table which have two seats so he can seat in front of me. I removed my bag in the other chair so he can sit down on it.

"Waiter," I called, the same girl approach me, I saw how she's a bit shocked to see the boy who's just begging at them a while ago. I wonder why.

"What do you want?" I asked him, he looked at me with surprised eyes before waving his hands in front of his face.

"You choose.. it's your treat after all." He said and I nodded.

"I'll have an additional Lasagna, then cheese burger and a pineapples juice I said giving back the waiters the menu. She excused herself leaving us two.

We became silent for few moments until I finally have the courage to speak.

"So.. what's your name?" I asked, he fix his posture and I heard him clear his throat

"Jiro Oliver Engrasio." He replied offering his hands

"Laura Kassandra Milendez." I replied and hesitantly accept his hands.

"I'm a scholar at Tagkawayan National High School" He said and I nodded.

"Oh.. that's why you speak English, by the way I study at Our Lady Of Lourdes Academy, OLLA for short." I replied, we got awkward for the second time..

"Uhm, may I ask why are you talking to the manager a while ago?" I hesitantly asked,

"I was asking the manager if I can apply as a waiter or just a janitor. Any job will do as long as it's decent and I earn money." He said and I nodded being a little confused.

"May I ask why?" I asked smiling a bit..

"It okay if you-

"No it's fine.." He cut me off smiling which make me smile as well.

"I'm searching for a job because I'm basically a poor ass boy. Who live under the bridge and the thing they call 'isang kahig,isang tuka'" My jaw dropped not believing what he is saying..

"But you speak So fluently in English." I complimented.

"Thanks I guess.. it's just. I really study hard to achieve my dream. And for not to lose my scholarship which is my only key to study. My lola can't work at all, she's just.. so old to work. I don't even know if she's still there when I achieve my dream." He sadly said making me feel bad for asking him.

"Told you, you don't have to answer that.." I said lighting up the mood.

I'm not really good at social thingy. I'm more on being an introvert like Gwen and Lory I guess. If I'm just like Ali who basically thinks a lot of topics to talk about. We're probably not awkward with each other now.

"Tell me about yourself now.." He said and I snapped out of my thoughts. I bit my lower lip and started thinking.

"Well, I'm basically a normal person as well, just an introvert.." I said and he chuckled.

"You forgot to mention you're rich.." He said and my brows furrowed.

"What? No! I'm not rich." I said and he chuckled.

"If you're not rich, then why are you wearing that Rolex? Isn't Rolex expensive? I only hear that about my classmates but I haven't really seen one, except now." He said pointing at my wrist watch.

"Okay I might be, but not so rich." I said and he raised his eyebrows.

"Not so rich but uses a Supreme backpack for school?" I looked at my side where my bag is located.

"It's from my mom.."I said

"Then you're rich.." He said and I give up.

"Fine, I am.. but I'm still a normal person." I said,

"Did I say you're not?" He asked, I look away being done with his comebacks.

"Ugh! You're a bit...-

"Annoying?" He asked and I shook my head..

"I can't say it tho I'm a little annoyed by it.." I said and he laughed.

"It's because I'm annoying that's why you're annoyed." He said and I nod.

"Yeah.. whatever." I said and he laughed at me for the nth time.

He just love laughing.And I'm not complaining about it.

"Ugh! Maybe a bit annoying.." I confessed and he chuckled. It's just a chuckle but it hit so different.

It's sounds... sexy.

"By the way, how old are you?" I asked clasping my fingers together then put my chin on it.

"17," he answered and I nodded.

"Well, I'm just 16, you're a year older than me.." I said and he nodded..

I was about to say something when our orders came up. We thanked the waitress the start eating.

"Why did you just order a cake? Then this to me? I feel bad you know.." He said with his eyebrows lower a little. I smiled and shook my head.

"No it's finec I really don't feel like eating right now.." I said and he nodded before taking a bite of the Lasagna.

He moaned "This taste good, what do you call this by the way?" He whispered and I chuckle a bit..

"Don't laugh I really don't know this.." He said seriously so I had to stop.

"It's called Lasagna.." I replied and he nodded..

"It's spells L-A-S-A-G-N-A right?" He asked and I nodded..

Then my brows furrowed "Wait, how come you know the spelling but you don't know what really is Lasagna.." I said, he chuckled and cover his mouth with his hands while he munch the food.

He swallowed it and use the tissue to wipe the side of his lips...

"I've had some interaction with that word in school, but this is the first time I tasted it." He replied and I nodded..

We went silent for few minutes. Until I stopped eating small bites of my cake. I'm actually watching him eat. For a boy who live under a bridge and in poverty.  LI can say he have table manners. And he's decent. He's not like those other boys who would cat call you while you pass by them.

In short, hindi siya bastos. And even hindi maayos yung suot niya na damit, he still looks clean. Hindi mo nga siya mapagkakamalan na nakatira sa ilalim ng tulay.

"Is speaking in English okay to you? Cause we can speak in Tagalog naman if you want.." I said, he snap his head up which I find cute. He looked at me with doe eyes making me look away and purse my lips. Because if I don't, I'll probably blush.

"Uhm, to be honest, it's up to you. I can speak both." He said and I nodded, I faced him once again..

"I want to hear your voice speaking in Tagalog, cause I think it will sound different from your English voice.." I said and his brows furrowed.

"How come? It's still me who's speaking." Hesaid and I shook my head..

"Go on, speak Tagalog.. I'm curious." I said signaling him to go.

He chuckled and fix his hair a bit since it's getting on his eyes.

"Well, kumusta? Hahaha..ang weird nito. Pero sa bahay namin ni lola siyempre Tagalog ginagamit namin."

Can you fall in love with someone just because of their voice?

Cause basically, that voice is different! It hits different! His English voice is sexy, I admit! But His Tagalog voice hits different.

"Hoy! Bakit ka natutulala? Naiintindihan mo ba ako? Baka naman ikaw ang hindi makapag salita ng Tagalog sa ating dalawa.." He said waving his hand in front of my face.

My eyes immediately widened and I shake my head.

"What? Hindi ah! Kaya ko magsalita ng Tagalog,nrinig mo?"nI said pointing at my lips.

"Hayst! Sige na, kainin mo na 'yang cake mo." He said and pointed the cake in front of me. I nodded my head and took a bigger bite of the cake.

"Laura.." I was beyond shock the moment he called my name. Tho he didn't notice it and took a tissue then suddenly, he lean closer to wipe the side of my lips.

"Ang cute mo kanina, para kang batang may amos." He said while folding the tissue laughing a bit.

I got flattered. I slowly chew the cake looking at the other side.

Why does he hit so different?  I have never been flattered before or even have this different chills when I'm facing a boy. I don't even know what it feels to have that 'kilig' thing they call.

But whenever I see his smile. It just felt so right. My face would immediately heat up whenever he would smile or look into my eyes.

Ito na ba 'yung sinasabi ni Ali na marupok? Marupok na rin ba ako? Talaga  bang nakakahawa ang pagiging marupok? If yes, I'm sure si Ali ang nakahawa sakin.

And is this also the love at first sight? Cause basically I was mesmerized by his face the moment I saw his face a while ago.

Love?! Love agad?! We just met, a while ago. How come I fall in love already?! I'm confused!

"Jiro," I called his name, he looked into my eyes and smile.

"Bakit?" He asked still have the smile.

"Yung lola mo? May kakainin na ba siya?" I asked, I saw his expression dropped.

"Iisipin ko pa 'yan mamaya, baka manghingi na lang ako ng mga tira-tira sa karindirya. Or itong burger. Hindi ko nalang kakainin." He said pushing the burger away from him.

I look at him with pity..

"Eat it, ipag oorder ko nalang ulit-

"Hindi na Laura, sobra-sobra na 'to. Hindi ko na alam kung pano kita babayaran." He cut me off. Eating the remaining lasagna he have on his plate.

"Jiro, kainin mo na. I'll just order for you lola, okay?And don't think about paying it, it's free." I said smiling, he once again looked up looking straight to my eyes.

"Say something Laura, just a thing I need to do to at least to pay you.." He said,my eyes widened a bit as I saw his eyes getting watery.

"D-Do you have a cellphone number?" I asked..his eyes widened and started searching to his pockets.

"Here.." He handed me a phone, a small keypad phone. I reach for it and forced a smile, I pressed the largest button. Then it opened, then I pressed it again.

Wait, what should I press?

"H-How can I open this?" I asked showing him the screen.

"Here, wait." He said standing up and going to my side. I froze the moment I realized how our faces were inches apart. I tensed up as his hands touched mine that is holding the phone.

"There, I know you're not used to it, someone from the old talyer I'm working gave that to me.." He said smiling and I smiled back. He walked towards his seat again and I can feel he's watching me.

I grab my phone and put his phone number to my phone and put my number to his phone.

I gave him the phone back

"I'll text you okay? If I ever need something, in that way you can pay me,okay?" I asked and he nodded

"Now eat that burger, and I'll order for you lola." I said and he nodded, pulling the burger closer to him.

I once again called the waitress and ordered some spaghetti and the same burger that Jiro is eating right now.

When I finished ordering, I looked back at him. I got startled when I saw he's already looking at me. His face leaning on his hands

"Sino susundo sayo?" He asked, i froze a bit when I thought about that.

Dad still haven't texted me if nasa bahay na siya. My service is probably at his house by now.

So it means I need to go home alone?

"No one.." I mumbled..

"Wait.. did you say no one? Its getting dark Laura, it's not good if you will go home alone." He said as if he is scolding me..

"I know.. it's just.-

"Ihahatid kita, para malaman ko na rin bahay mo. Don't worry, I may be a poor ass but I don't rob, okay?" He joked and we both laugh.

"Fine, but I want you to know that I'll be walking.." I said and I saw how his brows furrowed

"Huh? Why? Why not commute?" He asked and I shook my head.

"I'm.. I'm scared commuting. I'm scared that they will take me to other places or kidnap me" I confessed a bit shy about that thought.

I'm fine if I'm with my friends because they always ask the driver to take me home first. But when I'm alone, I get so nervous that the route will be different.

"Okay.. I understand, I wish next time we can take the tricycle." I said and my brows furrowed.

"Wait? Next time?" I confusedly asked, he looked at me with eyes and smile.

"Never mind, forget about it. I'm sure this will be the last.." He said and look away. My brows furrowed and chuckled a bit.

He's  cute.

Wait what?

"Take out for Ms.Laura." The waitress said and I thanked her, she handed me the bill which I didn't mind looking I just gave a one thousand since I think what we ate and what I ordered is not that expensive to reach a thousand.

The waitress return with my change. Jiro picked up the paper bag that contains the food with his right hand while his bag with his other hand. We leave the cafe and started walking.

"So you live closer to SLSU but you chose to study at OLLA?" He asked while we were walking. I kept silent and nod.

"Weird, but I won't ask why..it's your business.." He said and I nodded.

"You're kinda making me feel bad for asking questions a while ago.." I mumbled, I felt him stopped walking so I stopped as well then look at him.

"Nah, you're not, I know you're just curious." He said and I nodded.. we started walking again.

I can't stop gazing at his ripped bag. He looked like he's suffering while in his other hand is the paper bag and the other one is his bag. I pursed my lips and tap his shoulders.

"I can carry the paper bag if you want, I'll just give you an eco bag pag dating sa bahay.." I offer, he looked at me and scrunch his nose a bit.

"Nah, I'm fine.. you don't have to. You have your own bag so I don't want you to be uncomfortable." He replied and I nodded..

"You sure?" I asked and he chuckled.

"Yes, now let's walk na, it's getting dark." He said and I nodded..

We pass by a house with plenty of dogs. I tensed up the moment a dog barked at me. Followed by the other dogs. As I step back the dog would step forwards making me freeze at my spot.

"Jiro!" Iscreamed getting scared by the dog. Jiro went to my side and whispered.

"Go pick a rock.." He said, I looked at him confused but immediately pick out a random rock from the ground.

"Now spit.." My brows furrowed and looked at him..

"What? Where?" I asked confused..

"To the ground.. just spit." H said and I nodded, gathering some saliva inside my mouth before spitting it out. The dog followed my spit with his gaze before going inside the gate.

My eyes widened.

"How did you know  that it will work?" I asked confused.. he shrug his shoulders and started walking again.

Finally! We arrive in front of our house. I face Jiro and smiled.

"Thank you for sending me home.." I said and he replied with his beautiful smile.

"No, thank you for letting me have a meal this day.." My eyes widened.

"Wait! That was your first meal?!" I asked almost screaming it.

He startled laughing "Just kidding, no it wasn't, I had breakfast." He said and I nodded.

"Okay.. I'll go na." I said pointing at my house.

"Ingat pag uwi, see you next time.. Jiro." I said before fully entering the gates. I sigh and lean on the gate as I closed it. I hear his footstep walking away.

I walked inside the house ready to greet lola. Only to see my dad, his arms are crossed and leaning on the wall.

"Where were you, Laura Kassandra?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•3•