NOSTALGIA (La Mémoire #1)

XXII

XXII
good

Stav eagerly waited for my answer. His cruel eyes were shadowed with hope as seconds lingered without my response.

Ramdam ko ang paghigpit ng dibdib ko at ang nakabibinging tambol ng aking puso. There was this sudden rush of foreign feelings in me that I could not bring myself to speak.

"Tell me, how do I win you?" He echoed in a low raspy voice.

My lips parted in awe. I was stupefied beyond words. A distant part of me ached for the desperation in him but if I'm being honest, I knew I could not give him what he's asking.

It's too overwhelming. I could not take him for the life of me. I have no exact reasons why not but I just knew it can't happen.

He has told me he liked me before but it was different to this. Right now, he is nothing but sincere and determined.

"I-I don't like you." I stuttered in nervousness.

Anger burned in his deep hooded eyes. His lips were tightly drawn as the corners of his face tensed, as if every bones within them were in the brink of breaking.

"You shouldn't do anything.." Dagdag ko.

"Are you sure you're never going to like me?" He challenged.

I shook my head. He threw me another staggering gaze before he nodded.

"Good luck with that."

He turned away abruptly, leaving me tongue-tied and frozen in my tracks.

"Hindi ko alam na nandito ka pala." Bati ni Lyon kay Stav nang patuluyin ko ito sa silid.

Ni hindi nagbago ang madilim na tingin ng huli. His unfaltering scowl is making him look like he's going to kill by the second. Gusto ko sana itong sawayin sa pag-ignora kay Lyon ngunit maging ako, natatakot sa madilim niyang ekspresyon.

"Y-you brought pizza." I diverted the attention to the boxes of pizza that Lyon has brought.

"Oo. It's your favorite. Naglunch ka na ba?"

"Hindi pa. I ordered food. Parating na rin iyon. Would you like some coffee?"

"Sure."

Tinungo ko ang pantry kung saan kaiinom lang ng tubig ni Stav. Hinalughog ko iyon ngunit puro bottled water lang ang na sa katabing fridge.

"Wala ba tayong instant coffee?" Kabado kong nilingon si Stav na pinanood akong maghanap ng kape sa mga cabinet.

"Tayo?" Ulit niya.

Napalunok ako. What is he trying to imply?

"I mean, ikaw--"

"It's not my house."

"So wala nga?"

"Tayo? Wala."

I gritted my teeth. Hindi talaga makausap ng maayos.

Nilingon ko ito. He still had the glass of water in hand, and he took another sip without taking his eyes off me. It's as if he purposely spilled them on his sinful lips only to run his tongue on the sparkling liquid beneath them.