Ludic Selcouth #3: Dancing Keys

Key #17

It was the kind of hug that gave me warmth and comfort. We were at the side road, infront of the two ruined cars and under the sunlight. With a few cars passing by on the road and the soft slap of the wind to our clasped body, I stunned.

I stared at the tall tree on the other side of the road as he tightened his hug even more. A stranger is hugging me, why won't I move?

"Ava.." he repeated my name and that's where it all dawned me. I pushed him and distanced myself. I looked at his covered face while I can feel the loud pounding of my heart. It feels like it's going to burst out..

"What.. what are you doing?" my voice is shaky but I can't explain what I'm feeling right now. I'm hoping.. hoping for what?

I held my breath when he finally removed his face mask. Our eyes locked to each other as I stared at his handsome face. Ang lapit namin.. at iba ang nararamdaman ko habang nakatitig sakaniya.

Do I miss him?

"When did you come home?" I continued staring at him while my mind is starting to have a flashback about everything that he did for me before. Shit stop.

"Is that your car?" I asked instead while pointing at the car that I bumped. It's already obvious but I just need something that will distract us from a serious conversation. I don't want to talk about me.

He didn't look at his car, his eyes are still fixed on me that I started feeling conscious. Why is he looking at me like that?

"I'm sorry.. Ipapaayos ko yung sasakyan mo, I promise. I apologize for the disturbance, I wasn't focusing on the road. Pasensya na talaga.." habang tumatagal na nakatingin siya sakin ay parang gusto ko nalang bumukas ang kinatatayuan kong semento at lamunin ako. This is so mortifying.

"You wasn't focusing on the road? What if you bumped on a moving car? Are you planning to get yourself on a car accident?" my lips parted with the seriousness on his voice. He sounds mad this time.

"Don't drive next time if you can't focus." I blinked when he approached our car. Tinitigan niya 'yon saglit bago kinuha ang phone at may kinausap. Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin habang pinagmamasdan siya.

Hindi ko rin alam kung matutuwa ba ako na sasakyan ni Paesyn yung nabangga ko. Who knows what will happen to me if it's a stranger's car, baka mainvolve pa ako sa road rage.

Ilang minuto pa bago niya ibinaba ang tawag at muling tumingin sakin. He briefly glanced around before returning his face mask. "Come here." I reluctantly make a step towards him. Geez, he's making me nervous now.

"Do you have a class today? You're still wearing your uniform." tanong niya at tiningnan ang kabuuan ko. Dahan-dahan akong umiling habang hindi na tumitingin sakaniya.

"Wala na.. I was just driving around before I go home.. and then this happened." pasimple ko siyang tiningnan saglit nang malalim siyang huminga. Agad din akong nag-iwas ng tingin.

"Be careful next time, something might have happen worse than this. Or better, don't drive anymore. Your driving skill sucks." nangunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. Why is he being mean now? Is it necessary to tell me that my driving skill sucks just because I bumped his car accidentally? It's my fault but he doesn't need to say these, I was drifting because of the things that are messing with my mind.

"Sorry." muling sabi ko nalang at mariing kinagat ang labi. Naiiyak ako sa sinabi niya. Nakakainis.

"Alis na ako." I whispered before turning my back at him. Didiretso na sana ako sa sasakyan ko pero hinila niya naman ako pabalik at muli akong pinaharap sakaniya. He checked my face before letting out a soft chuckle.