Crossing Through A Valiant Heart (ON-GOING)

Chapter 9

"I just.. didn't know what you meant. So I asked you about it."

He looked disappointed with my answer but that was my best so I wouldn't tell him exactly what I was feeling. I drank some water again and finished my food quickly. He was surprised when I stood up already.

"Buti hindi ka nabilaukan." he looked at my plate.

I was staring at him for quite some time. He stopped talking and looked at me again.

"Bakit? Gwapo?" he tilted his head.

I've been wanting to do it and I just can't wait. I went closer to him and hugged him. I didn't know what else to say to comfort him so I just hugged him. Hopefully, he would feel fine. He's almost leaving for China, too. He needs courage from here.

I was going to let go but he suddenly held my back and kept me. He was hugging me back this time.

"What's this for?" he suddenly asked.

"I didn't know how to comfort you."

He held the back of my head and I felt his breath on my shoulder.

"Thank you," he whispered. "This is better than words." I felt his forehead drop on my shoulder. He sounded and looked tired. Baka naghihintay lang siya na may pagsasabihan. I'm glad he found me trustworthy.

I let him lean on me for a couple of minutes. He sounded like he needed it. When he realized that he was holding me for a long time, he let go. We both stood awkwardly and avoided eye contact.

"It's still early. What are you doing besides studying?" he changed the topic without making eye contact.

"Um.." I was thinking of something to say but someone butted in.

"Ryry!" Ivy waved at me but stopped when she saw Ice in front of me. "Omg, I'm sorry. What's this about?" she hung her arm on my shoulder and raised an eyebrow on Ice.

"Baka mapikon 'yan. Pikunin 'yan." bulong ni Luca kay Ivy. Siniko ko si Luca. They were probably walking together and just saw me around here. "Aray! Why? It's true." he stuck his tongue out on me.

"Can you tell your friend to stop pestering me?" Ivy asked Ice out of annoyance. Her other hand was on her waist. Friend? Sino naman doon?

"Who?" Ice asked and he looked just as confused as I and Luca are.

"Valentino or whatever. Ang annoying, okay? Best friends daw kayo so I'll leave that to you." after she said that, she looked at both me and Ice like she was observing us. "Are you..?" She's probably asking if we're together. We're getting that a lot now.

"H-Huh? It's not like that-"

"No." Ice bluntly said. That sounded really cold and it just hurt me. "Don't get the wrong idea."