Always Here (Salve Series #1)

Kabanata 11: Eyes On Me

Kabanata 11: Eyes On Me

Ryker. I don't know why but... I like to call L by that name.

Hanggang sa makauwi ay hindi na ako nagawang mapansin ni L. He was quiet the whole time. Wala akong ideya sa kung ano man ang mga bagay na tumatakbo sa isipan niya ngayon.

"L..." Habol ko sa kaniya nang mauna siyang lumakad papunta sa elevator.

We were from the parking lot.

Nag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin. It was that cold stare again, I got frightened... a bit. Pumasok agad ako sa elevator. He pushed our floor button.

"Ano?"

"U-Uh... Do we have a... problem?"

"Wala," Diretso niyang sabi at tumingin lang sa harapan.

I pursed my lips. He's obviously not in the mood. May problema. Why won't he tell?

"L..." I tried opening up a conversation again.

"Call me by what you said earlier." Aniya, sinulyapan ako.

I was playing with my fingers because obviously, I'm confused, nervous, and unknowingly scared. I'm not even sure about the reason behind it.

"B-By what?"

His face was grim. "Ryker. That. Call me Ryker."

"I thought... I can call you L?" What does he prefer? I'm having a hard time!

"Nobody ever called me that. It's always Levi. It's like a fresh uttered word for me. Call me Ryker," Bigkas niya. Mukhang napansin niyang balisa ako. Slowly, he tapped my head lightly. "I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable. I'm just... confused as well."

Nag-angat ako ng tingin, umilag ang mga mata niya. He even moved inches away from me. Halatang hindi siya komportable.

"I'll understand you, uh..." Natigilan ako, I'm thinking if this was alright to do. "Ryker..."

Nasanay akong L ang tawag sa kaniya. Mouthing Ryker was a new feeling.

He gazed at me. His lips parted a bit. He looked stunned at some point ngunit agad na nabawi ang ekspresyon. L cleared his throat, pansin kong hindi mapakali ang mata niya.

"O-Okay..." He uttered.

The elevator opened on our floor. Nauna akong lumabas at lumakad. Sa hallway, may iilan kaming nakasalubong. One of them was the old lady who... told me negative things nung isang araw.

I didn't mind them. They were staring but I don't care anymore. The only judgment I want is from my God. Not from anyone else. Other's opinions won't matter.

Pinakiramdaman ko si L. Diretso ang lakad at tingin niya sa harapan. When he noticed that I was gazing at him, sinulyapan niya ako. He raised a brow, asking why I was looking. Umiling lang ako.

When we entered the unit, we were both silent.

Nobody dared to start a conversation.

I halted on my steps. Nauna si L na lumakad. When he noticed that I stopped in the living room, he looked back at me.

"Are you... good?" Hinanap niya ang mata ko.

I gave him an assuring smile. "Yeah, I am! Mauna ka ng umakyat..."

He pursed his lips. L didn't reply anymore pero nanatili ang tingin niya sa akin, tinatantiya ang galaw ko. When he realized that there was nothing more to anticipate for, tumango siya at diretso ng umakyat.