When The Flower Withers (Fleur Series #1)

Chapter 6

"Excuse me?" maarteng tanong ni Crezia.

Ash stood beside me. "You're excused."

Crezia smirked and looked at us insultingly. "Jowa mo?" she asked me and gave Ash a glance once more.

"Is that how you address your boyfriend? Jowa?" I gave her an insulting laugh. "Ang jologs ha," I added.

"So feeling mo sosyal ka na niyan? If I know gal—"

"Excuse me, you have something in your teeth," putol ni Ash sa pagsasalita ni Crezia.

I noticed how she became conscious after Ash said that to her. Walang sabi-sabing umalis do'n si Crezia. Natawa nalang kami ni Ash nang muntik pa siyang madapa. When she looked at us, Ash and I pretended we didn't see anything, nag-apir pa kami pagkatapos kasi natatawa pa rin talaga kami.

Matapos mag-sigarilyo, umalis na rin kami ni Ash do'n sa restobar.

Ash tapped my left arm gently. "Are you alright?" he asked worriedly.

"Hmm." I nodded my head.

I've decided not to go home yet probably because I didn't want to carry at home the negative energy Crezia radiated and gave to me.

Funny how words, even a damn single word can make us feel this way. Kahit na may tiwala tayo sa sarili natin, minsan hindi natin maiwasan na hindi ma-apektuhan sa mga sasabihin o sinasabi ng tao sa paligid natin; words are really powerful.

Ash kept on asking me if I was alright and everytime he asked that, I was just nodding my head. I didn't want to ruin his mood. I knew he enjoyed their performance earlier and I didn't want to take away from him the happiness he was feeling right now.

Siya pa nga ang unang nag-aya na umuwi na kami because he was so worried at me. Pero ang sabi ko gusto ko muna sa peaceful na lugar. I asked him to take me anywhere where I could find a solace. Sobrang dami kong iniisip ngayon at hindi ko papayagan na makulong ako sa mga thoughts na 'yon.

Gladly, I am with Ash. I knew he'd understand me and he'd help me; for sure, to make me feel better and less of a person.

"Ano'ng iniisip mo?" he asked again.

I looked at him. "Nothing," simpleng sagot ko.

"Si Primrose..." Ngumuso na naman siya at tinap ako sa balikat. "Hindi ako sanay na tahimik ka. 'Wag mo na kasing isipin 'yon."

"Fin-"

"Wala ka namang isip e." Tumawa siya nang malakas matapos sabihin 'yan.

Annoyance abruptly filled me. Pinaghahampas ko siya sa braso. "You're so annoying! B'wisit kang bangus ka!"

"Uy! Uy! Baka ma-aksidente tayo. Mamaya mo na ako harutin," he teased again as his laughs echoed in my ears.

"Ash naman e!" I stomped my feet. "Naiinis na nga 'yung tao, nang-aasar ka pa!" Masama ko siyang tinignan.

He didn't look back at me because he's driving but he's still smirking! He's giving me a side-glance too and I knew he was just teasing me even more.

"Tao ka pala?" he asked and I was about to throw him a punch when he added, "I thought you were a goddess." He gave me a winsome smile after he said that.

Ash's hair is dancing in the wind and he didn't bother himself to run his hand over it even if he's driving with one hand.

I stared at his smile, bit my lower lip and looked away. I really like it when his eyes were twinkling every time he was smiling. He looks so approachable and he doesn't look like he's carrying any problems at all.