Softly, you whisper

Four

Four

Nori was just sitting a few spaces away from me. When she agreed to take her home, I was delighted and at the same time nervous. I didn't know why.

Maybe it's because I was already late and here I am, taking a girl home. A girl I barely even knew.

Napatingin ako kay Nori na nasa bintana lang ang atensyon. Even with just a few spaces away from me, I can smell her faint strawberry scent. She was tired from work and of course, she'll be walking here and there. Pero iniisip ko pa rin kung bakit hindi nawawala ang pamilyar na amoy niyang iyon.

"Sir, nandito na po tayo." Manong Ayda interrupted as he stopped the car.

Napalingon ako sa labas at nakitang naroon na nga kami sa labas ng kanilang subdivision. This one's near CSF at ang amin ay nasa kabilang banda pa.

Bumaba ako nang bumaba si Nori sa aming saskakyan. She faintly smiled at me as she tuck the strands of her hair to her ears.

"Thank you sa paghatid." She smiled more.

"You're welcome." My eyes narrowed a bit. "Are you sure that it's okay na rito lang kita ihahatid? We can drive you inside."

"Hindi na. Nakakaabala pa ako. Ang sabi ng driver mo ay bala mapagalitan ka ng Mama mo."

"I'll tell my mom that I took you home. You're a friend now."

Namilog ang kaniyang mata. "Uh, friend?"

"Yup." I grinned at her. "I'm your friend now, Nori. Kung ayaw mo, okay lang din naman. I was just offering."

"Uh..." she chuckled. "Wala kasi akong masyadong kaibigan. It's a surprise that someone like you would want to be friends with me."

"Someone like me? Why? What am I like?" I was suddenly curious.

"A varsity...sikat? Uh...ano pa ba.." she was thinking cutely while her words sounded like she's panicking.

I chuckled to stop her thoughts. "It doesn't matter, Nori. I'm just going to be Zoe for you from now on. Ngayon idagdag mo na ako sa listahan mo ng kaibigan."

"Sigurado ka ba?" Her eyes widened more.

Tumango-tango ako. "Yeah. I'm sure. Very sure."

I was like trying to convince myself that I was sure to be friends with her and nothing beyond that. Gusto ko lang namang patunayan na kaya kong hanggang magkaibigan lang kami.

This cute attraction I have with Nori will just pass. Kapag naging magkaibigan na kami ay makakalimutan ko lang din. Plus, I've made a promise to myself to focus on school and the varsity team. No time for girlfriends and such. I want to graduate in peace with no strings attached to anyone else. I don't want a break-up pre or post graduation either so I wanted to be safe.

I cut my staring game with Nori when my phone rang. Nang makita ko ang pangalan ni Mom ay napatingin ulit ako kay Nori.

"Sorry..." I apologized and smiled awkwardly. "I gotta go, Nori."

"Sure. Baka pagalitan ka na sa inyo. I'm going to be okay here, Zo."

"Zo?" I chuckled. "Shortened version na ang Zoe tapos pinaikli mo pa."

"G-gusto mo ba ang Zoe?"

I shook my head. "Zo or Zoe or Sweven, anything's fine with me as long as may tawag ka sa akin."

"Sige." She warmly smiled again and it was blinding. "Ingat sa pag-uwi. Sabihan mo 'yong driver niyo na thank you sa paghatid."

I bid my goodbye on her. I let her inside the subdivision first before I let manong Ayda drive. Tumawag sa akin si Mama ulit at sinagot ko naman. She was totally worried for me because I took too long to answer. I had to assure my mother that I was okay and that I was already in the car.