Faking Delays

79. A Ring

Kristeena Abegaile

  

Continuation...

  

"JUST SAY THE word and we are out of here."

Napa lingon ako nang marining ang marahan niyang paglapit sa kinaroroonan ko. I smiled. "A penny for you thoughts, my lady?"

"Atom," ani ko. Ha, finally. Someone to remind me of home.

"Nice party, Kris. Though it probably costed more than my one-year allowance," biro niya pa. I saw him holding two glass of wine. Inabot niya ang isa sa akin. "I know you don't drink, but it's your birthday, so..."

"Thanks," I muttered before taking it. "It's nice, but it would have been nicer if I didn't have to wear this gown," pag amin ko.

He then groaned and lossened his tie. "Couldn't agree more. I wished I had less... restrictions, you know, but I don't want to scare your father away." I chuckled. I then felt the warmth of his coat over my bare shoulders.

I was about to protest when he spoke ahead of me. "Anyway, you okay?"

I took a sip since my throat suddenly felt dry.

Tumabi siya sa akin at isinandal rin ang siko sa railings. Andito kami ngayon sa balkonahe ng building, sa second floor. Hindi ko nga alam paano niya nalaman na nandito ako.

Must be his "manly intuition" as he called it.

"Ewan nga," I replied, truthfully. "Naninibago lang siguro."

I took a sip of the wine again, it tasted sweet on my tounge. I took one last sip and no more. I placed the glass down.

I want to get through this night sober.

He nodded. "It's expected," he agreed. "You have been running, hiding for years before you got here. Ni hindi mo nga alam na may kapatid ka and now you've been thrown in a crowd full of people you barely know. Kahit sino naman."

I sighed. I leaned forward, wind blowing against my face. I closed my eyes and just feel the wind.

"This is everything any girl would wish for, but why am I..." I breathe. I let the sentence hang on the air, not knowing how to finish it.

"You're not just any girl," aniya. Tinignan ko siya. Atom took one big gulp of his drink, emptying the glass. "Come, let's go back inside."

I grimaced. "And be introduced to fifty more strangers? No thank you, sir. Kalahati siguro ng mga pinakilala sa akin e tinitignan ng tatay ko na possible suitors, some even twice my age!"

I cringe as I remember those old geezers shaking my hand tighter than normal. Fuck, I should've brought an alcohol.

He roared into laughter, clutching his stomach.

"You? A sugar baby? Oh god!" he exclaimed. "W-Wait, no... Okay, I'm good. I'm good," he gasp in between laughter, wiping his tear.

"Okay ka na? Humihinga ka na?"

"Okay na," he answered, still smiling.

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"Good, now harden your stomach."

"Hmm? What'd you say, Kris?"

I then threw a left punch to his stomach that made him gasping for air. Napaluhod siya sa sahig habang hawak ang sikmura.

"Yeah, let's hear you laugh now."

"What was that for?!" singhal niya nang maka recover.

I shrugged. "I'm pissed and you're the closest. Plus, you kinda deserved it."

He smirked, still clutching his stomach. "God, you punch like a guy," he muttered under his breathe, which I heard.

"Yeah, I might've been a guy on may past life," I joked, crossing my arms, I nudged him by the knee. "Now if you're done choking, let's go. My father's probably looking for us." Nagsimula na akong maglakad papunta sa bukas na pinto.

"Wait, Kris," tawag niya sa 'kin.

I groaned, stopped then turned to him. "What—?!"

Nagulat na lang ako nang makita siyang may hawak na singsing. It's a small and plain, gold coated ring. I think air left my lungs that moment as if I'm drowning.

I gulped and was unable to speak. What is this?

"Happy Birthday, Kristeena Abegaile," he reached it out to me, still kneeling. Natawa siya nang hindi ako nagsalita. "I'm not proposing, stupid. My stomach still aches so—"

"Why a ring?" was my first reaction. I know, I should be thankful but I can't help but panic. A bit.

Fine, I'm terrified of what he'll say. I can't lose a friend as special as him.

Not now.

He shrugged and held his nape. "Well, ito lang 'yung pasok sa budget ko sa ngayon. Wait for my salary next month and I'll get you something bigger."

"Atom!" I called out. "You know that's not—!"

"Ah, shush!" Tumayo siya at inabot ang kamay ko. He placed it on my middle finger and it fits perfectly, as if it was made just for me. I watch it glimmer under the moonlight as my chest clenches.

Inangat ko ang tingin sa kaniya. "A-Atom..." panimula ko. He must've sensed it.

He smiled, looking at our hands and mine with the ring on it. "It's not a promise of love, Kris. So you can stop looking at me like that now. It's just a cheap present that I bought for a friend," he muttered, more to himself than to me.

After hearing him say that, I let out a sigh of relief. I laughed to myself. What was I thinking? Of course, Atom wouldn't see me like that! Silly me.

I extended my hand to the moon and shrugged unnecessary thoughts. "You know, I don't like jewelries," I started, "but this is one of the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. Thank you so much, Atom."

"Of course! Coming from a beautiful guy like me, what do you expect?" pagyayabang nito habang hinahawi ang buhok.

I smirked. "Nothing less," I said, as I pull him into a hug. "When it's you, I always expect nothing less, Atom."

I felt his arms tightened around me. "Stop, Kris, you're making me blush," he said against my hair.

I let go and pushed him jokingly. "Alright, that's enough, you're making me cringe. Ano, tara na? Baka magpa search and rescue pa ang tatay ko kapag hindi tayo nakita sa loob."

Nauna na akong naglakad sa kaniya. He chuckled before putting his arm over my shoulder. "Scary. But I guess it explains why you're his daughter."

I glared at him. "Don't make me punch you again, bruh."

"Sorry," aniya at kumindat pa.

---

Author's Note:

A little something to explain how the whole "fiancé" thing started. I hope you're all doing well, mentally and physically.

Stay hydrated!

Now we continue...

Love,
Arem