Bouquet of Heartbreaks (Fitzmael 5)

01: Elements

Kasalukuyan kaming papasok sa van dahil aalis na kami patungong airport nang marinig ko na naman ang bungisngis ng kapatid ko.

"What do dentists call their X-rays?" tanong ni Catmint.

"Ano?" Ren asked.

"Tooth Pics," aniya saka bumungisngis.

"Do you want to hear a construction joke?" banat naman iyon ni Cedar.

"Hmm?" I uttered.

"Sorry, I'm still working on it," he replied, chuckling.

Bahagya akong natawa. Napailing na lang ako saka ako pumasok at naupo malapit sa bintana ng van. Ilang minuto ang nakaraan nang naramdaman kong may tumabi sa akin.

I smiled when I saw Erazius.

"Good morning, boo. You're so pretty," he said, smiling from ear to ear.

I quickly looked away.

"Boo, humarap ka sa akin," bulong niya.

"A-Ayoko..."

"Okay."

Agad akong napatingin sa kanya. Akala ko galit siya, e. Pero nakangiti lang siya habang titig na titig sa akin.

"You're blushing, boo," he said, grinning.

"You... make me blush," pag-aamin ko.

I saw how his eyes widen. "Wow! It's a miracle that you said something to me about what you feel."

My forehead creased. "Is that a bad thing?" I asked.

"Hmm..." napaisip siya. "Okay lang naman sa akin kung tahimik ka pero kung gusto mong mag open-up in your own way, much better. Kasi I really want to get to know you. Hindi mo naman kailangang mag joke or something, I like your personality, though."

"Okay then," I said, smiling. "I will open-up to you. You can ask me questions naman. Ang awkward naman kung kwento ako nang kwento tapos irrelevant pala."

He froze.

My forehead creased. I snapped my fingers. "Okay ka lang?"

"Alam mo bang 20 words lang ang pinakamahaba mong sinabi kahapon? Iyon pa ang time na masakit ang ulo mo. Now, you just spoke 24 words! Achievement for me!" aniya saka malawak na ngumisi.

I was confused. "Huh? Binibilang mo ang bawat words na lumalabas sa bibig ko?" I asked, chuckling.

He nodded. "Yep."

"Unbelievable!" I uttered.

He grinned. "Anyway, back to our topic, okay lang sa akin kahit random ang sasabihin mo. I just like to hear your voice."

Hindi ko napigilan ang aking ngiti. "Okay, Zius."

"Boo... Call me boo," he said, pouting.

"Duly noted, boo..." I said. Napahawak pa ako sa batok dahil nahihiya ako. "Anyway, what's your dream course? I didn't ask you back last night."

"Anything related to Chemistry," seryoso niyang tugon.

"Really? Then why did you choose IT?"

"I want to take care of my twin. She likes IT," aniya. Nakita ko kung paano kumislap ang kanyang mga mata.

I smiled. Nakakarelate naman ako sa kanya kapag pagmamahal sa kapatid ang pag-uusapan.

"Na-e-enjoy mo ba ang course mo?" I asked.

He nodded. "Basic lang," aniya saka bahagyang natawa. "Saka ayokong mahirapan si Elisha kaya ginagabayan ko siya... kaya lagi ko siyang kasama. Mahal na mahal ko 'yon."