Paper Flight

Kabanata 10

"Come on, we are going to Sinao College the meeting place will be there."

I sighed before leaning my face closer to his. His ears burned and his face became more serious.

"Let's go." I said and leaned away from him.

"Wait how are we going there?"

He pointed at his motorcycle making me shook my head.

"Nuh-uh. You are not goint to make me ride that. I almost died because of that thing."

Tinignan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa bago kinuha yung bag ko at binuhat ng parang sako.

"Hoy, Pierre!"

Tumawa ang mga kaibigan ko habang nagvivideo. Nilagay ko yung kamay ko sa may balikat niya at inangat yung ulo ko.

"Pierre, ano ba? Baba mo ako!"

Binaba niya ako sa may upuan ng motor at sinuot sa akin yung helmet sinuot niya rin yung kanya bago nilapit yung noo niya.

"Ayos ka upo, Aislin. Babagalan ko takbo."

Yumuko ako at inayos yung upo ko. Umupo siya sa harapan ko at nilagay yung mga braso ko sa bewang niya.

"Okay ka na?"

Tumango lang ako bago ilagay yung baba ko sa may balikat niya. Nakita ko ang maliit na ngiti niya nagform sa mga labi niya.

"Damn, you just made me fall deeper Cielo."

May binulong siya pero hindi ko na narinig dahil sa biglang pagpapatakbo niya. Higpitan ko kapit sa kanya sa takot na mahulog ako.

"Dude, that was still fast."

He looked at me before shrugging. I slapped his arms before crossing my arms. Everytime I'm with him I go back to my old self.

"Let's go, Pierre."

He nodded and followed me. I stopped before turning to him with an awkward smile plastered on my lips.

"Saan nga ulit?"

He smiled at me before ruffling my hair.

"You don't check the messages in the group chat don't you?"

"Yes. I forgot because I was busy helping my siblings finish their works."

He looked at me while walking ahead.

"Don't you get tired?"

I looked at him before smiling sadly.

"Don't you ever get tired of helping them and being responsible if they failed even if it's not your fault?"

"No, my family know me as a easy-going person. Who will help them anytime. That I don't get tired, or stressed. It's already been 4 years, so I got used to it."

Right, even if my parents say that it's okay not to help them you can never turn your back on your responsibility.

He looked at me with pity. I know that kind of eyes because whenever I tell my friends or classmates my situation they'll pity me.

"Don't give me that look please."

"What look?"

"Your eyes displayed the emotion pity. I don't need pity. I'm okay with my situation."

He nodded and I walked right in front of him. He grabbed my arms before placing his forehead on my shoulder.

"So when you where volunteering on making the visual aid and other things before is because you want to show that you are also busy."

Inangat ko ang kamay ko at hinagod ang likod niya. Tumango lamang ako.

"When you need help on something, I can help you right?"

Ngumiti lang ako bago pinat yung ulo niya.

"Pierre, anyone can help even if it's hard for you."

Tumango siya at saka inangat ang ulo niya. Hinawakan niya ang wrist ko bago naglakad papunta sa meeting place.

"You can come to our house if you feel not going home. I'll help you with your science or something."

I giggled before catching up to him. I looked at him and I know that he can see the fondness in my eyes.

"Alright, Pierre."

"Good Afternoon po!" I greeted as I know that most of the students here are older than me. I nudged him to greet and he just glared at me.

"Oh good afternoon. We are going to discuss about the sportfest that our school decided to held."

As we discussed the topics it was already 6 in the evening. We got up and bid our goodbyes to the friends we made.

"Are going hone already?" He asked me as he accompany me.

"Not yet. I still need to but some few things for my school works."

"Well then, let's go. I'll accompany you."

"Huh? It's alright."

"I can't let you go alone especially if it's night."

I nodded and we rode his motorcycle. As we rode pass the traffic, I placed my chin on his shoulder and appreciate the stars.

"Pierre, did you know that the sky are a like graveyard?"

"No, why is the sky a graveyard?"

I smiled before continuing to explain.

"The sky is a graveyard of stars, it shows that death can also be beautiful."

"Well, stars are hot ball of gases and they are dead so I guess it is a graveyard."

I laughed at him, knowing that this guy is a STEM student.

"Mr. STEM, no more science please."

"Well then, no more math please Ms. ABM."

We laughed at our silliness and before we know nakarating na kami sa nag-iisang bookstore na palagi kong pinupuntahan.

"I'll just go buy it real quick. Stay here."

I ran to the bookstore and bought more columnar pad, notebooks and sticky notes. When I passed by the books I saw my favorite series and decided to look at it.

"Masyadong mahal. Next time ka na lang."

"Anong next time na lang?"

Napatingin ako sa likod ko at nagulat ako sa sobrang lapit ng aming mga ilong.

"Wala."

Ngumiti na lang ako sa kanya bago iniba ang usapan.

"Bakit andito ka?"

"Kala ko need mo ng tulong."

"Kaya ko naman, bayaran ko lang saglit."

Tumango siya sa akin at sumunod papuntang counter. Nang matapos na ako isinuot niya sa akin yung helmet at sumakay na.

"Alam mo ba kung saan ako nakatira?"

"Kelan ba hindi?"

"Edi waw, ikaw na may alam."

Tumawa siya and then naging seryoso ang mukha but his eyes held softness. His hands made way to my cheeks slowly caressing them.

"Aislin, don't be good just for others be good for yourself too, if they are important, then you are also important."

Tears pooled around my eye before I nod my head at him. I slowly snaked my arms around his neck and hugged him. He hugged my waist before playing with the ends of my hair.