It's Official! (Oh Is It?)

5

"Sshhh. Tahan na. It's okay. Hayaan mo na siya, okay?" 

"Ang sama sama niya. Wala man lang consideration. I was just doing my task eh. Bakit nya kailangang magsalita crossing the border? Ipinamukha pa niya kay Ms. Lopez na irresponsible ako. Nakakainis siya! Hambog! Kainis!" I can't help but be emotional as I am ranting on Kiel's shoulder.

Ayokong umiyak dahil lang sa hambog na iyon, pero sobra siya. How could he ruin everything! He made me look like an untrustworthy, monster-like, and irresponsible student in front of Ms. Lopez. 

I tried to refrain from being emotional, but what he did was not acceptable! I can't tolerate that anymore! He just made me look terrible and irresponsible. He triggered me to look like one.

"Iiyak mo lang hanggang sa maging okay ka." I felt him tapping my back gently. His arm is on my shoulder, feeling like he is hugging me, though it's not. I can smell his masculine perfume. I can't even look at him right now, dahil I looked like a little crybaby girl from nowhere. I am conscious of how I look right now. Ugh, nakakahiya sa crush ko! Oops, did I just utter 'crush'? 

"Kiel, thank you ah". I managed to say, nang mahimasmasan ako. Halos hindi ko siya matitigan sa mata. It's just... Argh! I didn't see this coming! I mean, I didn't expect him to see me like this! He smiled and awkwardly released his arms on my back. 

"No worries.  I... I'm your friend. And I love you. Kaya lahat gagawin ko para sa'yo." He said it naturally. Dahilan para matigilan ako at feeling ko namumula na ang pisngi ko dahil sa three little words na iyon. I bit my lower lip to refrain myself from... fine! Kilig. 

"Tara. Road trip tayo." Pag-aaya nya sa akin. Napaisip ako sandali. I want to be with him, but... is it right to come with him in the middle of my assigned task? May program event pa sa campus.  I heard him chuckle; maybe he sensed that I was hesitant. 

"Kung ang program at ang task ang iniisip mo, don't worry, nag-alisan na mga guests. And even that guy, umalis na rin. At kung ang kuya mo naman, I will text him na kasama kita. Ako na rin maghahatid sa'yo sa inyo. " 

Matagal akong napatingin sa kanya. He seems so sincere. It's one of the traits I love. He was smiling as he stretched his hand toward me. This day was awful because of that monkey, but Kiel is here with me to brighten up my mood. I want to be with him, kahit ngayon lang.  Tumango ako at nakangiting inabot ang kamay niyang nakalahad sa akin. 

*

"Wo-ho!" Paulit ulit na sigaw ni Kiel while driving his car. Ako naman, napapatakip lang sa mata ko dahil sa bilis ng pagmamaneho nya. Napapahawak sa dibdib dahil sa kaba.  Gosh! I might die at a young age! Para siyang nakikipag-race sa mga sasakyang makakasabayan namin.  Waahh! Ayoko pang mamatay kahit pa siya kasama ko, 'no! Mas mahal ko sarili ko! 

"Ezekiel! Waahh! Drive slowly! Ayoko naaa!" I heard his chuckles habang bumabagal ang takbo ng sasakyan. Whew! I slowly opened my eyes dahil sa pagbagal nito. Napasimangot akong tumingin sa kanya habang tawa ng tawa. But gosh! The sound of his laugh!

He chuckled. "Sorry." He scratched his nape, which made him cuter. Aww... Kainis naman, bakit ganyan? 

"Kainis ka! Plano mo yata akong patayin sa kaba eh!" I pouted.  Umiling iling siya habang natatawa pa rin. Aww.. pati mga mata niya nakikitawa. I can see the glow in his eyes.

I diverted my sight sa paligid because if not, I might get distracted by his presence. Napatingin ako sa paligid and nasa isang park pala kami.  Napapaligiran  ng mga iba't ibang bulaklak. May mga pine-like trees pa sa paligid. Mas gumanda pa ang view because of the red and orange clouds. 

"Sunset. Ang ganda ng view!" I gladly muttered, amazed. 

"Pero mas maganda ka." he uttered, seriously smiling at me, which made me stop. It feels like time suddenly stops and only the beat of our hearts is heard. The shine of the sun strikes at us as we meet glances.  His words hit me figuratively! Even his simple words had a great impact on me.