Ophelia (Overseas Series 1)

Kabanata 4

#OpheliaKab4

Lukas' dude looked like I committed an unforgivable sin dahil sa malutong kong mura.

Wait, what!? Did he understand me? Pinoy ba 'to?

Cuz he definitely doesn't look like one. I know I am stereotyping but a man with chinky eyes, thick brows that weirdly compliments his thin lips, skin complexion na sobrang puti at halatang lutong-luto sa aircon, doesn't look so Filipino at all, especially one that understands and probably speaks the language with fluency.

"Please, dude."

"Naiintindihan mo ako?"

Lukas and I chorused, so we weirdly looked at each other. Ang gulo namin! He's weirded that I was speaking Tagalog to his friend. On the other hand, I was weirded why is this man going to take me home??

"How—"

"Why—"

Sabay naming tanong sana sa isa't-isa. When we realized what's happening, we bursted into laughter like we don't have an audience who's forehead is still creased and probably weirded out. Or maybe he doesn't really care at all? Baka natural na yung kunot sa noo niya?

Tumikhim ako just to break the awkwardness that I feel with this man who's intently staring at me right now. I felt like I was a deer caught in the headlights. It was... I don't know, disturbing? The intensity of his gaze made me feel conscious of how I look like at the moment. And that, that is definitely disturbing.

Umiwas ako ng tingin and I caught Lukas staring at us staring each other. For a split second I thought that he flashed a faint smile, but I don't think so because after a millisecond, he was now smiling widely to me and then to him.

"So," Lukas said, clasping his hand together. " I believe that I have already introduced the two of you."

I don't remember his name!

I faked a smile to the man and he just nodded na nakakunot pa rin ang noo.

Lukas faced me. "Lia, I requested him to take you home because I can't and I don't want to imagine the thoughts you'll have when you're the one driving."

Hindi ako sumagot. I still have a lot of questions. Saan siya matutulog? Ihahatid ba ako ng lalaking ito door-to-door? Is he a good and responsible driver? Most importantly, am I safe with him?

"He's on his way to the airport kaya madadaanan niya ang apartment mo. I'll sleep in the room downstairs. As for him, he did not drink even a single sip of alcohol, he's not a reckless driver. And among all men in here..." Lukas continued na pinahina ang boses sa huling sinabi, "I trust him a lot, so, I am trusting you to him." He then gave me a do-you-understand-me look.

I don't want to give my answer yet, so I gave the man a side-glance. I don't know if I should trust this man, but I trust Lukas, even in his state right now na nakainom, I trust him, I really do, so I will trust him.

"Okay," I obliged. I heard the man sigh and I think it means 'finally.'

"We'll get going," the man informed and turned his back at us to bid his goodbyes to the others in the yacht.

I looked at Lukas. He smiled at me as he put his right hand on my right cheek, his thumb drawing small circles on it. "You'll be great, Lia," he assured. "He already said yes to me earlier, so don't think that he was forced and that he'd do something to you to avenge himself from being forced by me," Lukas said with soft chuckles after his last sentence. Why? Because he knows I was thinking about that. What if nabwiset yung lalaki kay Lukas kaya lang pumayag? Knowing Lukas, he's persuasive as hell if he wants to especially when assuring my safety to other people.