When I Was Saving You

Kabanata 16

"Kein..." tawag ko sa pangalan nito. Simula kagabi ay ganito na siya. "Are you mad at me?" kagat-labing tanong ko. Kinakabahan.

He accompanied me to work, but he's a bit silent. Kapag kinakausap ko siya sumasagot naman siya pero ewan ko ba. Hindi ako sanay na tipid lang ang sagot nito at hindi man lang tumatawa. He's acting unusually.

"No. I-its just I... uh... never mind. I gotta go. Goodnight." magulong sagot nito bago tumayo at tumungo sa may pinto. He's cold and silent.

Sumunod lang ako sa kaniya at tumigil sa may pintuan. Dire-diretso siya ng lakad. Hindi man lang ako nilingon. What if narealize niya na hindi niya pala talaga ako gusto?

I gathered all my strength and ran towards him. I hugged him from behind. His body stiffened.

"Did I do something wrong?" mahinang tanong ko. "Did you realize that you don't like me anymore?" halos pumiyok na dugtong ko.

Mabilis itong umikot paharap sa akin pero hindi pa rin humihiwalay sa yakap ko.

"No, of course not!" medyo malakas na pagkakasagot nito. He then rests his chin on my shoulder. "I'm just tired." I can feel his heavy breathing in my neck. So, I tapped his back as a sign of comfort.

Tumango tango na lang ako para ipahiwatig sa kaniya na naiintindihan ko. Kumalas ako sa yakap namin at tumingin nang diretso sa mga mata niya.

"If I ever did something to make you upset, please tell me so I can make it up to you." I stated. "You should go now. Be careful while driving. Text me when you get home." wika ko.

He just smiled at me, reassuring me that there was nothing to be worried about. But I can see through his eyes that I am somewhat accountable for his actions.

"I definitely need some rest."

I mouthed him good night when he got in his car. I hope that he will get some peaceful sleep tonight. I need to think of something to make it up to him.

Gumising ako nang maaga para magluto ng pagkain. I texted Kein to not bring food anymore because I would cook for our breakfast instead. Nothing is special naman sa niluto ko. Bacon, hotdog, egg, and fried rice lang naman. I added some lettuce dahil noong nakaraan pa ako nagc-crave dito.

"Hi!" masiglang bati ko nang dumating ito sa bahay. I noticed how his mood lightened up a bit. Hindi na rin kagaya kahapon na sobrang gloomy ng itsura niya at halos hindi mo maramdaman.

"Good morning." nakangiting bati nito at dinaluhan ako papasok sa bahay. Nakaakbay ito sa akin pero ang kamay niya ang nasa ulo ko.

Proud akong ipinakita sa kaniya ang niluto ko. Tumawa naman ito sa akin dahil kahit siya raw ay kaya namang lutuin iyon.

"Ah, okay. Hindi mo man lang na-appreciate ang effort ko.' I made a face. "Sana si Texon-" mahinang bulong ko pero mukhang narinig niya.

"I like it. I appreciate your effort. I really do appreciate the things you do... even the smallest and simplest things." bawi agad nito sa akin.

Nagsimula na kami kumain pagkatapos no'n. Nag-volunteer siyang tulungan ako na magligpit ng plato kahit kaunti lang naman iyon. Iyong kinainan lang namin at pinaglagyan ng mga ulam. Ihampas ko 'yon sa ulo niya e. Joke lang.

"I haven't seen you play basketball again. Do you miss playing basketball?" ani ko.

"I stopped playing basketball after I graduated from college." he replied.