Run Away With Me

Chapter 30: Ramble

Gemini's POV

It didn't take long before we reached whatever place Erick wanted to take me to. Siguro dahil sa sobrang pag-iisip ko, hindi ko na napansin kung gaano katagal na kami na naglalakad.

"Jemi?"

Tawag niya sa pangalan ko kaya napapikit ako at tingin sa direksyon ni Erick. "We're here," a faint smile on his lips.

Nasa mall kami, yung malapit sa school. Right infront of a fake tree, actually, eto yung spot namin dati ni Erick. Huh.

"Bakit tayo nandito?" Tanong ko sa kaniya. "Hindi ko alam eh." Malamyang tawa niya which confused me.

"Hindi mo alam?"

"Oo, I just... didn't know what to do when I saw you cry," he mumbled, "kase diba, sino ba naman gustong makita umiiyak yung..." Bulong niya sa huli sabay hila niya sakin paupo since there's this seat surrounding the tree.

"Yung ano?"

"Ikaw, kung anuman yung puwede ka maging sakin." Suddenly, I felt the tips of his fingers against mine. "...Jemi?"

"Yeah?"

"Hindi ka na umiiyak noh?" Tanong niya in the softest tone possible, it gave me this warm pang around my chest.

"Ah, hindi na," my hand remained still, hindi ko alam kung hahawakan niya ba o hinde.

"...That's- I'm relieved..."

"... Erick?" Tawag ko naman, sweat out of nowhere gathering at the palms of my hands.

"Hm?"

"Masama ba kung," my hands turned into a fist sabay lunok ko ng kaba, "natatakot ako?"

"Saan?"

"Dito."

"Dito?" I could feel his stare dig into my figure. Huminga ako nang malalim.

...

...

...

Slowly, my fingers found its way to his hand as Erick flinched in response without moving away.

...

...

...

...

I could feel his warmth against me. It was weird.

Kasi, imbis na maspawisan ako, relief flooded inside me.

.....And for some reason, it felt nice.

Holding his hand.

"Eto," Tipid na salita ko as I took my time in wrapping my hand around his.

"..." Nagtaka ako nang mapansin kong nangingining yung kamay ni Erick. Kaya tumingala ako at doon ko lang nakita na may mga nagsisituluan na mga luha na pala mula sa mga mata niya. "God, Jemi-" Punas niya ng mga luha niya gamit yung isang kamay niya.

His fingers quickly intertwined with mine. To my own surprise, he delicately tightened the only physical connection between us.

"....y-" nauutal na salita niya.

"Yes, it's fu-fucking normal," patuloy na iyak niya, "kahit ako natatakot ako pero ewan... Ewan, I just love you more than that fear, Gemini."

"Trust me, it's normal." Tingin niya sa mga mata ko, "It's not something you should be ashamed of," dagdag niya pa.

Napatitig lang ako sa kaniya. It was unbelievable. To see someone like him cry because of... this... as I held his hand back tightly. "..." Hindi ako mapakali, being able to experience him tear up because of me. Right now. It was something I never expected to see.