Since that night ay halos araw-araw na yata akong napapadaan sa apartment niya bago ako umuuwi. And slowly, I can sense that he's getting comfortable with me.
Ewan ko kung naiisip ko ba 'yon dahil sa pagiging positive kong tao, but seriously, the improvement was really good.
"Hi!" masaya kong bati pagkapasok ko sa unit niya. "May dala akong kwek-kwek!" I showed him the cup.
"I'm full."
Napangisi ako.
"Hindi raw, sabi ni Clover." Pinatong ko 'yong cup sa table at inabot si Clover. "I missed you!" I kissed the cat.
"Kumusta ka naman?" nakangiti kong tanong.
"Fine," mahina niyang sagot.
But see? He's answering now! Kahit tipid, at least sumasagot kapag tinatanong. Unlike dati na...nevermind.
Mas napangisi naman ako no'ng makitang kinuha na niya 'yong dala kong kwek-kwek.
Cute. I giggled saka pinisil 'yong mukha ni Clover.
"You have no class tomorrow, I am free too, pasyal tayo?" I asked, still smiling. Kanina ko pa 'to iniisip buong araw at sobrang naeexcite ako. Bukod sa matagal ko ng hindi nagagawa ay excited din ako sa magiging reaction niya, I just hope he'd be fine with it, anyway kasama naman niya ako. "Kaso KKB muna, ah? Taghirap pa eh!" I laughed, remembering how I thrifted my allowance for tomorrow.
"I don't want to," mahina niyang sagot bago kumagat doon sa kwek-kwek at nginuya ito.
"Cute ngumuya, parang baby." I giggled pero agad ding nanlaki ang mata ko no'ng maubo siya bigla.
Mabilis akong pumunta sa kitchen para kumuha ng tubig at ibinigay sa kanya.
"Okay ka lang?" I worriedly asked.
He just looked at me for a bit bago ipinirmi ang tingin sa lapag.
"What are you...up to?"
Eh? Sabi na eh! Interesado rin 'to sa lakad, nahihiya lang.
Lumapit ako sa kanya at itinaas 'yong kanang kamay ko.
"Let's cheer!" panimula ko. "Napanuod ko kasi kanina sa TV na may laban pala bukas 'yong school niyo sa UAAP, kalaban nila 'yong USTe, dati kong school no'ng senior high...kaya gusto kong manuod at syempre gusto ko kasama ka, para maexperience mo naman, because I'm sure na hindi mo pa nagagawa 'yon." Tumitig ako sa kanya at napansin ko ang pagiging malikot ng daliri niya. He's fidgeting like he's nervous? I'm not sure. Pero siguro nga.
"Maraming...tao." He looked away.
Aww, I really feel bad. I know he's not comfortable but still...I don't think he deserve to live his life that way forever.
I leaned closer. "Don't be scared, I'm with you! Ako 'to, si Ekay, ang superhero mo!" nakangisi kong sabi kahit ang korni ng linya kong 'yon. I don't know what's with me, I'm really weird when I'm with him.
"Don't want to..." lumayo siya.
I held his hand and caressed it, tila nawalan ng hiya. "Sige na Shin, I really want you to experience cheering and watching a live game, masaya 'yon...promise! Kasama mo ako at hindi kita iiwan do'n ng mag-isa. I'll protect you and we'll protect each other, 'kay?" I pursed my lips as I tried to find his eyes.
My heart is beating wildly, parang takot nanaman yata na hindi talaga siya pumayag. Surely, I'll be disappointed kung gano'n nga ang mangyari pero maiintindihan ko naman siya. Because I know that if you can't face that particular thing yet, avoidance is the option kahit na alam ko rin na hindi matatakasan ang isang bagay habang-buhay.
BINABASA MO ANG
One Fateful Night
Lãng mạnUniversity Belt Encounter Series #2 Despite the hardships and challenges she had been through, Erika Allison was still able to keep her bubbly personality and positive view of life. She's tough, family-centered, responsible, and patient. In being an...
