Meet Me In Your Sanctuary (4th District Series #1)

Chapter 19

Halos isang minuto na ang nakalipas buhat nang mawala si Micko sa aming paningin subalit hindi pa rin ako makatingin ng diretso sa kanya. Hindi ko mapigilang mainis sa sarili ko sapagkat nakaligtaan ko ang patungkol sa bagay na 'yon.

"S-Sorry, nakalimutan kong sabihin," I apologized when I finally got a hold of my senses and voice again.

His jaw tightened but when he saw my sincere and apologetic face, it calmed down. "It's okay."

"Nawala sa loob ko na milk tea shop pala 'to."

"Let's go back. I will order another drink. I think they serve iced tea too."

Tumango ako at sabay kaming bumalik sa loob. Nakita ko ang dalawang large size na milk tea na nakapatong sa table namin. Napanguso ako at inangat ang tingin kay Juancho.

"Sorry ulit. Sayang itong isa," saad ko at naupo sa upuan.

"It's okay. I'll have them both. What drink do you want now?"

"Okay na ako sa iced tea," sagot ko.

"Alright. Wait for me here."

I stared at his back heading towards the counter again. That's the exact moment I noticed the looks from the girls who are talking about him earlier before I went out. Their eyes are all on me as they whisper something at each other.

I am well aware that right now, their topic revolves around me and him. Well at least, their conclusion about Juancho's gender will now probably be affected. But then, the way they stare at me bothers me. Base sa mga mukha ng mga ito ay tila hindi sila makapaniwalang ako ang kasama ni Juancho.

Not wanting to prompt more negative impressions, I brought my eyes off of them. Hindi ko na rin naman makokontrol kung ano ang nais nilang isipin patungkol sa akin kaya't habang hindi ko naririnig mismo ay hahayaan ko na lang. Minsan, mas mainam na umiiwas sa gulo.

"I ordered green apple iced tea with nata," he announced upon sitting down on the table adjacent to mine.

"Okay, thank you. Sorry ulit ha?"

He released a sigh. "Stop saying sorry."

My lips protruded. "Tumawag si Papa kaso walang signal kaya lumabas ako saglit. Nagkataon na nando'n din si Micko. Uh... sa water works kasi trabaho niya."

I realized that I should at least explain what I was doing outside when he saw us. I think I owe him that. The last time he confessed, he told me that jealousy made him mad. That's the reason why I want to avoid things that might spark jealousy again. Or at least, if I did that unconsciously, I should explain to kill it off.

Hindi umimik si Juancho at tumitig lang sa akin. His silence made my lips stretch downwards. But before I could even conclude gloom-ridden thoughts, the short silence he built was also wrecked by him.

"Ano pa'ng mga ayaw mo?" tanong niya.

"Ha?"

Bumuntonghininga siya at ipinatong ang dalawang kamay sa ibabaw ng lamesa.

"Aside from milk teas, what else do you hate?"

He looks genuinely curious and soft. Kung susuriin, mukhang nais niya talagang malaman ang mga bagay na ayaw ko. At hindi ko dapat ipinagkakait iyon.

I sighed and told him other food that I don't like, like some vegetables, fruits, cooks on food, and more that entered my mind. Para patas, tinanong ko rin kung ano ang mga sa kanya hanggang sa dumating ang pagkain namin at iyong iced tea na huling binili niya.

We ate in silence. It was only broken again when we were already just finishing off the drinks.

"May I know how long have you been friends with him?"