Chapter 12
Something
"Bakit hindi mo binigay?" halukipkip ni Deo matapos umalis si Norales.
Norales can't take my number, so we took a picture instead. Si Deo pa ang nagkuha ng litrato.
Humalukipkip rin ako at itinaas ang kilay. "Kasi ayaw ko."
Tumalikod ako at bumulong ako kay Lau na magkakape lang ako sa labas. Alam niya naman kung saan ako madalas na nagc-coffee sa labas ng campus. Tumango naman siya kahit nakikipag-usap siya kay Anton. Wherever I go out, I would tell one of my friends just in case.
I went there alone to have time for myself. I was quietly sipping on my coffee, waiting for the time to subside. It's a time for peace cause finally wala masyadong tao rito sa cozy coffee shop. The colors of the sky are pastel already. Nag-aagaw ang pula dilaw at malalim na asul.
Sumasapit na ang gabi. For sure, everyone around the campus is getting ready for the first bonfire and variety show. Balita ko may artista daw na darating.
Napansin ko ang pagkalansing ng windchime ng masagi ito ng pintuan Pumasok si Deo, he looked fresh, his damp black hair was evident. Ang kaninang naka-jersey ay sobrang angas nang tingnan ngayon, maangas rin naman siya kanina pero parang lumalalo habang tumatagal.
He looked good in the monochrome t-shirt and jeans, paired with the whitest shoes. He looked dashing in those. Umiwas ako ng tingin ng dumako ang mga mata niya dito.
Kunwari hindi ko siya nakita.
After he ordered coffee from the counter umupo siya sa harap ko kagaya ng inaahasan. Amoy na amoy ko yung pabango niya. Nilapag ko ang tasa at bagot siyang tiningnan.
"I want peace," I declared.
"Am I a nuisance to you?" tanong niya.
Nagsukatan muna kami ng tingin bago ako sumuko.
Bumuntong hininga ako at tumayo para lumipat sa tabi niya. Nagulat siya sa ginawa ko at napanganga.
His brow arched. "I thought you wanted peace."
"Marami tayong pag-uusapan." I squinted my eyes.
He smiled and put the coffee on the table. "Gusto mo na ako kausapin?"
He faced me, and I felt his full attention on me only.
"Tatabi ba ako sayo kung hindi?" I raised my brows.
"Bakit ang sungit mo ngayon? Do you hate me?" he asked. "Ayaw mo na ba akong makita?" he used the tone that I'm so weak at. Yung sobrang lambing.
Seriously? Saan galing tong mga tanong niya?
"Be clear to me, Donis Amadeo. May patutunguhan ba yang paglalandi mo sa akin?"
Itinikom niya ang bibig at tahimik na pinakikinggan ako. Pinipigilan niya ang ngiti niya.
"I'm confused, honestly," maging ako ay naramdaman ang sariling sungit. "Are you just flirting with me? Tinanong kita noong nakaraan sabi mo, hindi. Your words were clear, Hiñago, but your actions were not," I paused. "Be clear. After you told me na hindi ganon ang intensiyon mo. You called me countless times and I refused to answer them because I don't know how to react. Like, why are you so sweet? Why do you bother me so much? Why do you care so much? Why does it feel like you're making me..." I sighed, deciding not to continue what I was going to say. Kinakapos ako ng hininga.
"Oh...God," he smiled and looked up to the sky outside as if he was having a short prayer by closing his eyes. He then turned to me and rested his chin on his palm. Namumungay ang mata niyang tumingin sa akin. "What did I make you feel?"
I feel like you're making me fall... Itinikom ko ang bibig at pinigilan ang mga salita sa paglabas. It's still early for me to say that. Halos dalawang buwan pa lang.
"Ang dami kong pinagselosan kanina, Noella," kwento niya nang banayad. "Kung hindi lang ako nakapagpigil baka naging bangko rin ako katulad ni Jiro," umiling siya. "But if I'll be kicked out of the game there will be a high chance that we will lose, and if we lose...ikaw na mismo nagsabi-"
"You will stay away from me," I finished his sentence.
He nodded. "I don't want that, so I maintained calm instead," he sipped on the coffee and continued. "So why do you think I feel jealous? Can't you feel it?"
"Bakit hindi mo kinlaro?" I sighed. Tama nga ang hinala ko all this time.
Umiwas ako ng tingin. I bit my lips, crossing my arms to my chest.
He chuckled and avoided my gaze like he was shy. "I needed to pray for it first... I already knew you before you knew me... I've liked you for a long time and... I already prayed for you even before you met me," he said. "That is how intense my feelings are. I want to court you with assurance within myself, because that's what you deserve."
I looked the other way and stopped smiling. My heart skipped a beat, and I don't want him to see my blushing cheeks. But here's the thing though, parang ayaw ko na ligawan niya ako. Ayaw ko nang magpaligaw.
The last one is chaotic.
Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kape. "You've liked me for a long time huh? Since when?"
Binigyan niya lang ako ng misteryoso at matamis na ngiti. "Once upon a time..."
Napangiwi ako at umiling. "So you'll court me..."
"I am already courting you, without your notice..."
"Maganda yan, hindi ka nagpapaalam kung papayag ako o hindi," sarkastiko kong sagot.
"Bakit ayaw mo ba?"
"I'll get to know you better if we stay as friends." I smiled. It will be slow that way.
He scoffed and looked away. "Great... I confessed and now we're friends."
I chuckled and touched his chin to guide him and face me once again. "As of now, we're friends." I corrected.
He sighed, but not in defeat. "Yeah, as of now, but not for long."
BINABASA MO ANG
Cursed Kiss (Curse #1)
RomanceI have always been obedient. Morals, manners, etiquette, class, and intelligence. I've done it. I abided on it like it's a law. But you came, starting with a kiss. All of that didn't matter anymore. Then, there is this curse between us. A long hist...
