Chase Series #1: Chasing Dreams

Chapter 14

Time lost

"Ciao, Ash and Josh!" Ani Ate Lany nang mag-out na kami.

"Bye, Ate!" I waved at her before getting inside Ate Jersh's car. Umikot si Josh saka pumasok na sa driver's seat.

"Seatbelt." Paalala ni Josh. I just nodded and grabbed the seatbelt beside me at saka inayos ito. He was oblivious in watching me wear the seatbelt kaya pinaningkitan ko ito ng mga mata. Nag-iwas ito ng tingin kaya napangiti ako ngunit nang bumaling ulit ito sa gawi ko ay agarang naging simangot ang ngiti ko.

He started the car's engine and off we go. It was a long silence so I decided to talk a bit... "Bakit...hindi si Ate Jersh ang nagdadrive nito?"

"Matatakutin. Napaka-nerbyosa." He answered, feeding my curiosity.

"Oh. Eh kailan ka natutong mag-drive? You only know how to drive a motorcycle back then, diba?"

He smirked pero kalauna'y tumango na rin. "2nd year college. Went to a driving school sa kabilang bayan."

"Naks."

"Pero, you're still driving your old motorcycle, right?"

"Of course." He glanced at my side. "Do you want to ride it with me some time?" Dagdag niya na ikina-awang ng labi ko. Which brings me back to my original topic of discussion sana...now that we're all alone.

"Did you...did you two already broken up?" I asked feeling the lump on my throat.

I heard him sigh. "Yes, Ash."

I nodded. Feeling the heartbreak for Annaliese. My eyes sting a bit so I closed it and exhaled. "Is it safe to say that you're pursuing me now?" Ayokong mag-assume, pero kasi.

"Yes, if it's fine with you." Baling niya ulit sa gawi ko. This time, mas matagal ang tinging ibinigay niya sa akin.

"Pwede bang huwag muna? Bilang respeto man lang sa kay Annaliese." Hindi ako naniniwala sa 3-month-rule pero hindi na man masamang sundin ito. I know mahirap ito kay Annaliese kaya kahit iyon man lang, maibigay namin sa kanya.

Pero minsan, napapaisip ako. Nakasira ba ako ng magandang relasyon? Iyon ang bumababagabag sa utak ko. Hindi ko naman inagaw si Josh pero kung iisipin, kung hindi ako bumalik, edi sana sila pa rin at masaya.

To my surprise, he just nodded and did not comment. I guess,this is also hard for Josh. "Pero pwede bang mag-text o call man lang?" He negotiated.

I chuckled at his proposition. "Okay lang."

"Thank you,"

"You're welcome?" I muttered.

"Bakit patanong?" Natatawa niyang tanong.

"Eh hindi ko sure anong isasagot?!" I said pinching his side.

"Ouch! Di pa naman tayo ulit, pero ramdam ko na ulit mga kurot and prolly mga hampas mo rin," Natatawa pa rin nitong saad.

Natigilan ako. Old habits die hard nga talaga. "Sorry."

"Hmmm?"

"Sa pagkurot ko." Sabay napatungo ako. I felt ashamed.

"What? It's fine. Kurutin mo pa ako?" Bulalas niya sabay lahad pa sa kanyang braso habang nakangisi.

"Hmp. Bully."

"Ako pa?"

I pouted. "Oo nalang. Ako nga ang bully," tatawa-tawa pa rin ito. Saya ka Josiah Aurelius? Amp.

We arrived at our house in no time. Pinagbuksan pa ako nito ng pinto. "Thank you ulit. Sa paghatid and pagtulong gumawa ng cotton balls."

"You're always welcome, Ash." He said sincerely which made me smile. He gave a smile as well. "Pwede bang mayakap ka? Yakap lang Ash. Na miss lang kita." Sabay taas pa ng kamay, nangangako.

"Okay." And as soon as he heard my permission, he closed the gap in between us and hugged me real tight. I hugged him back as well. I missed him. His warmth and scent. Ang bango pa rin talaga. Pero teka, mabango pa ba ako? Shet, galing akong 12 hour duty. I probably smell!

Kamalas ako pero hinigpitan niya ang yakap. 5 minutes pa, Ash," Ngumiwi ako. "Baka mabaho na ako? Galing pa akong trabaho eh." I whispered at his ear.

"You smell good, as always,"

"Eh niloloko mo ako, Josh."

"Of course not. You still smell sweet and heavenly."

"Weh? Kahit haggard galing work?" He chuckled and whispered something to my ear. "Yes, love." 

"Hmp. Bola!" Kamalas na ito sa yakap namin kaya nakita kong nagtaas-baba ang mga kilay nito.

Hinampas ko ito. "Umalis ka na nga!" Pagtataboy ko rito. "Ouch. Pagkatapos mo akong gamitin?"

"Hoy ha. Di kita pinilit."

"I know, right. Sige lang, willing naman akong magpagamit basta ikaw. Lakas mo kaya sa akin."

"Pangit naman pakinggan nun Josiah Aurelius."

"Sige lang, gwapo naman ang nagsabi Asha Miami." Then, he winked.

"Oo na, oo na. Uwi ka na. Bye! Thank you!" Sabay tulak ko rito papunta sa driver side. He was chuckling as I pushed him. "So, gwapo nga ako?"

"Shhhhh. Good morning, Josh!" I said as I successfully placed him sa seat niya.

"Good morning as well, love." He greeted back na ikinapula ng cheeks ko. Kinurot ko ang pisngi niya. "Love ka diyan!"

"Ouch. W-wove naman talaga." Halos di niya masaktong bigkasin ang salita dahil sa pagkurot ko. He held my hand na nakakurot sa pisngi niya kaya natigilan ako.

"Oh? Hawak lang iyan ah. Natigil ka na." Pang-aalaska niya.

"Sige. No reply ka sa akin," pananakot ko. Nanlaki ang mga nito kaya ako naman ang napangisi. "Oh?"

"I'll shut up now and go." He declared kaya I patted his hair. "Good decision, bye."

"See you soon, love."

"See you, Josh. Ingat sa pagdadrive," paalala ko.