Falling for the Criminal

Chapter 8: Memories

"Kelssey."

My eyes widened when I suddenly saw Ken in our living room. Kakauwi lang namin ni Lazarus at siya ang bumungad pagpasok namin.

"Ken, y-you're here." I uttered, gulat pa rin.

He smiled at me. "Yeah, I'm sorry for not telling you beforehand that I'm coming tonight. I actually tried to call you pero bago na yata ang number mo."

I pursed my lips. That's right. Nagbago nga pala ako ng number years ago after he left.

"It's okay." I answered and gave him a sincere smile.

Siguro nga ito na ang tamang pagkakataon para kausapin ko siya about what happened back then. I should apologize to him already.

I sighed and took a step towards him, ngunit bago ko pa magawa iyon ay bigla kong naalala na nasa likod ko nga pala si Lazarus.

Gosh, bahagya akong napapikit. It's gonna be really awkward kung makikinig pa siya. Alam niya iyon, but why isn't he leaving already?

I tried to break a smile no'ng nilingon ko siya.

"The dinner must be ready, kumain ka na muna, Laz." I uttered.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang makitang parang bahagya siyang natigilan, then his face darkened after that.

"I'm staying here." Aniya sa isang matigas na tono.

I frowned. What the hell is wrong with him?

"No need. Mag-uusap lang muna kami ni Ken."

He raised a brow. And there I realized na ayaw niya akong iwan kasi iniisip niyang baka may gawing masama sa akin si Ken?

What? That's funny. Pamamahay ko 'to. And Ken is not a stranger to me. Siya pa nga ang stranger sa akin.

I sighed. "Don't worry about it. I'm gonna be fine. He's a friend."

Nanatiling matigas ang ekspresyon niya. Napailing ako. Ano ba naman 'yan, he's pissing me off again.

"Please go, Laz. Kailangan na talaga naming mag-usap." I added with my pleading voice.

Nakahinga naman ako nang maluwag no'ng unti-unti siyang tumalikod. Ngunit 'di naman nakatakas sa akin ang matalim niyang tingin kay Ken bago tuluyang umalis, like he's warning him or something.

That's unnecessary but I hate that I suddenly found it heartwarming to think that he might care about me.

Gosh, I must be really crazy!

I shook my head and tried to get that thought inside my mind bago ko hinarap si Ken na nakatingin na ngayon sa akin habang nakaupo sa sofa.

He looked so good-looking with his kind of messy brown hair. Dati pa naman talaga ay gwapong-gwapo na siya kaya crush na crush ko nga simula elementary pa kami. Lalo na't tipo ko talaga ang katulad niya na mestizo at may tall and lean body, plus matalino pa.

I smiled bago ko siya tinabihan.

"Sorry about my bodyguard, masyadong protective dahil sa bilin ni daddy." I apologetically said.

"It's okay, Kels. Gano'n din ang gagawin ko kung ako ang bodyguard mo." He sighed. "Kaya naiintindihan ko siya."

Tumango ako at ipinagdikit ang kamay ko.

"Kumusta? It's been a while." I asked as I continued noticing the things that changed in him.

Ngumiti rin siya. "Fine, I guess. I already graduated."

"That's great," I responded. "I always know you can do it. Ikaw pa ba. Ang talino mo e."

He waved his hand in front of me like he's suddenly getting shy because of my compliment. Ganitong-ganito rin talaga siya dati and it's heartwarming to see someone retaining their habits even if years already passed.