Ghost of a Nonentity (NOTHING SERIES #2)

Chapter 22

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What else is the reason for feeling this if I am not jealous, right?

Hindi naman ako stupid, I just want to make sure what I really feel before saying the right term. And I'm sure now that that's the right word.

Jealous.

Jealousy.

Nanlaki ang mata ni Gage dahil sa narinig mula sa 'kin. Nang matauhan ay ilang beses itong kumurap.

"You are?!" Gulat na sabi nito.

Halata sa boses niya iyon that he has to clear his throat to fix the tone of his voice.

I bit my lips, "I'm jealous."

"But how? Huh? I don't understand."

I again looked away and pouted a little.

"I'm annoyed with the fact that you carried Nica's folder. And... I'm also annoyed because you..." I bit my lips.

Be honest, Cha. No matter how embarrassing admitting things is, be honest. Kahit hindi ka sanay, you should make use of words.

"I what?" He urged.

He still sounded stunned, it was as if things aren't mixing well inside his head.

"You didn't make any... contact with me since you arrived. I don't like it." The last sentence was almost a whisper.

He didn't answer kaya napalunok ako bago nilingon ito. I saw how he has wide eyes and parted lips. Halata ang gulat sa mata nito.

"You didn't even hold my hand when we were walking." I bit my lips, now embarrassed. 

Ugh, may laman naman ang sinasabi ko diba? And I want him to know this, too. I don't like this feeling. May kirot akong nararamdaman, eh. And he's the only person that can help me with that.

"I... " I bit my lips when he talked. Ilang beses pa itong napakurap bago kumunot ang noo. "Misis ko, the folder is full of news articles. She's asking me if I want to join the debate team."

Umawang ang labi ko sa naging sagot nito. Oh my god, bakit hindi ko naisip iyon? Pareho kami ni Gage hindi parte doon at pareho rin kaming mataas ang ranking.

Unti unti kong naramdaman ang pamumula ng pisngi dahil sa pagkapahiya.

"Also... you said to expect more sweetness from you. I thought you'll hold my hand to, you know, tease me again?" He said cutely, pouting a little even.

I looked at him in disbelief. Hindi nga? Iyon ang naisip niya? He really thinks I'll do some... first moves now? 

"P-Pero..." I wanted to defend myself but nothing even comes to mind.

Kita ko ang pag angat ng kilay nito bago ngumisi. He looked at my hands before holding both and softly caressing the thumb part. Ramdam ko ang pag init ng pisngi dahil sa nangyayari.

"I'm sorry for not doing this a little earlier. I didn't know my Misis can miss my touch a lot and even sulk because of it." He teased.

Bumusangot ako sa narinig bago marahang hinila ang kamay palayo dito. He chuckled and indeed let go pero agad namang bumaba ang labi para madampian ako ng halik. He kissed my shoulder.

"Don't tease me." I whispered.

He chuckled bago lumayo, "Fine, we'll go home now."

"Saan?" Tanong ko ng ayusin na nito ang seatbelt ko bago umupo na ng ayos.

"My condo. I have a presentation to make, let's go out after? I'll book a reservation for tonight."

He now started driving.