The Gaps Between Us - La Croix Series 1

Chapter 7

Almost one month had passed. Duke's routine didn't change. He still went to the resto-bar to help me with some of my works. Imbis na mainis si Ma'am Anizza tila natuwa pa. Hinayaan na lang namin sya ni Ymir manggulo sa counter. With Duke's appearance and appeal, the customers we entertained got doubled.

Pag-umaga naman pumupunta sya sa bahay para sabay kaming pumunta ng school. Maganda ang mood ni Tita pag naabutan nya si Duke. Alam nya kasing mayaman ito. Hindi naman pumapalya si Duke sa pagdala ng pagkain. Sinabihan ko na syang wag ng magdala pero nauuwi lang sa pagtatalo kaya hinayaan ko na lang.

I also started my work in the cafeteria. May mga nakasama na kaming ibang scholars. Every TTHS ako habang si Rica ay MWF. Kahit doon ay nanggugulo si Duke. Hinayaan naman sya sa loob ng kusina. Nitong huli ko lang nalaman na sila ang may-ari ng school. Hindi na ako nakakasabay kela Rella pag-lunch pag TTHS dahil nga pag lunch break mas madaming tao. Hindi ko pwedeng iwan doon.

Dahil Monday ngayon wala akong pasok sa cafeteria.

"Here eat it" Duke gave me a burger. Dahil alam kong pag-aawayan lang namin ang pagtanggi kaya kinuha ko na. Napansin ko lagi akong dinadalhan ni Duke ng kung ano anong pagkain. He wiped some stains from the side of my lips that made me blush. My stomach also felt a little ticklish. Minsan nagugulat na lang ako kay Duke. He made some gestures that only couples do. He also carried my bag every time we went home. Ano ba kami?

I halted my stride as we approached the bulletin board. I got curious. The area was filled with students.

"Acquaintance party is coming"

Dahil nga medyo nacurious ako lumapit ako ng bahagya. Napangiwi ako ng biglang may nakasiko sa dibdib ko at lalaki iyon! Hindi naman nya sinasadya pero masakit.

I gasped when Duke strongly pushed the guy. "Be careful man!" Galit na asik ni Duke. His jaw is clenching and I can also see his fist closing tightly. His frowning and angry face reminds me of the time in the bar. Akmang lalapit ulit sya ng pinigilan ko na. Duke has anger issues.

The man froze when he realized the man in front of him. "Sorry" nakayukong sabi nya kay Duke. Bumaling sya sakin "Sorry, Miss" tumalikod na ito at nagmamadaling umalis.

"Di mo na sana tinulak. Okay lang naman, Di naman nya sinasadya" baling ko sa kay Duke. He frowned. His face darken even more. He is so protective of me. Ilang beses ko ng nakitang muntik na syang makipagbugbugan pag ako ang dahilan. Inaamin ko kinikilig ako. Sino ba ang hindi kikiligin? Marmaduke Cross na yan. Pero minsan sumusubra din sya.

He gritted his teeth. "Nasiko nya ang dibdib mo? Tapos okay lang?" he rakes his hair angrily. Medyo naninibago pa talaga ako pag naririnig kong nagtatagalog si Duke.

"Ni hindi ko pa nga nahahawakan yan!" my eyes widened as I blushed really hard. I also heard gasps.  At ng marealized nya din siguro ang sinabi nya bigla syang namula. Even his ears are blushing!

"Oh, Shit. Come on let's go" hindi nya na ako inantay at nauna na syang maglakad. I was left there blushing while hearing the whispers around,

Jusko, Duke ano ba 'yon?

When I entered the classroom. I saw Duke on our usual seat. Hindi ko nga alam kung lalapit ba ako. Pero lumapit na din ako. Magagalit na naman kasi sya pag kay Brix ako tumabi. Nang nakaraan ng ginawa ko yun ilang beses nya akong inirapan.

I still don't know what kind of relationship we have. Having Duke is like a night to me. It brings peace and tranquility. Mga ilang beses din naulit ang halikan namin. Just like before the sound of our heartbeats understands each other's rhythm. The butterflies in my stomach still dance the same. These are all foreign to me.