Past's Beautiful Present [UNDER EDITING]

26

26. Unknown.

Brian carried Daren. I stood there in shock, not knowing what to do.

How could I forget that he's a friend of Diego?!

"Can you join us po?" Aya ni Daren kay Brian habang nakakarga siya sa kanya.

Napaatras ako.

I didn't get to hear his answer because all I can hear is the fast and loud beat of my heart!

I never thought I would run into him after that meeting in court! Damn it!

I pursed my lips and kept my distance. Pakiramdam ko sa akin lang awkward dahil ako lang ang may alam.

Hindi naman niya ako naalala.

"Ninang!" Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Daren, trying hard not to glance at the man carrying him. "Can Ninong Bwian join us po?" Aniya.

Sinubukan kong ngumiti at tipid na tumango.

It's not like mapapaalis ko siya lalo na at Ninong din pala siya ni Daren. And I shouldn't be dramatic over something only I know!

Napapalakpak pa si Daren at humagikgik. "Yehey!"

Napangiti na lang ako sa ka-cutan niya.

I don't have the heart to ruin his smile. Parang close talaga siya kay Brian.

Nagpababa si Daren sa pagkakabuhat niya kay Brian. I saw how Brian held the boy's hand gently while I kept my distance behind them.

Napahiya ko ang sarili ko sa huli naming tagpo kaya wala talaga akong mukhang maiharap sa kanya.

Napahinto ako when I felt a pair of eyes on me. Tumingin ako sa paligid pero wala naman akong nakita.

Maybe I'm just imagining things.

Bawat hakbang ko ay dinig na dinig ko ang tambol ng puso ko.

Eh paano namang hindi ka kakabahan? Sa presensya pa lang niya sumisikip na ang dibdib ko. Nanunumbalik sa akin ang lahat. Iyong mga akala kong nakalimutan ko nararamdaman ko nanaman na parang kahapon lang nangyari ang lahat.

I lowered my head to shake my thoughts away. I suddenly halted when I felt a warm hand on my wrist pulling me aside because I almost bumped into someone!

Mas nagtambol ang puso ko. I stepped backwards, scared that he might hear my heart just because of his simple touch that made me feel damn electricity. Pakiramdam ko umakyat ang dugo ko sa mukha ng salubungin ko ang mga mata niya. He looked so gentle like how he used to look at me. . .

Kaagad akong umiwas ng tingin. Nahihibang nanaman 'ata ako.

Never assume unless said otherwise, Nahtalliey.

Kaagad niyang tinanggal ang kanyang kamay. "I'm sorry, did I make you uncomfortable?"

Umiling ako, hindi makatingin sa kanyang mga mata at lumayo nang bahagya sa kanya. "No, I'm fine. Thank you."

It's my fault that I wasn't looking in my way, anyway.

Nagpatuloy kami sa paglalakad, I can see him glancing at me but I didn't look back. I kept my eyes straight in my way while keeping my distance.