The Beautiful Thing (Lucky Girlies #1)

TBT 70

Anton and I both decided to meet before lunch. 

I think we really have grown to each other that our day is not complete if we don't meet even for a minute. Our classic friendship. 

We both ordered Ramen and he paid for it. He said it was his treat since I fed him brownies and cookies for his breakfast. I agreed with him, though. It's not like he lets me pay for anything when we're together. 

"What's going on in that pretty little head of yours?" He asked. Nalipat ang tingin ko mula sa kamay ko na may hawak ng chopsticks papunta sa kaniya. I blinked at him, "Huh?" 

"You're in deep thought so I asked about what you're thinking," he repeated his question even though we both know I heard him the first time around. Ibinaba ko ang chopsticks ng maayos bago magsalita, "My replies kanina, that's what I was thinking," sabi ko. 

"Hmm," tumango tango pa siya sa akin, "I want to talk to you about that, too." 

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay, "Weh?" 

He chuckled, "Ayaw maniwala?" 

I smiled inwardly. 

"No, hindi naman. Actually, I'd be more worried if you have no questions about it." 

"Well," he breathed in while putting both his elbows on the table and making both of his hands linked to each other facing both of us. "You said you were scared of commitment but you're the first one to make a move, to confess, to publicly announce it, to make people know you admire me... or like me, but you're scared of commitment." 

"Ah, that, sabi na nga ba magtatanong ka e," ngumiti pa ako sa kaniya. 

"Honestly, I'm really scared. Like I said kanina sa text, this world is a scary place. It used to be a better place for me until I saw it firsthand from my acquaintances' experiences, from people on television, on the internet, it's everywhere. It's just... how can I explain it to you without scaring you?" 

Kumunot ang noo niya, "Scare me?" 

Tumango ako, "Kasi you're not ready, right? We're both not ready and that's okay. That's why we're taking it slow nga," I said to him. 

"I get your point. I think we don't feel the same yet, but I'm getting close there," pag amin niya naman. 

"Really?" Napataas ako ng kilay. This is new. 

"Yes, I think I'm getting there that's why I also opened the topic earlier." 

"Thank you for taking initiative, really," sabi ko naman. 

He smiled at me, the usual big one while his eyes sparkled while looking at me. I still can't fathom how that snobby guy from Starbucks LA turned into this manly softie I sometimes eat meals with. 

"So, ayun nga..." Pagbabalik ko sa topic namin, "I'm scared but I'm a risk taker and I find you to be one of a hell big worth the risk." 

"You do?" He asked with innocent curiosity. Tumango ako sa kaniya, "I wouldn't be spending my time and energy with you if I didn't see you as one, Anton." 

Nakita ko siyang humugot ng malalim na hininga na para bang kagulat-gulat ang sinabi ko. Sa loob-loob ko ay natatawa na ako.

"May tanong ka pa?" 

"Actually, yes," he said. 

"Go on, shoot," pag anyaya ko sa kaniya na sabihin ito. 

"Kaya mo pang mag hintay?" 

"Yes," I said without even thinking of it first. So not me. And the funny thing is, I'm not even scared that I don't sound like the old me, who tries to get into relationships after being wrecked in a situationship every three months, at all. 

"Okay," tumango siya sa gawi ko. 

I gave him a small smile, "Ikaw ba? Do you want me to wait?" 

"I'm enjoying your presence and I like having you near me all the time, so... yes." 

"Good, because you wouldn't have it in any other way," sabi ko. 

Tinapos namin ang noodles na in-order namin pati na rin ang Tonkatsu na we added after we talk about us. Tumingin ako sa cellphone ko na naka patong lang sa lamesa ng kinakainan namin. Thirty minutes before eleven. 

Tumingin ako sa aking kasama, "Rest room muna ako, ah." 

He nodded at me and I took that as a sign to stand up and head my way to the rest room. Bago ako makalayo ay naramdaman ko ang pamilyar na kamay ni Anton sa aking palapulsuhan. Nilingon ko ang lalaking kasama ko, "Bakit?"

"Bakit pala tatlo yung box kanina?" 

"Kasi I like you, duh."