That Neighbor of Mine (BxB)

Kabanata 28

Kelly

I'm lost in words while I was looking up at him, standing in front of me. I was surprised to see him here tonight. Probably, he's invited... but of all places, dito pa talaga kami muling magkikita. 

He looked different... physically, yes. Mas lalong lumaki ang pangangatawan niya kumpara noong huling kita namin. I remembered our gym date before and I realized he must have constantly gone to gym. Ako naman ay tuluyang nahinto sa pagyo-yoga pagkatapos magconfess sa kanya. How petty.

Pinagmasdan ko siya at pinasadahan ng tingin ang kabuuan. Not checking him out but just noticing the difference in him. Medyo humaba ang buhok niya na lagpas na sa mga mata nito. His shoulders are broad and his face features became more sharp. Still looking so handsome, frankly.

"F-francis..." I mumbled.

He smiled as he slid both his hands inside his pants' pockets. "Yeah, how's it been?" He still looked that kind, gentle, and approachable Francis I knew before.

Napakurap-kurap ako nang marinig ulit ang malalim niyang boses. It has been a while, really.

"U-uh, good... I mean amazing. H-how about you?" nauutal kong sagot. Suddenly, I felt awkwardness between us. Not because of some romantic tension but because of the embarrassment I felt remembering what I said the last time.

"That's good to know. Happy for you... Well, me, it's been tough honestly," he said and chuckled a bit. My eyes widened a bit. Napakurap-kurap ako. He motioned his hand beside me, asking if he can sit. I was hesitant at first, lalo na't mag-isa kami ngayon rito. Kung may makakakita sa amin, especially if isa sa mga kaibigan ko, alam kong iba ang iisipin nila. 

Nonetheless, I still nodded at him. Avoiding being rude to him. He smiled again and sat beside me. Sinundan ko siya ng tingin sa pag-upo at nagkasalubong ang titig namin kaya agad akong nag-iwas. 

Tumikhim ako at napalunok. Hindi ko alam paano maibsan ang awkwardness na nasa ere namin ngayon. Sobrang nahihiya lang talaga ako. "So, uh, why it has been tough for you?"

Kung ako noon, magkakaroon siguro ako ng ibang interpretation sa sinabi niya. Kasi, why would it be tough for him after we part ways? But now, I couldn't do it anymore. 

He remained silent after my question and I heard him sighed. Sinulyapan ko siya at nakayuko ito na parang nahihirapang magsabi. I immediately realized I was prying. "Sorry for prying. Just forget that..."

Umiling siya. "No, it's fine..." nag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin at ngumiti. "It's just that..." he drew a deep breath, "It's hard to explain."

My brows shot up at that. I bit my lip as I remained staring at him looking like he is carrying something heavy inside. Hindi ko alam kung paano siya ico-comfort dahil nagdadalawang isip ako kung tama bang icomfort ko siya o hindi. Mapait itong ngumiti at umiling ulit. "Uh, nevermind." Tumawa siya kahit wala namang nakakatawa habang ako naman ay hindi alam ang gagawin.

"I-it will be okay. Everything will be alright," sabi ko nalang sa kanya dahil ang awkward kung mananatili lang akong tahimik. 

"Yeah, I hope so..." he said lowly.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin sa kanya. Now that he was here, I suddenly remembered his text earlier today. Gusto ko sanang siayng tanungin tungkol doon pero nahihiya ako kaya tahimik lang kami. Medyo napapatagal na rin ako rito sa labas kaya nagdesisyon na akong pumasok na.

"Uh, mauuna na ako sa'yo, huh? Hinahanap na siguro ako ng mga kaibigan ko sa loob. Nice seeing you again," paalam ko rito at tumayo na. Agad itong nag-angat ng tingin sa akin na bahgayang gulat ang mga mata.