Heartful Whispers

Kabanata 28

Feel the same? Does he still like me?

My other hand held on my slacks firmly. I couldn't breathe. I remained looking at his face so close to mine. I couldn't move.

His phone rang. I looked at it on the bed side table. When I looked at him again, he didn't even move.

"Leonel, iyong cellphone mo." Mahina kong wika.

He sighed and reached for it on the bed side table. Inilagay niya iyon sa tainga niya pero agad ding nilayo.

"Yes, I am sick."

My brows shot up. Sinong kausap niya?

"I'm with Coli." He said while looking at me.

Sandaling nag-isip si Leonel habang nakikinig sa kausap niya.

"Alright." He ended the call.

"Andreign's coming."

My eyes widened.

"He'll come for business but I'll just tell him to drive you home."

"Huwag na! Kaya ko na. At saka anong business? Magpapahinga ka."

Seryoso ko siyang pinagmasdan. He gulped and tried to reach for my hand.

"Opo. Pumayag lang ako pumunta siya para utusang ihatid ka. I can't and won't let you go home by yourself."

I pouted. His eyes dropped on my lips.

"I won't allow it, Coli. I can even drive you home if I have to I don't care if I pass out on my way back here."

"Leonel." I called him out warningly.

He pursed his lips.

"Kaya nga po he's coming here. He will drive you home."

"Si.. Hichasen pala? Kumusta na?"

Nagsalubong ang kilay niya. I looked at him innocently.

"He's engaged."

My eyes widened a bit. I didn't expect that. Among the three of them, Hichasen was the most silent. I remember back in high school our classmates were too intimidated by him.

"Papunta na raw ba si Andreign? Kumusta rin siya?"

Kumunot uli ang noo siya bago alanganing tumango.

"Did you miss them?" He sounded tensed and almost sulking.

Lito ko siyang binalingan. "Tinatanong ko lang kung kumusta na sila."

"Andreign's fine." Sobrang tipid niyang sagot na parang napilitan pa.

Tumango ako at lumabas na ng kwarto dala ang baso. Nilagyan ko ulit ng tubig iyon at muling dinala sa kwarto.

Leonel is already lying on the bed when I entered. His head immediately turned to me. He watched me as I put the glass of water on the bed side table.

We looked at each other when we heard the sound of his door password being decoded. Sumilip ako sa pinto ng kwarto. A familiar man with tattoos on his arm put his jacket on one of the couches. I looked more closely when I noticed his military haircut. Doon ako medyo nag-alangan kung siya nga iyon.

Andreign caught my eye. Siya nga! Hindi ko alam kung ngingiti ba ako o ano. Unti unti siyang ngumisi at dumiretso sa kusina. He opened the refrigerator. Umatras na ako mula sa pinto at bumalik sa kama ni Leonel.

"Doon muna ako sa sala para makapag-usap kayo. Huwag ka na muna masyado magtrabaho ha.." bilin ko.

He bit his lip. I saw his chest rose as if something is unbelievable and overwhelming for him.