Heartful Whispers

Kabanata 30

I woke up due to severe coldness I'm feeling. A faint shred of light from outside made my sleepy eyes widened. I moved in shock. A thick coat is covering my body, and it's still night.

I slept in the car. When I turned my head left, my heart skipped a beat upon the sight of Leonel looking back at me.

Kanina pa ba siya gising?

Malamang! Nagmamaneho siya hindi pwedeng natulog o nakatulog siya!

He's been watching me while I was asleep?

"Sorry.. nakatulog ako. Anong oras na?"

"Eleven."

I gasped. "Maglalaba pa ako!"

Binaba ko ang coat niya. For some reason, my face heated. He put his coat to cover me.

His brows knitted.

"Anong maglalaba? Aren't you supposed to rest and sleep now?"

"Maggogrocery ako bukas. Kailangan kong makapaglaba ngayon."

"Rest, Coli. Where's your clothes? I'll pay for the laundry."

"Huh?!"

"You wash your clothes yourself?" Parang gulat na gulat niyang tanong.

I sighed and looked at him. I rested my head and crossed my arms. Hay naku.

"Opo, ako po naglalaba ng damit ko." I said mockingly.

His lips parted. He swallowed hard and tried to make his face look unfazed.

"Naranasan ko na maglaba." He said calmly.

"Uhuh?" Sus.

Unti unti siyang ngumisi at inilapit ang mukha sa akin. Sinandal niya na rin ang ulo headrest habang nakatingin sa akin. He also crossed his arms, as if completely imitating me.

"Marunong po ako," he also said mockingly.

I rolled my eyes. He smiled sweetly at me.

"Our mother taught us to wash our clothes at a young age. What I meant was, you're already working, Coli. You're already tired when you get home. You can just bring it to the laundry shop."

"Magbabayad pa ako, kaya ko namang maglaba."

"I can pay for it. What else do you need?"

"Wala, Leonel."

"Maglalaba ka pa? May magagawa ba ako para hindi na? Just rest please." He tucked my unruled hair behind my ears.

I pursed my lips. Hmm.

"Sige, susubukan ko na lang bukas pagtapos ko maggrocery kung kakayanin."

"What time will you go? Samahan kita."

"Maggrocery?"

"Yes. I'll help you so it'd be faster."

Tumaas ang kilay ko. Alam ko na ang hahantungan nito. He will insist on paying for everything! Kaya..

"Hindi pwede."

"Bakit?" He demanded sadly.

He unbuckled his seatbelt and moved closer to me. I swallowed hard. His face zoomed in and I could barely blink.

"Please? Hindi ako magulo, promise."

"S-Sige na nga. Huwag kang makikisali sa bayad ah."

Umawang ang labi niya at tumaas ang dalawang kilay. May gusto siyang sabihin pero ipinagdikit na lang ang labi at tumango.