Pursuing from the Shore (Sun Rays Series #2)

CHAPTER 10

Chapter 10

His siren eyes captivated me like an intense draw of the ocean's currents. With each passing millisecond, I found myself drowning—lost in the tidal sea of his gaze.

"O-Okay ka lang, Red?"

That halted me from my reverie. I didn't realize that I had been staring at him for too long. As I looked away, I shortly nodded, pretending to clear my throat to repress the heat in my face.

He just complimented me... But why did the impact make me totally lose myself for a few seconds?

"I'm alright," I replied in a low voice, avoiding his eyes. "Why did you draw me, anyway? And... what is this sketchpad for?" I managed to ask despite being so nervous.

I saw how his Adam's apple moved. "Dedicated para sa 'yo."

"Why?"

"I..." His mouth remained half-opened, as if he was trying to say something but chose not to. "Wala lang."

That made me confused. He's trying to say something, I know it. But what makes him so hesitant about it?

Mas gugustuhin ko na lang yata na inisin o sirain niya ang araw ko... kaysa gan'to na parang ang awkward namin sa isa't isa.

I never want to assume.

He's been hanging out around me lately because, yes... we are friends right? Hindi niya naman kasi nililinaw sa 'kin.

As Edorina mentioned before, I was getting more and more surrounded by people. And I am very delighted that, despite my not-very-social personality, my bandmates are treating me with genuineness. And then I have my best friend Edo, and now Asther who just popped up out of nowhere. But with this dummy right in front of me, I could not really say that we are friends.

Because being near him leads me to feel a rush of emotions, but it's not uncomfortable. It's as if each second with him unlocks something new within me, something I didn't know was there. And I can't help but wish for more of this emotion, as if I want to go deeper... and be drown into whatever it is.

I nodded shortly before I decided to stand up, pinagtuunan na lang ng pansin ang mga na-print na. "I think tapos na 'to. We can go back to school now."

Inayos-ayos ko ang mga papel. I decided to just arrange them later at school because I could feel someone's stare right now.

Pretending that I am still busy, I reached for my bag and then opened it. Naalala kong kailangan ko palang magbayad kaya kinuha ko na ang pera na pinag-ambagan namin kanina nina Edo.

"Here's my payment, Davin." Inilahad ko ang aking kamay na mayroong hawak na buong two hundred pesos.

He waved his hand a bit, refusing my payment so I gave him a confused look. "What are you doing? Accept it, dummy. Bayad namin 'to."

"Okay lang, Red, hindi na kailangan," pakikipagtalo niya.

I sighed, surrendering. Feeling ko kahit anong pagpupumilit ko sa lokong 'to ay hindi talaga ako uubra. We fixed ourselves first, as we prepped to leave.

I don't want to feel awkward around him. I guess, ang mas better na gawin ay umakto na lang na normal. Right, I shouldn't worry myself about those thoughts earlier, it will only lead me into more confusion that I'm afraid I may not be able to handle.

"Davin," tawag ko.

Papasok na kami ngayon sa gate ng school. We didn't even notice that we're here already dahil masyado talaga kaming awkward sa isa't isa.

"Hmm?" He looked at me.

"Are we friends?"

Nakita ko ang paglunok niya. It's better to ask, right? Kaysa naman maguluhan ako.