HE Who Saw the Deep

Chapter 25

"Ano ang gusto mong kainin?" he asked when I held the menu.

Magkatabi kaming dalawa habang naghihintay ang waitress ng order namin.

I glanced at the shrimp. I want to it eat. "We'll have the same as before?" he spat, pertaining to the shrimp I was staring at.

Maliit akong tumango at tinuro ang banana split at isang Avocado shake. He nodded as the waitress jot down the food we ordered. He also ordered shake on his taste. "Pasta as well,"

Tahimik kami pag-alis ng waitress. I can feel his gaze on me pero inabala ko nalang ang sarili sa tanawin.

"I want to tell you something. . ." he was nervous but managed to hide it with his firm expression.

Nilingon ko siya. "Please, kakain pa tayo. Don't ruin our appetite." I spat, dismissing his eagerness to bring up the topic.

He sighed as his tongue pushed the insides of his cheek. He looked ahead as if agreeing to what I said.

Tahimik kaming kumain. Kumakain na ako nang binalatan niya lahat ang shrimp bago nagsimulang kumain. Unti-unti tuloy akong napatigil para hintayin siya kaya mahina kong binaba ang kutsara't tinidor.

"Kumain ka na, babalatan ko pa 'to. . ." He said as he put some on my plate after he skinned some of the shrimp.

Seryoso niyang binabalatan ang mga iyon. I stifled a smile when I remembered I taught him that. Maarte ko kasing binabalatan ang shrimp kaya tinuruan ko siya.

I'd cut off the head, then skin it, then I'd slice its spine to completely clean it.

"Sabay na tayo," Sabi ko na hindi niya na pinansin.

When we were already eating our desserts, he looked at me and held my left wrist. Napatingin tuloy ako doon. The bracelet we got as free lingered on my vision. Kuminang iyon at dahil hawak ng kaliwang kamay niya ang kamay ko ay nagdikit iyon.

"You wanna watch the City lights?" He whispered softly.

Alam kong nakatitig siya sa akin pero hindi ko siya sinuklian ng tingin. I nodded and let him lead the way for me.

Naglakad pa kami ng kaunti para puntahan ang parteng wala masyadong tao. When we were all alone without anyone who might disturb us, I started to talk.

"You wanted to show me something. . . " I trailed off.

"Uh-huh," ngumuso siya at tinuro ang syudad sa unahan.

I looked back at him confusedly. He smiled at himself as he looked ahead. "Everyone will see your designed building around that area sooner. Know that I will always be your constant. . . even when you think I am not around." ngayon binaba niya ang tingin sa akin.

I wished to have a project with him. Pero ngayon, sobrang maling timing lang kung sasabihin ko iyon. I wouldn't also hope that he'll be my workmate after I break up with him. I know he will excel not just in academics but also in his profession, just as he is to me, I will be his greatest supporter even without me by his side.

Saglit pa kaming natahimik. Wala akong makapang salita para sagutin siya sa sinabi.

I looked ahead. I'm currently overflowing with emotions. When I started getting uncomfortable at our silence, I cleared my throat, ready to face it all.

Tiningala ko siya. "I want us to-"

I was cut off. "Look ahead. " Ang naglalambing niyang boses ay hindi ko maignora.

I saw the tiny lights that is visible up here. Sa sobrang dami noon, nagliliwanag kahit nasa malayo kami. The city looked busy even when it's almost midnight. Ang gandang tanawin ang siyudad sa tahimik at madilim na lugar, kung hindi lang ako pinapangunahan ng emosyon ay mas maa-appreciate ko ang katahimikan dito. However, the silence is waking my inner thoughts to come out alive from my mouth.