ETB #1: Lost in Blank Stares

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

"Are you blushing?" Stefano asked, after pulling me over to a nearby bench.

Oo, malamang! Hinawakan mo ba naman ang kamay ko! Kung nasa apartment lang talaga ako ngayon, gumulong-gulong na ako sa kilig.

I quickly averted my gaze, trying to calm my racing heart. "No, of course not," I said, crossing my arms over my chest, hoping to appear unaffected.

Stefano chuckled, halatang hindi naniniwala sa akin. He set the pie on the bench between us, his eyes studying my face with that familiar intensity that always made my stomach do somersaults.

"You're a terrible liar, Caspian."

Aba, ang feeling nito! Assuming, parehas lang sila noong lalaki kanina na nang-iirap. Gusto ko nga sanang maki-chismis sa lalaking 'yun pero baka anong isipin ni Stefano.

Pero, tangina. Sa dami ng pagkakataon para mapansin niya ang galaw ko, bakit ngayon pa? I shifted uncomfortably on the bench, unsure of what to do with my hands. Should I put them on my lap? Cross them again?

He sighed, opening the box to reveal the perfectly baked pie inside. "Well, let's see what your friend made," he said, thankfully shifting his focus.

He cut a small slice and offered it to me first.

"Ano? Bakit ako ang unang kakain?"

"Because," he replied, a teasing smirk forming on his lips, "you're my taste tester. I need to know if it's safe to eat."

Gago? Anong akala niya kay Namyy, lalasunin siya? Well... ako nga, naghihinala if may gayuma ba.

I rolled my eyes, but I took the slice anyway. Stefano, watching me with that stupidly handsome smirk, made my face feel even warmer.

I took a bite, letting the sweet and tangy flavors settle on my tongue. "Masarap," I admitted, swallowing. "She did a good job."

Stefano nodded and took a slice for himself. He took a bite and closed his eyes, a small hum of satisfaction escaping his lips.

"Not bad," he said, licking a bit of filling from his lips.

I quickly looked away, trying not to stare at how his lips moved. Putek! Bakit ba kasi ganyan ang mga labi niya?

I glanced at the pie I was holding and then back at his lips. Alin kaya ang mas masarap?

I shook my head and bit my own lip. Gosh, hindi ba ako itatakwil ni Namyy bilang kaibigan pag nalaman niyang para kaming nagda-date ni Stefano dito? Well, it really does look like one.

May mga estudyanteng napapadaan at napapatingin sa amin, may mga kuryusong mukha na nagtataka kung bakit kasama ko ang university president. Tiningnan ko si Stefano, na parang wala namang pake sa mga tumitingin sa amin, kaya nagkibit-balikat na lang ako. What's the big deal, anyway?

"So," he began, pulling me out of my thoughts, "this friend of yours, Namyy, she really likes me?"

I nearly choked on my third bite. Masarap kasi ang pie, nagdududa na ako kung si Namyy ba talaga ang nagluto o si Shyra.

"Uh, yeah," I managed to say after clearing my throat. "She's had a crush on you for a while now."

He looked thoughtful, staring down at the pie. "But you..." He trailed off, his gaze shifting to me. "What about you?"