Blueprints of a Life with you

3

I didn't stop liking Philander Lorenzo Andres Constante. In fact, I started liking him more. For the past months, I learned a lot about him. I learned almost half of him.

Well, we only hang out when there's an event. I am still an active volunteer of the student council. Sa ilang buwan naming magkasama, marami na rin ang napag-usapan namin. Nasabi ko na rin na naging crush na crush ko si Jeremiah, iyong kaibigan nila ni David.

Wala raw akong pag-asa ro'n. Jeremiah has been eyeing a famous girl in their batch. Kaya wala, wala talaga akong pag-asa. Tinanggap ko nalang talaga. Lalo na libang na libang na ako dahil kay Phil.

"Hi! Ano 'yan?" Tinuro ko ang hawak ni Phil na nasa styro.

"My lunch," tipid na sagot niya.

I wasn't even asking if it was his meal! I was just asking what food was that! Pero okay lang, at least sumagot siya sa akin.

"Hindi mo ako tatanungin kung nag-lunch na ako?"

"We're not friends for me to that, Larissa." Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko at umaktong nasasaktan. Ganiyan talaga siya! Masakit magsalita!

"That kinda' hurt, bro." I whistled and continued following him. "Sa'n ka na pagkatapos dito?"

"I'll be with my family. We'll celebrate my mom's promotion." Sana alukin niya akong sumama sa kaniya. Malabo pero hindi imposible. "Ikaw?"

"Huh? Ah, wala naman akong gagawin. Matutulog lang siguro ako pagdating ko sa bahay. My parents are in Singapore right now. May business meeting do'n si Dad. Si Mom naman sumama to shop some stuff and to explore na rin."

We stopped in front of his car. He opened the door of the driver's seat. He glanced at me before going inside. I smiled when his window rolled down. He looked at me as if he wanted to say something. His arm was resting on the side window while his pointing finger was playing with his lower lip. He shook his head before starting the engine.

"Larissa, do you need a ride?" Natulala ako sa tanong niya. I couldn't move! I blinked multiple times and looked around. Baka ibang Larissa! I saw how he grabbed his wallet and took out his license. "You'll be safe with me in my car."

"Seryoso ka?" I don't know if it's just me or he did look offended. "I'm sorry, I'm just shocked! There's nothing wrong naman siguro kung sasabay ako sa 'yo, right? You don't have a girlfriend. And I don't have a boyfriend. Mamaya pa naman uuwi si Larrick-"

"Let's not overthink things, okay? If you want a ride, get in my car. I'm not forcing you, Larissa." Tumango ako.

His eyes squinted a bit before he got out of his car. He went to the other side and opened the passenger seat door. Sumunod naman ako sa kaniya. I went inside the car. I noticed how he put his hand on top of my head.

Halos hindi na ako makahinga habang nagmamaneho si Phil! And because we're neighbors, I didn't have to give him my address anymore. Kaya nanahimik nalang ako. I tried listening to his music but I just couldn't focus! Pinagda-drive ba naman ako ng isang Philander Constante!

I tried to focus in front but when I saw the veins in his arms, I almost lost my mind! I gripped on my seatbelt. My legs were damn shaking on their own. Phil glanced at me, so I had to stop moving. I also stopped breathing... for a moment.

"Are you sick? You look pale, Larissa."

"Huh? H-hindi! Nilalamig lang ako," pagpapalusot ko. He did some things and I just felt a bit hot. "Biglang uminit. Ramdam mo?"