Responsibilities That Ties Us

Chapter 24: It is What is It

"You're quiet."

"May... iniisip lang. Sorry."

We're currently eating in Jollibe, and he hadn't said one thing during we eat; which was good, but it felt too unreal in his end. I had expected him to talk nonsense to keep me entertained.

"It's kind of bad that... you invited me here for your apology, yet hindi mo naman ako kinakausap."

Barely a tint of color blushed his cheeks, at iniwas niya ang tingin saakin, that he'd been doing for the past minute.

"Ang ano kasi... basta. Hindi ko pwedeng sabihin sayo..." he mumbled the last part under his breath so hindi ko iyon narinig. But solely base on how he looked conflicted, mas pinili kong manahimik. But of course, I was curious.

This would be the first time I see him so out of it. Naka simangot lang siya.

"Well, maybe you should try and not think about it too much." Mas pumapangit ka kung sumimangot ka lang.

"Um... ok."

I sighed, putting my spoon down and looking at him. "I'm not saying na hindi mo yan isipin... I'm simply telling you to not think too much or else ma spo-spoil yung mood nating dalawa."

"Ano kasi, yung nangyari kagabi—"

"Like I said, wag mong ng isipin. Aalis talaga ako if you continue to do so." His cheek colored, pero hindi na nagsalita. This time, he was able to look me straight in the eye pero umilag din.

Why is he acting shy for?

Inubos na namin ang pagkain at dali-dali ring umalis para pumunta sa susunod na destinasyong plinano niya. I followed him. Ang 'rami ng tao ngayon, mostly families since its sunday, at there's a couple of time na nawawala itong lalaking ito sa paningin ko. He had to stopped, dahil nga muntik na niya akong mawala.

"Ang daming tao... sana ibang araw ko na lang ito plinano—"

"It's fine," I interrupted him, grabbing his arm para magapatuloy sa paglalakad. "I find comfort in crowded places." Sometimes at least, and today, I feel just that.

Hindi ko makikita yung muka niya dahil ako yung naghihila sa amin, but his silence was enough to tell me na he was stunned. We continued to steer through seas of bodies hanggang sa naramdaman ko yung paghila niya saakin pabalik, stopping me on my tracks. The first time I looked at him; he avoided my gaze but he's glancing at me shyly.

Honestly? Hindi bagay sa kan'ya.

"Di-dito stop natin."

It was an arcade. I looked at him, if he was serious. He was.