ETB #1: Lost in Blank Stares

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

“Pero ano muna ‘yung chinat mo sa ‘kin nung nakaraan?” I asked, smiling teasingly.

His brows furrowed as he licked the matcha ice cream from his spoon. We had stopped by a 7-Eleven earlier and ended up sharing a cup of ice cream. Well, he bought it—it was supposed to be a split payment, but he wouldn’t agree. The cup was generously sized, big enough for two people. We sat inside, near the clear glass window.

Ako ang pinapili niya ng flavor. Of course, as a veggie or green food lover, matcha ang pinili ko. Nagulat nga ako nung hindi siya nagreklamo. Usually, my friends don’t like it—lalo na ‘yung mga boys. Though some of the girls are okay with it, ‘yung mga lalaki lang talaga ang maarte!

Maybe Stefano likes matcha too?

“Boy, I sent you a lot of messages. Which one?”

I smirked, leaning back slightly. “‘Yung may mga typos.”

His spoon paused mid-air, and he shot me a playful glare. “Wow, you pay attention to typings?”

“Bakit ikaw ba, hindi?”

I wasn’t exactly a perfectionist, pero hindi ko talaga kaya kapag sobrang sablay ang grammar at spelling. Like, “komaen kana”?

Blocked! Delete! Archived!

Umiling siya. “I don’t get to message a lot of people. Just a certain someone,” he said meaningfully, then took another bite of his ice cream.

Sumubo din ako, pero walang laban ‘yung lamig ng ice cream kasi mas ramdam ko ang pag-init ng pisngi ko dahil sa kanya!

“Teka nga, lumiliko ka na sa tanong,” sabi ko, pinipilit maging seryoso kahit may kilig na namumuo sa loob ko. “Akala mo yata madadaan mo ako sa mga banat mo, ano?”

Kung tinanong mo na lang sana ako na maging boyfriend mo, tapos na sana tayo!

He laughed, the sound low and deep, sending shivers down my spine. “Anong banat? Nagsasabi lang ako ng totoo. Ikaw lang naman talaga ang kinakausap ko. Though for academics or important matters, I’d reply. Pero other than that, I only talk to you. Kung hindi ka nga lang active sa social media, I’d probably delete mine.”

I pouted, sumandok ng maraming ice cream, at sinubo iyon. Hindi ko alam kung anong isasagot sa mga sinabi niya—baka bigla kong matanong, “Ano ba talaga tayo?” Naku! Baka bigla kong isend kay Angelo yung details ng kasal.

Bigla niyang kinuha ang tissue sa bag niya at sumandal palapit sa akin.

“Hold still,” he murmured softly, his voice suddenly gentle.

He leaned in, his hand brushing my chin as he dabbed the tissue lightly against the corner of my lips. I froze, my breath hitching as I stared at him. His brows knitted in focus, and I swore I saw him gulp.

“Malinis na,” he muttered, pulling back, his own lips twitching into a nervous lick as he looked away.

What was that?

Even after I got into his car—he insisted on dropping me off—I couldn’t stop thinking about the moment. His gaze lingered on my lips a little too often during the drive, making me self-conscious enough to keep checking my reflection in the side mirror.

Iniisip ko na nga, baka manghingi ng goodbye kiss si Stefano pagkatapos niya akong ihatid. Sadly, he didn’t. Sayang! With my thoughts about him, I really can’t recognize myself anymore! We said our goodbyes, and he updated me when he got home.

The following days were normal—still with assignments, activities, reporting, and taxation, along with regular study sessions, preparation for exams, and balancing group projects. Except now, in the evenings, I would receive calls from Stefano.