Noted, Architect (Architecture Series #1)

Chapter 10: Can My Heart Get Any Better

APHAEA

While Ody was driving me home, I felt the joy that our night at his private property had brought. The air was cool, and the stars in the sky sparkled as if celebrating the new beginnings we had started. Inside the car, I could hear the music playing softly, filling the space with a sense of warmth and happiness. At that moment, it felt like the world revolved around Ody.

As I looked out the window, the familiar sights of the neighborhood rushed by, but they seemed different somehow—more vibrant, more alive. Ngayon lang ako ulit sumaya ng ganito. 

"Did you have fun?" Ody suddenly asked, glancing at me with a curious smile. Nagningning ang mga mata niya at tumitingin tingin sa akin.

"Definitely! I didn't expect to enjoy it that much," I replied, my cheeks flushing slightly. I remembered the way he made me feel—free, carefree, and happy, as if all my worries had disappeared into the night.

Wow... ako? Carefree? Ody unlocked a new character in me.

"I'm glad. I thought it would be a nice change from the usual routine," he said, his tone casual but there was a hint of sincerity in it. "I just wanted you to relax and have fun for a while. Buong buhay ka yatang uptight sa sarili mo."

I turned to him, feeling a warmth spread through me. "You really succeeded. Thank you for everything, Ody. You have no idea how much this means to me. Para akong sumakay ng adventurous rides sa amusement park nang hindi namamatay."

He chuckled heartily, then a genuine, bright smile appeared on his face that made my heart flutter. "I'm just doing what makes me happy. Plus, it's more fun with you around. Edi mas masaya tuloy ako."

As we continued to drive, the comfortable silence enveloped us, only broken by the rhythm of the music and the soft hum of the engine. I couldn't help but steal glances at him, marveling at how effortlessly he managed to make me feel at ease. I felt like I was stepping into a new chapter of my life, one that was filled with possibilities.

"Do you think we could do something like this again?" I asked.

"Of course! Kahit every day or every night pa 'yan. Just hit me up. I'm always up for spontaneous adventures," he replied with a grin, and I could feel my heart race at the thought.

As we approached my apartment building, reality started to settle in. I couldn't help but wonder how much I was allowing myself to feel for him. Could this really be the start of something new? Or was I just getting lost in the moment, trying to escape the past that still haunted me?

"Salamat sa paghatid sa akin," sabi ko habang bumababa sa kanyang kotse, tumingin siya sa akin at ngumiti.

"Anytime, Phae. I had an amazing time tonight. I hope you did too," sagot niya, ang saya sa kanyang boses ay parang nakakabighani.

"Yeah, it was unforgettable. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun," sagot ko, na naiisip ang mga tawanan at mga kwentuhan namin, lalo na ang halik na nagbigay ng bagong damdamin sa akin. Pero habang ako'y naglalakad papasok sa apartment ko, laking gulat ko nang makita si Atlas at Javi doon.

"Tang-- ano ba? Ang hihilig niyo manggulat! Ano ba meron sa inyo?"

Ang mga mata ni Atlas ay puno ng pag-aalala habang si Javi naman ay nakasandal sa dingding, tila nag-iisip.

"Aphaea! We need to talk," sabi ni Atlas, ang tono niya ay seryoso.

"Uh-oh. What's going on?" tanong ko, medyo kinakabahan sa pakiramdam.

Javi stepped closer, ang kanyang mukha ay puno ng alalahanin. "We've noticed na parang nagiging close kayo ni Ody. Are you sure about this?"

Umiling ako, na nagtataka. "I'm just spending time with him. Wala namang masama doon, di ba?"