If I Could Fall (Love and Mishap Series #1)

Chapter 10

Chapter 10
Content

There are several unforgettable moments throughout our lives. Mine is another surreal moment with him tonight.

I never thought I am capable of being this hopeful and happy in my existence. I never thought I was capable of receiving this kind of gentleness in this lifetime.

Not until him. Not until Primo made me believe that there's still a kindness behind the cruelty of life—behind the chaos of the world.

"Will you be my friend, Isla Mishael?" there's a hint of deep-thought when Primo asked me again.

Tila siya'y nag-aabang talaga ng aking magiging sagot. The hope and gentleness in his eyes didn't pass. It showed every moment our gaze would meet.

He watched me closely, his eyes a bit. Tumikhim ako at minasahe ang puso. I looked at him straight after. My lips trembled due to the cold wind that just blew.

"Yes..." parang nilunod lang sa hangin ang aking boses. "Yes, Uno," ulit ko sabay marahan na banggit sa kanyang isang pangalan.

Primo's lips parted at that. Tinatamaan ng lamp-post sa 'di kalayuan ang kanyang mata dahilan bakit mas lalo kong napagmamasdan ang repleksyon nito. It is so dark, so hooded and mysterious—like the moon slowly showing above us.

"Okay lang ba kung tawagin kita sa palayaw mo?" agap ko sa takot na baka nagiging komportable na ako sa kanya.

He bit his lip. Mabilis siyang yumuko para itago ang kung anong ngiti habang hinawakan ang batok. He shook his head, tila ginigising ang sarili sa isang panaginip. Then his gaze went back on me.

"Walang problema, Mishael," he said breathily. "Mas gusto ko 'yon."

Ako naman ang napa-awang ang labi ngayon. I bit it to hide my sweet smile. Yumuko ako at dinama ang kalabog ng dibdib. I felt him moved. Tumuwid siya ng tayo, pareho na kaming nakatingala sa papalubog na araw na inaagawan na ng buwan.

"I like your nickname," mabilis kong banggit at sulyap sa kanya.

I saw him smirk at me. "You're the only person who told me that. But thanks anyway. My parents call me by that name."

Napatingin ako sa kanya, kuryuso. He continued talking. Agad naman akong nakinig.

"They thought they won't have another baby except me. Turns out, they had another one after exactly ten years."

"You have a sibling." I concluded when I puzzled it. "Is it a boy? Or a girl?" the excitement in my voice didn't pass on his hearing. 

I guess it's a normal thing to feel when you're an only child.

Napangisi si Primo at tumango. "Yep. A brother. He's six years old now. His name is Sixto."

Ngumiti ako at sinubukang isipin ang mukha ng kapatid niya na paniguradong nagmana kay Primo. I also imagine him being so kind, caring and good to his brother.

"Masaya siguro nang may kapatid..."

Primo looks at me. "It is. 'Cuz I feel like they are angels from above. Makulit nga lang minsan. At maingay rin," biro niya.