ETB #1: Lost in Blank Stares

Chapter 32

Chapter 32

“He’s one of my friends from elementary school. Marami sila, but we were the closest. For some reason, sinundan niya rin akong mag-aral noong high school, but he went to Spain for college. He’s just a friend, nothing more.”

We were now sitting on the bed. Malaki ang higaan dahil dito rin kami natutulog ni Thalia dati. Medyo lumalagpas lang ang paa niya dahil sa tangkad, kaya bumabaluktot siya paminsan-minsan kapag nahiga.

He kept asking about Sancho, na pumunta pala dito para imbitahan kaming dumalo sa graduation party niya bukas. Ngayon sana, kaso bukas pa makakapunta ang ibang kamag-anak nila.

He sat with his back against the headboard, arms crossed, while I lay beside him, my cheek resting on my palm, staring at him—the clearly annoyed guy.

"Yun lang? Are you sure he's not your fling, your ex, or did he confess to you?" sunod-sunod niyang tanong.

"No, no, and no. He's just a tease and jokes around a lot. No need to worry about him; gano’n lang talaga siya. He was just teasing you."

"Sounds like someone I know," he scoffed, raising an eyebrow. "And if he ever confessed, siya na sana ang nanliligaw ngayon?" Sumingkit ang mga mata niya, hindi kuntento sa sagot ko.

"If ever he confessed, I wouldn’t reciprocate his feelings because we’re friends and... I like someone else." I looked away and bit my lip, trying to calm the nervous flutter in my chest.

I didn’t usually like saying things like this, but I needed to assure him. Kung hindi, baka biglang mag-impake at bumalik sa Maynila.

"And who’s that someone else?" he asked, raising his brow even higher. Napaka-attitude ng lalaking 'to.

I straightened up so I could look at him properly. "Is it not obvious?"

"Hindi eh. I don’t have an idea who you like. Sino ba?"

"Do I really need to spell it out for you to know? Ang manhid mo naman," I said, exasperated.

I knew he knew. He just wanted to hear it straight from me.

"At sa’yo pa talaga nanggaling?" He chuckled, as if I didn’t have the right to call someone dense.

"What do you mean? I’m not dense!"

"Sure," he replied sarcastically, smirking. "So, who do you like?"

Hinila ko ang damit niya para dampian ng halik sa labi. It was just a peck. "Do you get it now?"

He raised a brow, his smirk growing wider. "Hindi talaga. Can you elaborate?"

Ang gwapo niyang magpakipot. I didn’t want to say it directly! ‘Di ba, actions speak louder than words? Dapat maintindihan niya na agad!

I rolled my eyes before pulling his shirt again. This time, he froze for a moment, startled, but quickly responded. I whimpered as he slipped his tongue past my lips, exploring and tasting every inch of me. His hands found my waist, holding me firmly as he tilted his head, angling the kiss for more access.

I gripped his shirt tighter, trying to steady myself as he deepened the kiss. Every brush of his lips and every move of his tongue felt intoxicating. My knees weakened, and if it weren’t for his hold, I might’ve melted right there.