Clouded Hearts

24: Going back

Astraea

Hindi ko na nasilayan si kuya Apollo dahil umandar na nga. Di tuloy ako nakapagbabye. Hindi ko na rin nasilayan kung umayos ba ang mukha niya. Pero mas maganda na iyon.

"Hey." I gently poked her side, unable to resist teasing her. She quickly swatted my hand away, trying her best to act indifferent.

Didn’t she miss me? I wondered, but kept it to myself.

"Bakit ka nga nawala? I’ve been looking for you," I said, my voice softer now. "Eryx and Ice told me you left. Why did you leave?" I asked, but she stayed silent. It felt like she was trying to avoid me.

In a moment of frustration, I pulled the earbud from her ear. The sharp look she gave me almost made me want to apologize, but I held my ground.

"Saan kayo, ma’am?" The conductor’s voice came like a breath of fresh air, interrupting our little standoff. I exhaled in relief, glad for the distraction. I didn't want things to escalate any further. I glanced at her. Was she always this feisty, or was it just me?

"Anda, kuya," she answered, handing over her fare. She didn’t even spare me a glance.

"Ako rin po," I added, passing my payment too.

"Magkakilala kayo, ma’am?" The conductor asked with a curious smile.

"Opo/hindi po," we both answered at the same time, throwing each other a glare. She denied knowing me? Bastos.

"Ah, LQ po?" The conductor joked, and I couldn't help but laugh, nodding at him.

"Tinotoyo po kasi," I said, and just as I did, I felt her nails dig into my arm. She was really pulling out all the stops today.

Sadista talaga siya.

"Nako, ma’am!" The conductor continued, clearly entertained. "Ang mga babae parang karne lang po iyan, kapag mas lalo mong pinakuluan, mas lalong lumalambot. Suyuin at lambingin niyo lang po, lalambot din po iyan." Tumango ako saka kinuha ang sukli. Pati sa kanya binulsa ko na.

I chuckled, nodding at him. "Expert ka kuya ah. Dami mo siguro chicks, pahingi naman," I teased.

But before I knew it, her nails dug deeper into my skin, a sharp reminder that I had crossed some invisible line. I quickly grabbed her hand, intertwining my fingers with hers, and surprisingly, she stopped.

The next few minutes were quiet. No words, just the soft hum of the bus and the shared space between us. Eventually, her hand slipped from mine, and she held it out expectantly.

"Where's my change?" she asked, her voice steady. She removed her hoodie and looked at me.

I couldn’t help but smile mischievously. "In my pocket. Find it."

To my surprise, she didn’t hesitate. She reached into my pocket, her fingers brushing against mine. It was bold, yet somehow... intimate. Had she always been this daring?

After she retrieved the change, she went back to her seat, slipping her hoodie back on, hiding herself from view.

I couldn’t let it go. I had to ask again.

"Bakit ka nga nawala? May nangyari ba?" I pressed, my voice soft but insistent.

"None." Her answer was short, but the walls she had built around herself were noticeable.

"You won’t leave without a reason. Was it just a trip? Seems like you went on some adventure," I teased, trying to lighten the mood.

She didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she turned her head slightly, glancing at me with a guarded expression.