Clouded Hearts

26: Always

Astraea

After my birthday everything went back to normal. Weeks past, seems like nothing happened.

Malapit na ang birthday ni Gael, ito nga at kakabigay ko lang ng mga invitation cards nila. As usual, magarbo at engrande ang kaarawan ng binata. Everyone is invited for sure.

He already told me his plans for his birthday. Sinabi kong sa after party na lang ako pupunta pero sinabi niyang hindi magiging masaya kung wala ako.

I don't like parties, he knew it. I hate crowded places, it feels suffocating.

"You're coming right?" Nagiinsist pa rin siyang papuntahin ako.

"Maraming tao, you know I don't like crowded places." He held my hand

"I know, but just once...please... ngayon lang po. Take this as a celebrant request?" He said then he kissed my hand.

Sanay na ako sa sweet gestures ni Gael, na kahit hindi pa kami ay grabe na ang pagaasikasong ginagawa niya. Grabe na ang affection na pinapakita niya. I never expected him to be this clingy, to be honest. Balak ko siyang sagutin sa kaarawan niya, sana maging maayos lahat. Wala kasi akong maisip na regalo kaya kahit yun lang ay mapasaya ko siya.

I have a gift for him though, hindi nga lang kasing mahal ng ibang regalo. Wala pa kasi akong pera, hindi ko naman pwedeng galawin ang ipon ko dahil may pinaglalaanan ako non.

"You're coming right?" Para na siyang batang humihingi ng candy. Ano pa nga ba ang magagawa ko, gwapo na tong humihingi ng oras ko.

"I'll try, pero I cannot promise na makikipaginteract ako." Tumango siya saka hinalikan ulit ang kamay ko. Hindi naman talaga labag sa loob ko ang pumunta. It's just that... maraming tao. For sure, a lot of politicians are going.

Kuya Apollo is going to run for candidacy. I hope, Tito won't make Gael run too.

"You don't know how happy I am." I just smile to show that I'm supportive.

"You're spacing out again." Sambit niya saka tumabi sa akin. Nasa dagat kami dahil nanghuhuli ng isda si Eryx at Ice.

The woman sat beside me. I'm really curious about her. Why does my body react when she's around? Why does this thing inside keep banging when she's near? Or why am I mesmerized by her beauty? Whenever I look at those eyes, it's hypnotizing me. I don't know but I'm liking it. Is it wrong?

"Sabihin mo kapag may nagugustuhan ka na ah." I don't know where that came from. It's a word vomit statement. Lately, mas lumapit ang loob ko sa kanya. She's like a magnet and I'm a metal. I can't help but to be attracted. She's pulling me, drawing me to her, closer and closer.

"Bakit?" She said—No, it's more like a whisper.

"Wala para ako unang may alam." I looked at her then smiled. She didn't say anything, she just looked at me.

Her eyes says something that I couldn't read. You see, I'm not good at reading people's mind or eyes. Hindi ako manghuhula na mahuhulaan kung ano ang tumatakbo sa isip nila. She's also not an open book, that's why she's hard to read.

I hope, I'm like the others, can read body language.

I showed my pinky finger. "Promise?" I'm expecting her to do the same but she shook her head.

"I don't believe in promises."

"Same, pero malay mo gumana?" She smile a bit but shook her head again.