After saying our goodbyes to aleng Angel, we made our way to the fish and meat section of the public market. The air was filled with a mix of fishy odors which was new to me. This is far different when we were shopping on supermarket. I crunched my nose when the smell became too much for me.
I could also hear the lively chatter of vendors and shoppers. Lyon and I navigated through the narrow aisles, looking for the freshest options.
"Dito tayo, Gabrielle," Lyon said, leading me to a stall where a vendor was busy arranging fresh fish on ice. I could see the variety of fishes glistening under the fluorescent lights, and the sight made me momentarily forget about the tension from before.
"Magandang umaga po," bati ni Lyon sa vendor. Ngumiti ang vendor at nagsimula silang mag-usap tungkol sa mga isda at nais naming bilhin.
Habang abala si Lyon sa pagtanong tungkol sa mga bibilhin at available na mga isda, I found myself wandering a little further down the aisle. I was admiring some particularly huge shiny bangus when, out of nowhere, my foot landed on a slick, wet spot on the floor.
In a split second, I felt my feet sliding out from under me, and I flailed my arms in an attempt to regain my balance. I yelped out of shock. Just as I was about to hit the ground, a strong pair of hands grabbed me firmly by my waist.
"Whoa, ingat!" Lyon's voice was close, and his hands felt warm and steady as he pulled me back up.
I looked up into his eyes, momentarily lost in the intensity of his gaze. His face was close to mine, and I could feel the warmth of his breath as he spoke. "Okay ka lang?"
"Y-yeah, I'm fine," I stammered, still catching my breath. My heart raced, not just from the slip, but from the sudden proximity between us.
Lyon's grip lingered for a moment longer than necessary before he finally let go. He chuckled softly, a hint of concern mixed with amusement in his eyes. "Mag-ingat ka sa paghakbang. Mahirap ng madulas dito."
I couldn't help but laugh nervously, feeling the flush return to my cheeks. "Thanks, Lyon. I guess I'm not very good at walking in these kind of crowded places."
He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Lucky for you, nandito ako para saluhin ka kung mahulog ka ulit."
Napakurap ako. I don't know but there is something weird on how he said that. Something's wrong. Not with him but with mine. It's so wrong in a way that I could not name.
As we continued to browse the stalls, I noticed Lyon frequently glancing my way, his smile a little softer than usual. The brief moment of contact seemed to have created an invisible bond between us, making everything else feel a bit more intimate.
We picked out some fresh fish and meat, and as we walked to the checkout, Lyon's arm brushed against mine occasionally. Each touch felt charged with a subtle electricity, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between us.
"Do you need any help with that?" I asked as he carried our bags. Ewan ko ba at kaya ko naman magbuhat. Nasa kanya na lahat pero ang ibinigay sa akin ay iyong isdang hindi masyadong mabigat bitbitin. He shook his head.
"Hindi na, kaya ko na ito. Pero thanks for asking," he replied, trying to play it cool.
As we walked through the van, I was replaying the interactions I had with him. There was a certain spark to our exchanges, and I couldn't help but wonder if Lyon felt it too.
Pumasok na ako dahil babalik na kami sa hacienda. I checked the time and it's now 11:57. Pero napansin ko na hindi pa rin pumapasok si Lyon kahit tapos na siya sa paglalagay ng mga binili namin.
