Hello, Yellow Fellow

Chapter 38

Hello, Yellow Fellow
Chapter 38: Hearts

Before we headed to the heart of Vistaluna, nag-decide muna kaming kumain sa malapit na simple resto. Bumalik kami sa may bandang dulo, kung saan medyo mas maingay at may tao ang lugar kumpara sa strawberry farm.

Pagdating namin sa isang barbeque place, sumalubong agad sa amin ang amoy ng mga inihaw. Sobrang bango, kaya ramdam ko agad ang pagkulo ng sikmura ko.

"Let's go?" tanong ni Maki, his eyes glancing at me as he held the door open.

Tumango lang ako, trying to ignore how his simple gesture made my heart race.

Pagkapasok namin, napansin kong medyo marami-rami ang tao sa loob. Mostly mga dayo rin ata, kagaya namin. Habang papunta kami sa counter, napansin ko 'yong babaeng cashier na nakatingin kay Maki na para bang may binuhay sa kalooban niya nang makita ito.

Nakapula ang labi nito, halos kasing tingkad ng mga grill marks sa inihaw na manok, at sobrang iksi ng suot nitong crop top. Kitang-kita ko 'yong malagkit niyang tingin kay Maki. 

"Ano gusto mo, pogi?" malanding tanong niya kay Maki, her voice dripping with sweetness that made my stomach churn for a different reason.

Napatingin ako kay Maki, at halatang naramdaman niya rin 'yong panglalandi ng babae. He frowned slightly, obviously uncomfortable.

"Uh, can I get three pieces of this, what's this— petcho?" tanong ni Maki, pointing at the grilled chicken breast.

"Sure, pogi," she purred, leaning over the counter a little too much. "Masarap din ang paa ko," dagdag pa niya at tinuro 'yong inihaw na paa ng manok.

Napataas 'yong kilay ko, fighting the urge to roll my eyes so hard. Bago pa lumabas ang init ng ulo ko, I glanced around, trying to find a place for us to sit. 

Mas mabuti na sigurong maghanap na ako ng mauupuan kaysa may mabira pa ako dito sa harap ko.

Pero bago ako makalayo, naramdaman ko ang kamay ni Maki na humawak sa braso ko at hinila ako palapit sa kanya. He leaned in close, a teasing smirk on his face. 

"Which one do you want more, love?" His voice was smooth, low, and the way he said "love" made my heart flip.

Napakurap ako, feeling my heart skip a beat. His face was so close to mine, I could feel his breath on my skin. 

I glanced to the side and saw the shocked expression on the girl's face, clearly caught off guard. I wanted to smirk at her, but I kept my cool. Tumingin ako uli kay Maki at napalunok.

"Just order a-anything..." I stammered, trying to compose myself, "L-love."

The word slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it, and Maki's eyes widened in surprise. I know he didn't expect that, but then a slow, genuine smile spread across his face, his lips curling up as if he just won the jackpot.

"Yeah, that's it, love..." he repeated, nodding with a smug look, his voice teasing.

My cheeks immediately heated up, so I quickly looked away, hoping he wouldn't notice how flustered I was. But of course, Maki being Maki, he reached out and playfully ruffled my hair.

"Pretty," he whispered, his voice soft yet filled with affection.

Napatingin ako sa babaeng cashier, and her expression had completely shifted from flirtatious to sour. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at sinabayan ng isang matalim na irap bago ako tuluyang lumakad papunta sa bakanteng upuan na nasa isang sulok ng resto.

I sat down quickly, feeling my heart pounding against my chest. Did I really just call him "love"? Oh god, Elio, ano bang nangyayari sa 'yo? Akala ko ba magpapakipot pa tayo dito? Bakit parang bumigay ka na kaagad?