Longing For Love

06

“Give me your number,” Yuan softly whispered, his voice low and almost teasing.

Aba, ayos to ah! I couldn’t help but be surprised by the sudden shift in his tone.

“H-huh? Para saan?” tanong ko, parang tanga, naiilang na hindi ko alam kung anong nangyayari.

"So I can contact you, madam," he replied, his lips curling into a playful smile.

What? Madam? I never thought I’d be his “madam”! Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako na-off guard, pero may something sa tono niya na parang may malalim na ibig sabihin.

I sighed, trying to hide the sudden rush of warmth I felt. "09********8. Don’t tap the wrong number, okay?"

He chuckled softly, making me feel both embarrassed and intrigued. "09********8, alright madam."

I bit my lip, feeling a weird mix of emotions. Madam—why did it feel like he was teasing me, or maybe he meant it seriously? I couldn’t tell, but I definitely wasn’t used to being called that.

I glanced at him, only to find his gaze still on me, but it wasn’t the playful look I expected. It was a little... deeper, like he was waiting for something.

"Don’t get any ideas, Yuan," I muttered, trying to sound nonchalant, but my heart was racing. Was this really happening?

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "What do you mean by that, madam? I'm just trying to keep in touch with you."

I rolled my eyes, trying to play it cool, but I couldn’t stop the smile creeping up on my face. "Fine, fine. But remember, don’t ever call me that again, okay?"

He chuckled again, the sound making my insides flutter. "I’ll call you whatever I want, madam. It suits you."

I couldn’t believe what was happening, but at the same time, a part of me didn’t mind. Yuan had this way of making everything feel different, like I was floating in a strange but exciting new world where the rules weren’t clear, and maybe that’s what made it all the more interesting.

"Well, don’t forget to actually text me," I said, my voice suddenly quieter, more sincere. "I wouldn’t want to be waiting forever."

His eyes softened just a bit, and he nodded. "I won’t. Promise, madam."

I looked at him, unsure whether he was joking or if there was something more behind his words. But whatever it was, I was definitely curious to find out.

Bababa na kami ng eroplano, at magkakahiwalay na kami ni Yuan. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero may biglaang pakiramdam na ayokong lumayo sa kanya. Para bang kahit ilang araw pa lang kaming magkasama, hindi ko kayang mawala siya sa paligid ko.

“So goodbye, madam,” he chuckled, na parang may halong kalikutan sa boses niya.

“Yeah, goodbye Yuan,” I replied, pilit na ginagawa ang lahat ng paraan para hindi magmukhang awkward. Pero bakit ganoon, parang may kaba sa dibdib ko habang binabaybay ko ang bawat hakbang papalayo sa kanya.

“I’ll see you when I see you, madam,” he said, with a smile that looked so effortless, yet it felt like he was saying more than just those words.

Bago ko pa man makapagsalita, bigla niyang inabot ang braso ko at niyakap ako ng mahigpit. I was too shocked to move, frozen for a moment, not sure how to react. Then, before I could process what was happening, he kissed my forehead, soft and brief, like it was something he had done a thousand times before.

“G-goodbye Yuan…” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper, and my heart seemed to be racing faster than it ever had.

I could feel the warmth of his embrace still lingering as I pulled away, feeling a strange mix of happiness and confusion. What just happened? What was that kiss? I couldn’t help but touch my forehead where his lips had been, my mind swirling with questions.