Heartful Whisper

Kabanata 37

Yula:
Something important came up huhu. I told Chase babawi ako. Saka andiyan si Andreign haha! Pinagselosan ako ni Hikari dati kaya hindi na kami vibes.

I slowly nodded as I read Yula's reply to my message. Tinanong ko siya kung nandito na siya sa venue. Hindi ko siya napansin kanina pa.

Leonel is resting his head on my shoulder. Sinilip ko siya at nakitang bahagyang bumababa na ang talukap ng mata. Siya siguro ang nagbantay sa kanyang mama kagabi.

I need to pee, but I don't want to disturb him. Buti na lamang ay nagkakatuwaan pa ang mga tao, hindi halatang makakatulog pa yata siya sa engagement party.

I carefully moved his head to shift on my seat para mapigilan ko pa kahit saglit ang ihi ko.

"Where are you going?"

Agad na hinawakan ni Leonel ang kamay ko. Kunot ang noo niya at parang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig ang mukha.

"M-Magccr sana.."

He swallowed hard. I can feel his hand holding mine even more tighter.

"Okay.." kalmado niya nang sabi.

"Bakit?"

Umiling siya. "Sorry, I almost fell asleep."

"Okay lang.. aayusin ko lang sana ang upo ko kanina para hindi ko maramdaman na naiihi ako. Inaantok ka na talaga? Uwi na tayo.. pwede naman na tayong magpaalam kila Hichasen at Shantria. Magpahinga ka na muna."

Titig na titig siya sa akin.

Tinagilid ko ang ulo ko. "Hmm?"

"I'm still scared, Coli."

"Saan? Bakit?" I asked worriedly.

Yumuko siya at pinisil ang ilong. I can see in his shoulders that he's breathing deeply. When he looked at me again, his eyes were almost bloodshot.

"That I'll fall asleep again and then I'll wake up without you."

My lips parted. Parang biglang piniga ang puso ko. I realized he is my weakness. This Leonel. When he's scared and looking forlorn, I feel weak.

"Hindi ako aalis." I told him.

Tumango siya at hinalikan ang kamay kong hawak niya.

"You want to pee? Let's go."

I pulled him down. "Ako na. Alam ko naman ang cr, may nakita ako kanina pagpasok natin."

"I'll just wait outside."

Umiling pa rin ako. "Dito ka na lang. Pagod at inaantok ka na."

He pouted a bit. Ganito ang itsura niya kapag ayaw magpatalo pero wala siyang magawa.

"Babalik ako. Babalik ako sa'yo.."

It's as if all the colors of his face went back. His eyes lit up and slowly, his lips curved for a smile. Tumango na rin siya.

I stood up and walked discreetly between the talking guests. Nakayuko ako at nagmamadali. When I saw the familiar hallway, I went in and saw the signage of a female comfort room.

I heard the opening of the door while I was fixing my dress.

"Leonel looked so fucking whipped," it was a woman's voice.

"Shut up." The other woman's voice sounded so stern.

"I thought something's going on with you and Leonel, Mel? You always see each other at your brother's house."

I swallowed hard. Si Melarie.

"He's there for our nephews," tipid na sagot ni Melarie.

"So, you never dated? Not even once?"