Behind Closed Doors

thirty six

Miro's POV
-🦊-

Hindi ko alam kung hindi niya ba narinig or ayaw niya talaga pakinggan.

Nabalot ng katahimikan ang paligid. Nakatulog na siguro siya, baka nga naman nakatulog na kaya hindi niya narinig.

Hindi niya ba talaga kayang sabihin na mahal niya rin ako?

Pero hindi kaya mas masakit na marinig mula sa kanya na mahal niya ako pero dahil lamang nauna ko siyang mahalin?

I really don't understand how her mind works,how her heart beats and what am I to her.

Mahal ko 'tong tao na 'to. Hindi ko magagawang pilitin na mahalin niya rin ako. Ngunit, hindi ko rin maiwasan na isipin kung anong mayroon sa'min.

We talked? Of course.

We kissed? I can't even count on my fingers.

And that's what made me wonder, what are we?

Tanga man ako sa pag-ibig pero alam kong hindi gawain ng normal na magkakilala lang iyon.

I signed heavily.

Well, what's important for now is, she's with me. She's happy having me right now. That's what really matters.

•••

"When are you coming home?" Jens looks stress.

I am having a facetime call with her right now. I laughed at her expression.

"Jens, new year na mamaya tapos ganyan mukha mo?" I teased her. She scoffed as she rolled her eyes.

"Yun na nga e, new year na mamaya tapos hindi tayo magkasama." Nagtatampo sabi niya at sumimangot.

"Jens, last year we celebrated together naman ah. That's fine, I'll make sure to celebrate with you again next time."

"Sige na nga, minsan ka na lang din naman pumunta kila lola. By the wa-

" Babi, tapos na yung niluluto namin ni Lola, do yo-

Natigilan kaming lahat, tumingin ako kay Aliah at ibinaling ulit ang tingin ko kay Jens.

Aliah seems caught off her guard because she stood there, completely frozen.

Jens nodded and ended the call without even saying goodbye.

I smiled sadly as I put away my phone.

"What were you saying nga?" Ngumiti naman ako kay Aliah.

"Kain na tayo?" She asked me, I nodded.

"Don't worry about Jens, hindi naman niya ipagsasabi yun." I assured her just in case she's overthinking things again.

"Yeah, I know." She just nodded as she walked back in the dining area, I followed behind her.

"Osiya, tayo'y kumain na muna. Early celebration na natin dahil siguradong hindi na kami sasabay sainyo na salubungin ang new year." Sabi ni Lola habang naglalagay ng pagkain sa plato niya.

I pull out a chair for Aliah, she sat quietly.

"Thanks." She said.

I pulled a chair beside her and sat.

"Alam niyo naman kapag tumatanda na e hindi na mahilig sa mga ganyan." Nakangising sabi ni Lolo.

"Okay lang po yan Lolo. Sigurong si Miro po ay hindi rin magigising mamayang 12o'clock para sa salubong." Aliah replied that made everyone laughs but me.

"Ah talaga lang ha." Naiirita kong sabi habang nilalagyan ko ng pagkain ang plato niya.

"Kumain na nga lang muna tayo." Pag-awat ni Lola sa'min. We nodded in sync.

"You should eat more, Ali. Payat payat mo na." I said quietly, she just furrowed her eyebrows without complaining.

We eat in silence, savoring our own food. Lola and Lolo will sometimes throw banters that will make us laugh lightly. This atmosphere really reminds me of feeling at peace.

'This is home.'

•••