A Summer to Forever

7

I blushed.

"Wala naman, mahilig lang talaga akong mag-isip bigla bigla," I explained.

"Mukha nga, parang lagi kang nagzo-zone out, eh."

I laughed awkwardly.

"'Di ka mahilig pumunta sa beach 'pag gabi?"

"Okay lang naman, pero nilalamig kasi ako ngayon... Kahit nga may jacket na ako, o." I get chilly easily.

"Ah."

"Ikaw?" I asked. "Gusto mo lang maglaro, 'no?" I teased him.

He curled his forehead. "Hindi 'no, wala ka kasing kasama." He said it softly.

I was surprised and felt my heart beating faster when I heard him say that. I didn't know what to say.

His phone rang and he answered on the third ring.

"Hello?"

I tried not to eavesdrop to what he was saying to the other line, but failed. It looked like he was meeting a friend.

"Sige, sige. Daan ka na lang sa bahay tapos sabay na tayong pumunta doon." He said to the person he was speaking to on the phone. "No problem. See you, Beb. Bye!"

Beb? I thought he was single? Why did he call the other person 'beb'? Just as I was feeling more at ease with him, this happens. I don't really know if I like him but there's something about him - his actions - that makes me interested in him. Am I jealous? I can't be!

"Sorry, may tumawag," he apologized.

I awkwardly laughed and raised my brows as a way of acknowledging to what he just said. I don't know what to say to him.

"Anyway, kailan mo nga pala ako ililibre?"

"Libre?"

"'Yung utang mo na Matcha Green Tea Frappe," he reminded me.

"Uh..."

"With whipped cream!" He flashed a smile.

"Kung kailan mo gusto," I offered.

"Gusto mo sa Wednesday?"

"Sige. Wala naman akong gagawin, eh."

I saw Tito Allan and the rest walking towards our table.

"Ano, ready to go?" He asked.

I stood up and started walking with them. RJ followed behind my back. I felt awkward.

"Guys, wait lang. Picture muna tayo since last night ko na," Ate Jules said.

We took a picture and continued walking to the car. Sam went to the other car just like earlier.

While driving with Tito Allan and Ate Jules, I can't help but reminisce my childhood days in Batangas. Whenever we eat out at night, I always feel the same sleepy feeling when I'm seated at the back, listening to the murmurs the people speaking in front. It made me feel at ease. It felt home in some way.

"Etong si Meng nagpaiwan siguro para mag-moment sila ni RJ," I heard Ate Jules teasing.

"Anong moment?" Tito Allan asked.

"'Di ba dalawa silang naiwan sa table kanina? Ano kayang pinag-usapan?" Ate Jules giggled.

I felt nervous for what Tito Allan might say next. I know that he's not that strict with me but he's still my uncle and I respect and look up to him.

"Bagay nga 'yang dalawang 'yan, eh. Tutok na tutok lagi sa cellphone!" Tito Allan joked.

"Narinig mo 'yun, Meng?" Ate Jules joked.