Decadence [Published]

Chapter 32

Twitter: #Decadence @EinahWP

➳ Chapter 32

"Lumilipad na naman ang isip mo," untag ko kay Rui.

Pareho kaming nakaupo sa isang pabilog na table sa garden. Si Kuya Jordan ay may kausap naman sa cellphone. I bet he's talking to his girl.

Si Harris naman ay naninigarilyo sa isang gilid. Sinaway na siya kanina ni Tita China ngunit hindi siya nagpaawat. Si Trinidad naman ay nasa loob ng bahay. Pakiramdam ko ay nasa ilalim pa rin siya ng higanteng Christmas tree at nabubuang na roon.

The oldies busied themselves as well. Mayroong nag-iihaw ng barbecue habang ang iba naman ay nagseset-up na ng videoke. Some of the old men prepared the fireworks. Nag-umpisa na rin ang inuman session nila.

Ako na mismo ang nagbigay ng paalala sa kanila to drink moderately. I don't want this bonding to end up as a disaster.

"Pinag-iisipan kong mabuti ang offer ni Tito Julio," bulong niya habang tinitingala ang mga bituin.

Nahuli niya nang buo ang aking atensyon sa kanyang sinabi. Inilayo kong panandalian ang marshmallow sa aking bibig.

"Papayag ka na?" Gulat kong tanong.

"Papayag ka ba?" Balik niyang sagot.

Natigilan ako. I didn't expect him to ask for my opinion about it. I didn't expect that I had a say in this. It's his passion, and I'm not going against it. He likes it, and I'll never be a hindrance for him to reach one of his best goals.

"Bakit mo pa ako tinatanong? It's your choice whether—"

"I'm asking you not to ask me back. I'm only expecting a yes or no from you. It's as simple as that."

His tone was calm and serious. And that's what made it even more dangerous.

"Yes," I breathed.

Umawang ang kanyang mga labi sa sagot ko. Sinubukan kong basahin ang kanyang mukha. His expression remained neutral.

I don't even know if it's a good thing or a bad thing. I said yes because that's the truth. Wala akong karapatang humadlang sa mga kagustuhan niya.

I'm just his favorite cousin. I may be the closest girl to him, but for me it doesn't mean anything more. Kung may sabihin man ako, hindi siya obligadong sundin iyon. He has his own mind for a reason.

His decisions should be made by himself, not anyone. Hindi siya dapat nagpapaapekto sa opinyon ng mga tao. It's his life to live after all.

We don't need people's validations.

"Yes?" Rui repeated gently.

Marahan akong tumango.

"Pangarap mo iyon, hindi ba? Iyan na't kumakatok sa pintuan mo. Hindi mo ba pagbubuksan?" Tanong ko.

Our gazes locked. His orbs were the most expressive of all just at the moment. I grinned and nodded at him eagerly.

What's stopping you, Rui? It's your dream.

"Matalino ka naman, e. You'll cope there. Who knows? Doon ka pa magka-girlfriend," I teased playfully.

He turned to me, his brows furrowed.

"Hindi ako mangingibang bansa upang maghanap ng babae, Jee," he growled lowly.

Na-offend ba raw sa sinabi ko.

"Alam ko." Tumawa ako. "May sinabi ba akong maghahanap ka? Hindi na iyon kailangan, ano? Kusang dumarating iyan." I bit my lower lip.

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo niya. Parang may mali sa sinabi ko base sa kanyang reaksyon. O kaya naman ay mukha siyang nawirduhan.