FIVE
"Did you enjoy the show?"
Oh no, nabisto ako na nakiki-nood ng pelikula kahit wala akong movie ticket. Tatakas na sana ako pabalik sa kwarto ko when I heard Key's sarcastic voice from behind, patay.
I turned to face him, nag-iwan ng red marks sa mukha niya yung sampal ni Scary Dad, ouch.
Scary Dad, how could you? That was just mean.
"I, uh... Key, hindi ko sinasa–"
"Elisha," he cut me off. Uh, alam pala niya yung pangalan ko. Well, okay.
And then out of the blue, tinuro niya vaguely yung oven toaster 'dun sa dulo ng kitchen counter, "Nakikita mo 'yun?"
Sinundan ko yung direction ng kamay niya pero tinignan ko din siya ulit, "Yung oven toaster?"
"Hindi," umiling siya, nakatingin pa din sa oven, "Yung katabi niya."
Ha? Anong pinagsasasabi nitong si Key eh wala naman katabi yung oven toaster, just empty space. Hala, baka may psychotic breakdown moments pala yung isang 'to at nagsisimula na siyang maghallucinate? How freaky! "Uhm," lumunok ako, "Wala akong nakikita sa tabi niya."
"That's because it's invisible to the naked eye – my last shred of dignity. It's very small."
He faced me, pagkatapos, ewan, he laughed. Pero hindi ako sigurado kung matatawag nga bang tawa yung sound na pinroduce niya.
I think he feels humiliated dahil nasaksihan ko yung not-so-pretty moment na 'yun ng buhay niya. He's male after all, at ang mga lalaki, kasing tangkad nila ang mga ego nila. At matangkad si Key.
"Key, are you okay?"
Wrong question, alam ko. Pero hindi ko mapigilan eh, bukod sa magang slap marks sa flawless face niya eh, there was something in his eyes: Fear? Disappointment? All of the above? Hindi ko ma-determine kung ano.
"Hmmm?" Humakbang siya papalapit sa akin, he placed an easy hand on my shoulder at saka niya ako tinignan sa mga mata, "Ano'ng magagawa mo if I'm not? Well, considering that my life was in danger the whole time, and you were just watching? Of course I am not okay."
"Sorry... sorry naman, na-trauma kasi yata ako sa na-witness ko eh." Pa-biro kong sabi to lighten up the mood. My words were half-meant though. Seryoso kasi, tunay talagang scary dad si Scary Dad.
Laking gulat ko na lang nang hinawakan niya yung isa pang balikat ko at saka niya ako inikot ng tuluyan paharap sa kanya.
My heart started pumping wildly with panic dahil pinantay niya yung mukha niya sa mukha ko, he's looking into my eyes intensely.
"Uhm, Key," sinubukan ko na kumawala sa hawak niya dahil hindi yata ako masyadong kumportable na makipag-staring fest with a guy whom I just met yesterday. Hindi healthy. Baka magkasakit ako sa puso.
Pero lo and behold, he just held me firmly at saka niya ako patuloy na tinitigan with his tender eyes, "Shhhhh... kailangan kong i-preserve yung cool image ko, I'm erasing your memory."
I swear, sa bawat minuto na lumilipas, things are getting more and more uncomfortable. Para siyang bampira from The Vampire Diaries who's trying to compel me, eeeep.
And then, salamat sa Diyos dahil binitawan din niya ako nung akala niya siguro eh nabura na yung mga alaala ko, "Did my father freak you out that much? Why do you still look scared?"
"That's because I'm scared."
"Are you sure you're really scared? You're probably just nervous," napangiti siya, "Kinikilig ka lang siguro since I'm standing so close to you."
