If I'm Not In Love

22

"Ethon.." Melissa whispered and immediately stepped out of the car.

I stayed still. Hindi ako umalis sa kinauupuan ko kahit na alam kong papalipatin ako ni Troy sa shotgun seat. Nakatingin lang ako sa labas at pinanood ko ang mga susunod na gagawin ni Ethon.

Lumingon si Ethon nang makalapit si Melissa then he smiled timidly at her. I didn't look away which I was grateful I did dahil kung umiwas ako ng tingin, hindi ko makikita kung paanong tumagos ang tingin ni Ethon kay Melissa. I blinked once.. twice.. thrice.. but his stares were like fire burning through me. Hanggang sa magsimula siyang maglakad palampas kay Melissa.

Shocked was understatement. Kunut na kunot ang noo ko habang pinapanood kong maglakad palapit si Ethon sa sasakyan. Tinted tong sasakyan ni Troy kaya imposibleng nakikita niya ko. But it still gives me chills habang kumokonti yung distansya niya mula sa direksyon namin.

"Do you want to go outside?" Tanong ni Troy all of a sudden.

Tumingin ako sa kanya at ngumiti which he gave back.

"Just pretend that you're going to change seat," sabi pa nito which I immediately complied.

Bumaba ako ng sasakyan at nakita ko agad si Ethon dalawang hakbang ang layo sakin.

"Hi.." he said then smiled.

I was stunned. Hindi ko alam kung anong irereact ko. Being inexperienced sucks. Sinubukan kong itago ang kaba ko kaya ngumiti na lang ako sa kanya. I stayed still at hinintay ko kung anuman ang sasabihin niya. This will be the first time if ever na may sasabihin nga siya sakin.

"I've been waiting for you," he said as he shoved his hands onto his jeans' pockets.

My forehead creased as my heart beat's accelerated. I stared at him with so much confusion that I thought I swallowed my tongue. Ethon tilted his head tapos bigla niyang hinawakan ang wrist ko. "Come with me.." he said and didn't wait for my approval.

Hinila na niya agad ako but before I could take my second step, naramdaman ko na lang ang isa pang kamay sa kabilang wrist ko.

"You cannot take her away that easily," Troy said firmly as he tightened his grip on my wrist.

Ethon stopped and stared at Troy. His jaw clenched and his face hardened as if his getting impatient in the situation. Tumingin siya sakin, his eyes were too intensed that made my knees went jelly.

"Sasama ka ba sakin?" he asked.

I blinked a couple of times. Hindi ko alam kung dapat ko bang sampalin ang sarili ko para maniwala akong hindi ito panaginip. But the firm and tight grips on my both wrist were enough to convince me na totoo ito.

I nodded my head and smiled widely. Unti unting lumuwag ang pagkakakapit sa left wrist ko hanggang sa bumitaw ang nakahawak dito. I looked at my left and a small smile from Troy welcomed me. He nodded his head as though he's giving me permission to go with Ethon.

"Just do not forget to text me," he said then faced Ethon, "Ihatid mo siya hanggang sa bahay nila," bilin niya dito saka humarap ulit sakin para tapikin ang pisngi ko bago tumalikod at sumakay sa sasakyan niya.

I wanted to watch the car leaving pero hinila agad ako ni Ethon papunta sa bahay nila Nico. I looked over my shoulder and I saw Melissa. She gave me a tight smile then waved at me tapos nagmadali na siyang pumasok sa gate nila. Just exactly when we heard the gate closed, Ethon let go of my wrist and walked briskly to Nico's house. I was left confused pero sumunod pa rin ako sa kanya. I was following him nang salubungin ako ni Nico.

"Bakit magkasama kayo?" Tanong niya ng may nanghuhusgang tingin.

Umiling ako saka tumingin kay Ethon na nakaupo na sa sofa.