We Just Are (GU #1.5)

6 : sleep

I didn't tell anything to Slade. Hindi ko alam. Marahil ay wala naman akong dapat sabihin. What I meant was it's not important. And I would not have an encounter again with that guy.

I was hesitant at my last thought. I didn't now, it was like my instinct was telling me that was not the last time. I shook that thought away. Kahit magkita man kami, isa lang ang sigurado ako - I don't want to do anything with him.

Binalik ko na ang atensyon sa binabasa at doon pinalipas ang sumunod na mga oras.

It was twenty after four pm when someone knocked on the door. Mayroong susi si Slade ng kwarto pero hindi niya iyon kailanman ginamit - well, except that night of our monthsary. But other than that day or circumstance, he never used it.

Closing my book, I went to the door and opened it.

Smile instantly reached my lips the moment I saw his face. And same with him. Ngumiti rin siya nang ubod ng ganda, at ng tamis nang makita ako. And boy, did I have a super gorgeous boyfriend. I honestly didn't think gorgeous even gave him justice. Basta. Wala lang akong maisip na adjective na maaaring makapagdescribe sa boyfriend ko. Kay Slade.

"Hey," I said. At aware akong medyo breathy ang tunog noon. Hindi ko ba alam kung bakit tinitigan ko lang naman si Slade, naghahabol na ako agad ng hininga.

"Hey to you too," he greeted back. Yung isa niyang kamay ay agad na humawak sa bewang ko. Pagkatapos ay bumaba ang mukha niya sa akin at bago ko pa malaman ay nahalikan na niya ang labi ko.

It was quick and I was disappointed because I didn't have a chance to respond.

"Lets go inside?" tanong ni Slade, ang mukha niya ay bahagyang inilayo niya sa akin.

Tumango ako at pumasok na kami sa loob.

"Naglunch ka na?" tanong ko sabay linga sa kanya. He just locked the door.

He nodded. "Yeah."

"With your groupmates?"

Tumango ulit siya. Tumango rin ako. Buti pa siya may kasabay na kumain.

Slade seemed to notice the small frown on my face. He immediately closed the distance between us and held my face. "Hey, sorry. Hindi ko agad nasabi yung tungkol sa meeting. Wala ka tuloy kasabay kumain."

Umiling ako. "Ano ba, wala yun. Hindi lang naman ito 'yung unang beses na mag-isa akong kumain. Don't worry about me. And I'm sure there will be more days in the future na hindi tayo magsasabay so better ready myself now. Right?"

Slade just stared at me, not saying anything. But in the look that he was giving me, I knew he was quietly agreeing.

"Um, wait," he suddenly said. Lumayo siya sa akin at binuksan ang bagpack. He got a paperbag in there and handed it to me. "For you."

"What's this?" tanong ko nang abutin ang bag.

"Custard cake. You should try it," sagot niya. "Out of the dishes we ate, that's the only thing I've liked."

Natawa ako. Slade would eat almost everything but trust him to be picky when it came to his favorite food.

"I'll eat this later at dinner," sagot ko saka ibinaba muna sa mesa yung bag.

Tumuloy naman si Slade sa kama ko. He picked the book I was reading earlier. "Studying again?"

"Yeah," sagot ko sabay tango.

Inalis niya yung sapatos niya saka itinaas ang paa sa kama. Umurong din siya sa gilid para bigyan ako ng space pagkatapos ay tinapik niya 'yung espasyo sa tabi niya.