Only You (EDITING)

Chapter 15

I WENT TO LOCK MYSELF in my room literally. Hindi ako lumabas kahit nung dinner. I was drained, it was already an exhausting day yet my mother decided to put the cherry on top. Besides, they didn't seem to care if I had already eaten or not. I was just so mad and... I don't know—disgruntled.

After an hour, I picked up my phone and started texting Andrei. He's the only one who can pull me away from the darkness sucking me in.

'Are you busy? Can we talk outside?'

He texted back not more than two minutes. 'Nasa labas na ako ng bahay mo. Anong pag-uusapan natin?'

Fuck! I flinched at his reply, almost falling on the edge of my bed.

Dali-dali akong nagsuklay ng buhok bago siya kitain sa labas. My black hair bounced as I ran outside, leaving it untied. Luckily, Mama and Papa were back on their offices so they wouldn't witness how stupid I looked running with a wide smile. Still, I yelled that I would be out for a while to buy Pan de Leche and took their silence as yes.

When I saw Andrei leaning against his motor with his crossed legs, my breathing became heavy. He's wearing cargo pants and a plain white t-shirt. Gosh, it suits him so well. It makes him more attractive. He ran his hand through his hair a few times. His hair has always been side-parted on the left, his wax helped create volume, exposing his forehead with some strands falling on it. Does this guy ever experience being ugly?

"Pag-uusapan natin? I don't know. Something funny." I successfully stole his attention from his phone—probably waiting for my reply if I allow myself to be delusional—answering the question he sent in his text.

His narrowed eyes roamed around my face, examining me briefly. "May problema ka."

It was not a question. He can read me too well.

"It's a rough day."

"Ah, kaya mo 'ko gustong makita para sumaya ka. Tingin mo ba sa 'kin clown?"

I hit him playfully on his arm however, he reacted like I smacked him with a baseball bat.

"Sige anong gusto mong gawin natin?"

"You choose. Surprise me."

"Sabi mo ah." He got on his motorcycle and looked at me over his shoulder. "Sumampa ka."

Two words sent waves of excitement toward me, splashing away my worries and pain.

"Humawak ka ng mahigpit. Baka mahulog." He reached for my hands and wrapped them around his waist. I was fighting the urge to pinch him because of the teases—and also because my stomach's reacting like a zoo with that silly statement.

"Where will you take me?"

"Kahit saan." I can hear his big smile through his voice. "Magpapahangin tayo kasi parang kailangan mo."

"And where is that 'kahit saan', Andrei William?"

"Ang kulit mo, ihulog kita dito eh." Napakamot siya sa kaniyang ulo tsaka binuhay ang makina ng motor. "Iikutin lang natin ang buong subdivision."

As promised, he really did take me for a ride around the subdivision. I was instantly hit by the mad force of the wind so I opened my arms to accept the freezing wind. Buti nalang makapal ang tela ng suot kong t-shirt at sweat pants kaya hindi ko masyadong dama ang lamig.

Napasigaw pa ako nang biglang sumayaw ang motor, at humawak pabalik kay Andrei. "What was that?!"

"Wag ka kasing bumitaw."

"Better focus on the road, Mr. Driver." Driving my heart crazy. "Is this even your motor?"

"Kay Papa 'to. Sa kaniya ko natutunan magdrive." Make sense since he can't go outside the subdivision or else he'll get caught by the patrolling police officers around the city. "Ewan ko kung nakalimutan lang niya o sinadya niyang iwanan 'to para sa akin."