It's You

Chapter 17

With the big sigh that Didith made, I can only think she was bored.

"Do you want to go back now?" I asked.

"No. I'm fine here," she said.

"Are you embarrassed that others may see us here?"

"No! Why should I?"

"Then why the heavy sigh?" I teased her.

"It's nothing," she pouted.

"I see. You must be remembering your boyfriend?"

"Boyfriend? I don't have one." She exclaimed.

"Ha, ha! I know! Just teasing you!" I laughed out loud and she smiled.

I turned serious. "But, Didith, aren't you a bit mad when they say that we're in a relationship?"

She looked up in the sky and said, "Um, I'm not mad because I know we can't have that kind of relationship."

I pulled myself up. "And why is that?" I asked.

"Because I'm your sister so you're not going to court me."

"And why is that?" I asked the same question.

"Because I'm not your ideal girl?" She answered with a question.

I took her right hand and squeezed it. "Did you know that my mom was here two days ago?"

"Really? Aw, should have met her."

"I think you did."

"Huh? But I didn't see her."

"Do you remember a lady with an exhaust pipe?"

She frowned and said, "Oh, I remember now! Saw her last Tuesday."

"I know and you talked to her." I intertwined my fingers with hers. She didn't mind.

"I did."

"So what did you tell her?"

"I greeted her 'Good afternoon, Ma'am' and she answered 'Hello'. Then she followed up with, 'My son needed a new one.' And I smiled and said, 'Take care on your way home' and she smiled, too."

With our fingers intertwined, I felt warmth and comfort. I guess she also felt the same way.

Believe me, I didn't want to go back to the dorm anymore!

A few more weeks came and a decision had to be made. I and my brothers will be staying in an apartment instead of living separately in different dormitories. I told her not to worry as we'd keep in touch. She quietly listened to me while giving her reminders. Except for the nods, there was no reaction from her.

When it was time for me to leave, I embraced her. She didn't move. She was trying to fight the tears from falling down her cheeks. Then she smiled and said, "Take care." There was obvious sadness in her voice and the more that it made me want to stay.

It was tough as it was also my last year in the university. I was so busy with my Thesis and all. It made me stay awake until midnight. If my brothers were out with their friends, I was alone in the apartment. I couldn't just invite her as I'm sure she'd feel awkward if my brothers would see her alone with me.

But I truly missed her and I needed to see her.

"Didith!" I called out her name. She stopped walking. I was with Salve, a former dormmate.

"She must be surprised to see you," she said. She must be, I thought.

I hurried towards her, hugged her, and whispered 'I miss you.' She hugged me back but didn't say a thing. My heart pounded so hard that I could hear its loud beats. And I wondered if she heard it.

It was a long and warm embrace when Jonas, the Dorm Leader, suddenly said, "If I didn't know you two, I'd think you are in a relationship."

I looked at her and released my arms.

I honestly didn't know how to react to Jonas' words. I was caught off guard and I felt that must've embarrassed Didith as well. But he's right. If others would see us, they'd think that we are in a relationship.

Seeing her again made me both happy and sad. I was happy to be with her even for a little while yet sad as I knew it would take some time for another moment with her.

One night, I saw her at Crossing waiting for a jeepney going to her dorm. She had just finished her Chemistry exam. Job and I were doing our project and went out to buy food.

"Didith, why are you here?" I asked. Job said hello to her in which she slightly bowed her head.

"I had my Chemistry exam but it's tough getting a ride back to the dorm."

"Just stay in my apartment and we'll leave early in the morning. You won't get a ride tonight."

I took her bag and we went to our apartment. Job kept reminding her that it was a mess in our place since we were all boys living in it.

When we got there, she asked where she'd be sleeping because there were two rooms. I immediately said, "Of course, you're going to sleep with me, not with Job." I don't know if I sounded demanding or what, but she probably was surprised.

That night was the sweetest dream for me if I can call it a dream. We sat in my bed just talking, telling our stories while being away from each other. It was already morning when we called it a day, or a night.

Moments like that make me happy and guilty at the same time. We're happy together. But, I should have told her I liked her when we were still getting to know each other, and that I'd fallen in love with her eventually. And it made me guilty being with her.

If I can only go back to that night.

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Enjoy!