Kabanata 7
Malaki ang ngiti ko nang makaapak kami sa labas ng venue. The cold breeze of the lone night is slowly caressing my exposed skin. Hindi ko nalang pinahalata na nilalamig ako at nasisiyahan nalang na binalingan si Royce na nasa tabi ko.
He look so stunning in his asymmetric vest and coat. Bumaba naman ang tingin ko sa suot nyang sapatos. He's wearing a black wholecuts that is appropriate for his get-up. Nag mu-mukha tuloy syang ruthless businessman na handang magpa bagsak sa ibang kalaban.
But even in his most presentable and elaborate style, naka poker face pa rin sya at walang bakas ng kasiyahan. He's in his usual grim, it made him look more bold and unemotional.
Nilingon nya ako kaya maliit akong ngumiti sakanya.
"Sinabihan na ba kita na you look so fine tonight? Sobrang gwapo mo. Ang sarap mong ibulsa nalang," I held the hem of his coat. Despite the dark night, I saw how his lips raise a little. More like he was smirking and delighted sa sinabi ko. Well, totoo naman. He look so stunning that I couldn't get over.
"I should be the one saying that to you," nag-iwas sya ng tingin sa huli. Ako naman ang nabigla dahil sa out of character na sinabi nya.
I never expected him to fire those words back. Ang iniasahan kong gagawin nya ay ang mag-iwas ng tingin at sumimangot. He dislike my compliments and mostly ay hindi nya pinapansin. He'll just stood right beside me while I happily unveil the feature that I find interesting and worthy to admire about him.
He's secretly praising me. I am aware that I got a pleasing personality that some likes. Pero dahil sa sinabi nya ay halos mag tatalon na ako sa tuwa. It's different when you hear a compliment from the person you like. Para akong tanga na nakalutang sa hangin habang may malaking ngiti.
Binitawan ko ang hawak sa suot nya at pa simple nalang na hinaplos ang isa kong braso na nilalamig. Gusto ko man syang tudyuin pa ay pinigilan ko nalang ang sarili.
"Ikaw ha, bumabanat ka na rin. Are you perhaps liking me na?"
Hindi sya sumagot sa pabirong tanong ko. He just stared at the darkness while smiling a little. Nahahawa na ata sya sa mga ngiti ko ngayong gabi. Ang cute nyang tignan habang suot ang maliit na ngiti sa labi. It suit him. He should be smiling more often, he attracts more people if he does that.
Pero kung ako man, mas pipiliin ko na nakasimangot sya at hindi nagpapakita ng emosyon. I understood that he's comfortable with that. At isa pa, that way ay walang mag lalakas loob na makipag-usap sakanya. Maybe some will try, kagaya ko. Pero he'll definitely test them to see if they're worthy of his time.
I am selfish, I admit. Wala naman sigurong masama if I'm being greedy. Minsan lang akong magka gusto kaya dapat lang na lubusin ko ito.
Napasinghap nalang ako nang humampas ang mahinang malamig na hangin. I stopped for a bit, almost jumping dahil sa lamig.
Napansin nya ata na nilalamig ako dahil sa biglaang pagkatigil ko. We're walking side by side, not minding kahit na wala kaming eksaktong papupuntahan. I'm just comfortable na naglalakad kami sa labas habang hinahayaang yakapin kami ng kadiliman.
Tumigil rin sya sa paglalakad at hindi ako tinantanan ng tingin. He swiftly removed his coat, exposing his vest that is perfectly hugging his body. Kita ko tuloy ang dibdib nyang lapat na lapat sa suot.
"Wear this," he coldly said while removing the thick clothing off his body.
Tinanggap ko ang bigay nya saakin at mariin syang tinignan. A small smile escaped from my lips again. Ngayon ko lang napagtanto na everytime he's near ay hindi ko halos mapawi ang ngiti. Kahit na he's not doing anything nor expressing any emotions, napapangisi pa rin ako.
