Meeting Halfway (Under Revisions)

Road Nineteen

*JANELLA*

"Ehem"

Napahinto kami sa pagkukwentuhan ni Dylan ng biglang tumikhim si Elmo sa harapan namin.

I gave him a quizzical look.

"Mr. Gillaumé, move over the seat at the back, I'll be sitting here" he announced with a straight face.

Dylan look at him for a minute then he stood up.

Akma akong tatayo sana when he stopped me with his arm. "Hindi ka kasali Ms. Salvador, you'll be sitting beside me" seryoso niyang wika sa'kin.

Tinanguan na lang ako ni Dylan at naglakad na siya papunta sa pinakalast row na upuan ng van.

Papunta kami ngayon sa isang charity event sponsored by Zap Over.

Yung manipis na instik di nakasama dahil pumunta ng China to visit his grandfather.

Pasalampak akong umupo ulit.

"What is it this time Mr. CEO?" frustrated kong tanong sa kanya.

Ito na naman siya, biglang aakto na parang may karapatan siya sa'kin at kapag tinanong mo kung bakit niya ginagawa yun, bibitinin ka sa sagot na "don't mind it"

"What?" patay-malisya niyang tanong with that cocky smile on his face. Nakangiti siyang humarap sa'kin, his arms gently brushing my arms. "I am just making sure that our brand ambassador is in safe hands."

Tumaas ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya. "So you're saying that I'm safe when I'm with you?"

He flashed a confident smile and winked at me. "Technically yes Ms. Salvador"

I rolled my eyes at his arrogance.

"Ginagawa mo ba akong pampalipas ng oras mo Mr. CEO dahil wala ang manipis na instik na yun?" bitter kong tanong sa kanya.

He looked at me, somewhat dumbfounded with my question. "I'm not Ms. Salvador" biglang sumeryoso ang mukha niya.

He avoided my gaze. "Don't stress yourself too much Ms. Salvador ng dahil sa tinabihan kita ngayon."

Oo nga naman Janella, ba't biglang naging big deal sa'yo ang simpleng pagtabi ni Elmo sa'yo.

Hindi ko na lang siya sinagot tumingin sa labas ng bintana.

There's part of me na hindi mapigilan ang mag-assume.

Ang gustong maniwala na baka...baka may pag-asa.

Pero si Elmo na mismo ang nagsabing wag kong i-stress ang sarili ko.

Hey, there's a look in your eyes

Must be love at first sight

You were just part of a dream

Nothing more so it seemed

Napalingon ako kay Elmo.

He's singing with his eyes closed, habang nakainsert ang earphones sa tenga niya.

I can't stop myself from staring at him while his lips moves.

Simpleng pagkacrush na lang ba ang nararamdamam ko para sa'yo Mr. CEO?

The closer I get to touching you

The closer I get to loving you

Give it a time

Just a little more time

We'll be together

Biglang bumukas ang mata ni Elmo at gulat na tumingin sa'kin.