Catch Me ✔

VII - Eleanor

What a night. I told to myself.

It's nearly dawn.
I crashed onto my bed and closed my eyes. I felt more alive. I held his hand and it just feels so warm. Unlike mine, my hands and feet are almost always cold.

Before, when I snuggled my mother, she disliked it when I put my foot on her calf.

I chuckled at that thought.

I shifted my body on the other side of the bed and remembered that I took his mobile phone and wallet when I saw it outside the house.

I pressed a button in front of his mobile phone and it lit up. A photo of him wearing his jersey and holding a basketball ball inside a.. basketball court. I pressed the button again and it showed too many notifications which I didn't bother looking at.

I questioned myself if I should look at his photo gallery? Or it is invasion of privacy?

Invasion of privacy. Said my other thinking.
He won't know though, unless you tell him you looked at his photo gallery. And this thought won.

How immature am I?

I sighed and looked through his photo gallery. There isn't much.
There's a scenery of the sea, the other one's a photo of city lights, then there's a photo of him with his family. A family picture.

I smiled at the thought that he still has a complete family. He has his father, mother, and a sister with him. The two men standing up and the two women seated, holding a framed picture of a child.. which is familiar to me.

As I look closely, I still can't figure it out.

As far as this photo gallery has, I didn't see him having a partner... I mean, a girlfriend.

Come on!

I still don't know his name..
I put down his mobile phone and quickly scanned through his wallet if there were any identification card in here.

The first thing I found is his card. A savings card maybe?

ANDREW R. PENDLETON

So, his name is Andrew. Well, it suits him.

I pressed a button on his mobile phone and just searched through for applications that may be there. I want to know who he is, or how he was?

There's an app called Messenger and I opened it. It doesn't have a lock either.

His mobile phone loaded a bit and I tapped the screen for about five times and it took a picture that was accidentally sent to someone! Maybe it's Andrew's friend but... oh no.

I faced the pillow and pulled my hair. "Argh! I'm so annoying! Why did I even do that!?"

For the first time in my life, I felt afraid.
How if he knew about it?

Ah! Whatever, I'll just sleep.

My heart beat fast when I felt someone's presence.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw that it was him. "Tao po? Tao po, may nandito ba?"

I chose not to say a single word but stare at him from afar. With fear, and with excitement.

Enough of that, Eleanor!
"Tao p--"

"I'm here. Why?" Hahaha! He's that scared? Cute.

"Bakit wala ka sa loob ng bahay?" He asked.
Well, I just got here. "Am I not allowed to got outside?" I coldly said. Not to show any emotions.

"S-sorry.. Ano nga palang pangalan mi? Hindi na kita napasalamatan noong--"
"I'm Eleanor. No need to thank me for that. Do you want something to drink?" I turned away from him but I can see him on my peripheral vision and he pouted!

"Ako nga pala s--"
"Andrew, right? Your name is Andrew. You left your.. mobile phone here.. and your wallet. I knew your name because.. because of a card." I almost stuttered!

"Pero wala kang kinuha sa mga gamit ah?"
I turned to him. "Is that how you thank someone who did a good thing to you?" My right eyebrow arched. I felt a bit... annoyed.
"N-no.. I mean. Just making sure. I'm sorry, Elle." Elle? And that's what he's calling me?
"And you gave me a nickname. Are we that close?" I said sarcastically, to hide whatever joy I'm feeling.

Because for a long time.. someone called me Elle, again.
"Masama bang makipag-lapit sa taong may mabuting ginawa para sa akin?" I stared at him but eventually looked away and went upstairs to get his things.

"Look, Eleanor. I'm really sorry. I don't mean anything bad. Gusto ko lang pumunta rito para.. kunin yung mga naiwan kong gamit at--" I felt warmhearted. When he apologizes... it feels like, it's been a long time since I.. heard of it.

"Here!"
Instead of acting kind, I acted the opposite way. I threw his mobile phone, which he catched. But not his wallet. I want to laugh but.. no.

And this is the first time someone went close to my room!
"Leave now." I kind of felt disappointed.
I stared at him to check any flaw on his face but there's none. His skin looks smooth, even if there are scratches from last night.. and his bruises are still a bit swollen and blue.

He stared back at me. I can't.. lose this staring game. "LEAVE NOW!" I coldly shouted and he hurried outside and started his car.

D-don't.. go.. I didn't mean to shout at you.

Next time you come here, I'll be the one to apologize.
If you'll still come back.

But I was hoping. Still hoping.. because I'm feeling something even I, can't explain.