Make Me Fall (ON HOLD)

Sixteen: Tonight

COLUMBUS

I don't know what time did I fall asleep after I arrived home. The last thing I remember before I  finally drifted to sleep was Ellie's voice still echoing inside my fucked up mind. Oh, and that I was in danger. I know that for a fact.

It was past seven in the evening when I woke up. Kumukulo na ang sikmura ko dahil sa gutom dahil kape lang ang huli kong intake bago ako nakatulog. Nag-unat ako at sobrang sarap lang talaga nito sa pakiramdam lalo na kapag bagong gising ka.

The moment I open the fridge, a curse came out of my mouth, "Fuck."

Walang laman ang ref maliban sa tubig at ilang bottled orange juice. I forgot to buy groceries. My schedule was packed these past few days so I forgot to restock the fridge.

Bumalik ako sa kwarto at nag jacket. It was my favorite black hoody. I grabbed my wallet and the keys before leaving the house. I'll just eat somewhere else.

Pero nakita ko nalang ang sarili ko na nakatayo sa labas ng convenience store kung saan nagta-trabaho si Ellie. Why the heck am I even here?

Tatalikod na sana ako para umalis ng biglang bumukas ang glass door nito at magsalita ang babaeng gumugulo sa isipan ko. "Columbus?" Uncertainty was evident in her tone.

Dahan-dahan akong humarap sakanya. "Y-Yow." That was the only word that came from my mouth. What the fuck was that? Yow? Sa dami ng pwedeng sabihin ayun pa talaga ang nasabi ko?

I cursed again inside my head.

"Ikaw nga!" There was excitement in her voice. And I don't know if it's just only me, but for a moment, I saw her face lit up.

I just cocked my head. Ayaw ko ng magsalita at dahil nagkakanda letse-letse ang dila ko. Para bang nawawalan ako ng kakayahan na bumuo ng pangungusap kapag kaharap ko siya. This is fucking insane!

I went nearer to the door and she took a step sideward, giving me chance to open the glass door. Nilampasan ko lang siya pero kitang-kita ko kung paanong kumurba ang mga labi niya nung lumapit ako. And my heart started beating irrationally.

Oh boy. It seems like danger was spelled like E-L-L-I-E now.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang kakainin ko. Naghanap ako ng pwedeng kainin at sa huli, cup noodles ang napag-desisyunan kong bilhin. Kumuha din ako ng bottled water bago nagtungo sa counter.

And I swear, that how my heart beats is creeping me out. Nagwala ang puso ko nang biglang lumabas si Ellie sa isang kwarto kung saan niluluto ang mga pagkain na tinda nila. Agad siyang ngumiti nung makita niya ako.

"Good evening sir." She said courteously.

Dali-dali kong nilapag sa harapan niya ang mga pinamili ko at agad na tumalikod. I secretly hit my left chest where my heart was still beating like a drum. I don't know when it started but I feel like her voice was like an angel's voice—soothing and calming.

It was like a mellow song that will send you at peace. But her smile, fuck! It's a like a strong coffee making my heart palpitate. Kapag nagpatuloy pa itong mga nararamdaman ko, paniguradong siya ang magiging katapusan ko.

"85 pesos po lahat sir." Nakuha niya ang atensyon ko at agad akong humarap sakanya. Dinukot ko ang wallet ko at naglabas ng five-hundred peso bill.

"Nasa gilid po yung maiinit na tubig, in case na dito niyo po iyan kakainin." Paliwanag niya habang inaabot sa akin ang sukli.

"T-Thank you." Gusto ko ng maglaho nung mabulol ako.

Hindi ko na kaya ang tumagal pa na kaharap siya. Pakiramdam ko kasi, ano mang sandali ngayon ay sasabog na ang puso ko sa lakas at bilis ng pagtibok nito. This is crazy!