You're Blooming the Wrong Way

Chapter Eleven

Goosebumps. I'm getting goosebumps for the nth time.

Kanina pa ako palakad-lakad sa loob ng bahay ni Hana at ilang beses na akong kinikilabutan dahil pakiramdam ko'y may nakatitig sa akin. Tonight, the entire Shiota family will gather to celebrate Mai-san's birthday. Everyone is busy helping with the preparation of the dinner, but there's one guy who's lazing around.

"Will you stop following me around like a puppy?" I finally snapped at Haru when I found him hiding behind the door of the kitchen. Kanina pa siya nakabuntot sa akin at kahit magtago pa siya kung saan-saan, imposibleng hindi ko siya makita. He's just too tall!

"Puppy!" He blushed, then stared dreamily at my face. "She called me a puppy! It means that she finds me cute, right?" bulong niya.

I frowned. "That's not a compliment, you dork!"

Truthfully, Haru's presence has become troubling ever since he discovered that I'm currently staying in their house. Ever since that night, he's been watching me. He's not even talking to me and he's just following me around, but that's what makes it creepier! Tumitindig ang mga balahibo ko kapag bigla-biglang sumusulpot ang mukha niya upang silipin ako!

"It's quite lively here." Biglang pumasok si Hana sa kusina. His lips formed a smile when he saw me with his brother. "Oyasumi. You seem to be getting along with each other." malumanay niyang bati at tinapik sa balikat si Haru.

I could only put on a poker face when Haru reflexively jumped away from Hana, like a cat who found his feline enemy. Kumuha siya ng sandok sa gilid at dinuro si Hana na napakurap lamang.

"D-Don't touch me!" He stared cautiously at Hana. "Love rival! I refuse to make any physical contact with my love rival!" aniya.

Seriously, Haru. You're such a dork. I guess first impressions don't really last. It's a shame that you're good-looking.

"I'm leaving! I don't want to breathe the same air with you!" He childishly remarked then glared at Hana. When he shifted his gaze to me, though, his face softened. "Uhm, Lucy. I'll be retreating to my room." Really, what an instant change of mood!

"Go ahead." I replied in a straight face.

"I-Is it possible for us to sit next to each other later?" He began fidgeting like a girl. "Let's talk. I want to know you more."

Napasimangot ako. "Sure, let's do that."

"I can't wait for dinner." Haru whispered to himself. Before turning to me, he swallowed hard. "Tomorrow, you'll be returning to the Philippines. We'll be separated from each other, and the only thing that will keep us connected is the short memory that we shared." He stated dramatically. Why is he talking as if we're lovers? Are we even on the same page? He's such a troublesome boy!

"Ah." Iyon lamang ang tanging nasabi ko.

"However, distance is trivial when it comes to the person you like. I am willing to cross the seas in order to-- uhm, in order to... What comes next? I forgot!" He panicked then took a piece of paper from his pocket. Haru distanced himself from us then quietly rehearsed his lines. This time, I couldn't hold my laughter back. So cute!

Bumalik ulit siya sa harapan ko. He was more tensed than before, and he looked like he was about to cry. Derecho lang ang titig ko kay Haru pero panay ang iwas niya ng tingin sa akin. Napangiwi ako dahil nangangatog din ang mga tuhod niya.

"Calm down, Haru. You prepared some precautionary measures." bulong niya sa kanyang sarili. I could only gape at him when he took a pair of shades then put it on. Gabi na! Anong kagaguhan 'to?

I scratched my head. "What the heck?"

"Forgive me, but I'm too nervous to look into your eyes!" He confidently faced me with his shades on. "So, as I was saying, I am willing to cross the seas in order to get a glimpse of your beautiful face! If it is to win your heart, I can even collect the stars for you!"