You're Blooming the Wrong Way

Chapter Twelve

It was already past midnight, but I was still awake. I couldn't sleep at all. That incident with Haru caused an uproar, but nobody asked me what really happened between us. It seems like they already have a vague idea, so I'll just leave it like that. There's no need to tell everyone that we actually kissed, anyway.

"Huh?" I blurted out when the door creaked then slowly opened. I don't believe in ghosts, so I didn't feel scared. Noong bumukas ang pinto, napasimangot ako dahil dahan-dahang sumilip ang ulo ni Hana. Anong ginagawa ng tangang 'to?

"What are you doing?" I asked in a flat tone. Napatalon naman si Hana nang marinig niya ang boses ko. Tuluyan na niyang binuksan ang pinto at nahihiya siyang pumasok sa kinaroroonan ko.

He cleared his throat. "Bakit gising ka pa?"

"I should be the one asking you that." I retorted then made a disgusted face. "Anong sinisilip-silip mo diyan? So creepy."

"I-It's not what you think! I was just checking if you're already fast asleep!" depensa ni Hana at inayos ang suot niyang salamin. "What makes you think I'll attack you in your sleep? Do you seriously think I'm that type of guy?" He said, sounding offended.

I shrugged. "You're the type of guy who's obsessing over the face of the person he likes, to the point that when he's lonely, he's willing to kiss the twin of his love just because she looks exactly like him." I breathlessly told him, concealing the emotions in my face.

He heaved out a deep sigh. "I have no excuses, but can you possibly stop saying it in a straight face?" Mukhang napahiya si Hana sa sinabi ko dahil nagtakip siya ng mukha at nagtago sa isang sulok.

I laughed. "Binibiro lang kita. Masyado kang seryoso."

"You're better off as the scary delinquent that I first met. Don't ever try cracking a joke again. It's weird." He commented then shook his head in dismay. "Anyway, are you in the mood to slip out of bed? Pasyal tayo, Lucy. I want to bring you somewhere."

I gaped. "Alam mo ba kung anong oras na, Shiota?"

"Well, imagine strolling the streets at midnight with the person you love." I had no choice but to listen to his fantasies. Brings back memories, huh? Muntik ko nang makalimutan na mahilig nga palang mag-ilusyon ang taong 'to. "Together, you'll feel the gentle wind of the summer breeze. Under the moonlight, your fingers will intertwine as you walk hand to hand. As you stare at the night skies, you're going to think of the names of your future children--"

I interrupted him. "Seriously, Hana? Children?"

"--and you're going to talk about things that you'll do while growing old with each other. Isn't that nice, Lucy?" He ignored my mockery. I could only roll my eyes to him as he smiled sweetly.

"Shut up. It means nothing if the person you love isn't here." pambabara ko at tumayo na ako mula sa kama. "Anyway, let's go. Hindi rin naman ako makakatulog. Mamasyal na lang tayo."

Before slipping out of the house, Hana made me wear a pair of gloves and two more layers of clothing. Maingat kaming lumabas sa bahay nila at nabigla ako noong maglabas si Hana ng bike mula sa garahe nila. May upuan ito sa likuran at pwede kang mag-angkas ng isa. Akala ko maglalakad kami? Whatever.

"It's a bike! Can I borrow it?!" I exclaimed in enthusiasm. Hindi ko na siya hinintay na sumagot at sumakay na ako roon.

Hana looked at me with scornful eyes. "Where's the romance if you're going to pedal? Normally, the girl sits on the back then hugs the person she loves as they venture into the--" Pinutol ko na siya sa pagsasalita dahil paniguradong hindi na naman siya hihinto sa mga ilusyon niya.