CHAPTER 9.2

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FOR THE REST of the day, Andrew and Julia went to different places. Para silang mag turista na umikot sa iba't ibang lugar, kumain ng iba't ibang pagkain at in-enjoy ang araw na iyon. It was almost sunset when they decided to go home. After riding the bike, they walked side by side on the road, holding each other hands. Hindi sila nag-uusap, ngunit minsan, nahuhuli niyang nakatingin lamang sa kanya si Andrew saka sila sabay na mapapangiti.

Hindi maintindihan ni Julia kung anong ibig sabihin ng mga ngiti nilang iyon, pero sigurado siyang kinikilig siya dahil doon. Andrew was the first ever person who was able to make her feel this way—iyong para bang sasabog na ang puso niya dahil lamang sa simpleng mga tingin at ngiti. And she was so sure this day was different for him too.

Pagdating nila sa bahay, sinalubong sila ng ahjumma at sinabi nitong may iniwan itong mga damit para sa kanila sa kani-kanilang mga kwarto. When they were in front of her room, she was so hesistant to let go of his hands. "Kah," ani Andrew sa kanya. He looked at her intently. "Freshen up and let's eat after."

Tumango siya, ngunit wala sa kanilang dalawa ang kumikilos para maghiwalay. Instead they just looked at each other saying nothing. Until finally, Andrew sighed and let her go. "Geunyang kaseyo, hindi pupwedeng matigas ang ulo natin dahil magpapatigasan lang tayo." He patted her head before leaving her to enter his room.

Almost an hour later, nasa loob parin siya ng kwarto at suot suot na ang bagong mga damit na ipinahiram sa kanya ng ahjumma. Ewan pero parang excited na siyang muling makita si Andrew.

Paglabas niya ng kwarto ay agad niyang hinahanap ang binata. Bahagya nang madilim sa labas at tahimik na ang kabuuan ng lugar. Hindi niya iyon gaanong napansin kagabi dahil mas pre-occupied at pagod siya. But this time, the silence in the neighbourhood was unfamiliarly comforting. Lumabas siya para samyuhin ang malamig na simoy ng hangin.

Ngunit paglabas niya, noon niya nakita si Andrew. Nakatayo hindi kalayuan sa kanya, ngunit nakatuon ang mga mata nito sa labas ng maliit na gate ng tinutuluyan nilang bahay. Side profile lamang nito ang nakikita niya, ngunit sapat na iyon para muli na namang bumilis ang tibok ng puso niya. Looking at him now, she realized that doesn't look so lanky. Even though he's a little bit skinny, he is tall and his posture made him bigger than he actually is. Alam niya, dahil nang yakapin nya ito kanina, napatunayan niyang hindi naman ito kasing payat ng inaasahan niya.

Lalapitan na sana niya ang lalaki ng makita niya hawak nito sa kaliwang kamay nito. He is smoking. Nanatili si Julia sa kanyang kinatatayuan at pinagmasdan lamang si Andrew.

Alam niyang masama sa katawan ng tao ang sigarilyo, but looking at him now, he can effortlessly convince that anyone who smokes can look this good. Her eyes followed the way the cigarette touched his lips. And for some reason, she wanted to be that cigarette.

Ano ba tong mga naiisip ko?

Huminga ng malalim si Andrew saka nito ibinuga ang usok paakyat sa langit. He closed his eyes for a while and when he opened them, he turned towards her direction. There goes the intensity of his stare again. "So, you smoke?" aniya habang naglalakad papalapit dito.

Nagkibit balikat ito saka inapakan ang sigarilyong may sindi pa. "Bakit, turn off ba?"

"No," she answered honestly and looked at him intently.

He cocked his head to the side and raised an eyebrow at her. "Why do you always look at me that way?"

"I don't know, but I like looking at you."

"You like me?"

She swallowed hard, yet she knew the answer would come out naturally. "I think I do."

Andrew took a step towards her and cupped her face. "You can't Ramen Lady. I told you, I only love myself."

Upon hearing his words, a smile broke in her lips. "I know, that's why I like you more." And without much thought, she closed the gap between them.

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