Promise To A Stardust

Kabanata 4

Kabanata 4

"I'M curious. Why did you choose to drive around instead?" I asked. We're sitting in an open field, one of my favorite spots in the small province of Casa Amara where we could see the sea and the stars at the same time.

"I just like to drive around." May ngiti siyang sumulyap. "And I am used to a simple life now,"

"Bakit naman?" I asked, watching him closely to observe further. "I think you came from a rich family. If not rich, middle class. You are good at speaking English. Not that I'm saying anyone can't. Sanay na sanay ka lang."

He smirked. "Sa dami ng kano dito 'di ka ba masasanay sa English?" aniya.

Napatawa ako at napatango. He has a point!

"Saka sanay na 'ko sa pinsan ko, Englishero kasi." Ngumuso siya't inangat ang tingin sa langit. "And I think I like driving, at least now. I felt normal... and she doesn't like rich guys much so..."

"Girlfriend mo?" I asked, even if it left a bitter taste in my mouth.

He glanced my way, the glint of his eyes was sad but the way the stars shone in it–it was beautiful.

"I wish," he mumbled. "I only wish."

"Who was it, then? 'Yan ba 'yong nakaraan?"

"It's... yeah, it's the same woman. She's also a nurse."

Umawang ang labi ko.

"A very beautiful and kind nurse,"

Hindi ko alam ang isasagot. I was astonished by the way he said those words. It was full of admiration and somehow, weirdly enough, I don't feel bitter about it.

"I remembered being involved in an accident," he said, reminiscing a distant memory. "Napaaway kasi 'yong kapatid ko then of course, kapatid ko. I helped him. Nakipagbugbugan rin ako but the police came."

I gasped.

"Oh, basagulero ka pala, e!" I exclaimed. He stopped as if he remembered something and a small, genuine smile left his lips. Napatikhim ako at napaiwas ng tingin.

"Sorry, na-carried away."

He chuckled, nodding.

"Muntik na kaming makulong, buti may witness na nagsabing 'di kami ang may kasalanan kaya 'di na-hold sa presinto. Nga lang, dinala sa ospital. Walang doktor pagkarating namin sa ER, busy lahat, but a nurse saw us. Kumakain pa siya no'n, napadaan lang pero no'ng nakita kaming duguan 'yong mukha sinuksok niya sa bibig 'yong buong tirang sandwich."

I laughed, reminding me of myself. He watched me closely, his eyes gentle.

"Dalawa kayo? Pati 'yong brother mo?"

"Mild lang 'yong sugat niya. Pasa lang pero ako napuruhan talaga, may malaki akong black eye dito." He pointed his eye. "And a cut on my lip, gago rin kasi 'yong kaaway no'ng kapatid ko, nanghampas ba naman ng bote."

"Oh my God!" My eyes widened. "What happened, then? Buti hindi ka napuruhan? Patingin nga!" I cupped his cheek. Tinitigan ko ang mukha niya para suriin, hinahanap ang kung ano mang bakas pero nagsalubong ang tingin namin.

Oxygen caught in my lungs, his eyes the most beautiful shade of green I've ever seen. My aze roamed around his face, from his nose, his cheeks... his lips.

How could someone be this handsome?

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

Our gaze found each other again like magnets drawn to each other. I couldn't look away, and so was he. My heart's literally breathing on my throat.