The One Who Stares Behind

KABANATA 33

I lost track of how long Lexus and I stared at each other. The rain continued to fall around us, a witness to our unspoken emotions.

His hands cupped my face, and the emotions in his eyes were intense.
"I'm sorry for what I said, Kasianna. I was wrong, and I wish I could take those words back."

"Your words hurt me, but I guess I was too quick to forgive you. I forgive you, Lexus." He smiled and suddenly wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close to his wet body.

Despite the cold, I felt warmth and contentment.

"I think I'm so deeply inlove with you. Hindi ko na iaatras 'to."

Mabilis na dumagundong sa pagtibok ang puso ko at tila huminto ang oras kasabay ng paghinto ng ulan. Para bang nakikiisa ito sa damdaming namamayani sa akin ngayon.

Hindi parin ako makagalaw at nanatiling nakayakap sa kanya. Napapikit na lamang ako at napapangiti habang nagpapault ulit ang mga salitang iyon sa pandinig ko.

I didn't expect him to say that. Lexus is the type of man who rarely shows sincere emotions, but at this moment, I can feel his sincerity.

"Are you still blushing?" he asked as I pulled away from his embrace.

"What?"

"Ang sabi ko kinikilig ka parin ba?
Hindi ka parin makapagsalita. Siguro nga ay kinikilig ka." Damn, this man.

I shot him a look, causing him to smile."Stop being so cute, or I might kiss you."

"W-what?!"

"Come on. I'll drive you home before you catch a cold."

"Sweet," I commented softly.

"Just for you." I bursted out a small laugh.

Shit. Kinikilig nga yata ako.
Hindi ko alam na mas lalala yata ang nararamdaman ko para dito.

"Let's get inside."

"My car? Your car?"

"Mine."

"What about my-"

He traced his thumb on the corner of my lips, making me freeze. "Just be quiet, okay? Come on. I won't do anything bad to you," he said with a smile.

Bakit ganito ang epekto ng nilalang na 'to sa sistema ko? Dahil sa nilalamig na rin naman ako ay nagpatiuna na akong maglakad. I don't want to be this close to him-not because I don't like him, but because I don't want to feel so vulnerable. I can't resist him.

When he's this near, I lose control. I'm in trouble.

I quickened my pace as I felt him catching up.

"Why are you walking so fast?"

"Because it's raining."

"Seriously? Just realized that now? You're still drunk? There's no rain anymore."

Napahinto ako at napatitig sa paligid.
Wala na ngang ulan. Ano ba tong ikinikilos ko? Nakakahiya.

"It's obvious when you're lying."
Huli na nang mapansin kong tuluyan na itong nakalapit sakin ngunit muli akong natigilan nang bigla ay ngumiti ito.

What.the.hell.
Wala na. Hulog na nga ako.

" It's already late. I'll take you home."

"And why would you do that?"

"Because I want to."

"R-right."

I heard him chuckle. "Why are you avoiding me? You're avoiding me so much that you're heading in the wrong direction."

"Ha?" I asked, puzzled.

When I met his gaze, he was looking at me intently.

"Nandoon ang sasakyan ko."
Matawa tawang turo nito sa kotse niyang nakaparada hindi kalayuan sa amin.

"Ofcourse! Hindi ko alam ang hitsura ng sasakyan mo. O kung may sasakyan ka pala. Akala ko ay ang motor mo lang ang gingamit mo."

"Okay."

He seemed hesitant but smiled again, revealing a deep dimple on his left cheek.

That was so perfect. I struggled not to look at him again. No.

"Lexus."

"Hmm? What is it, Lovelle?"

"Stop that."

"Stop what?" he asked with a smile. Shit, Lexus. You don't know what you're doing to me.

"That..."

"What are you talking about?"

"Stop smiling."

"Why?"

Because I keep falling harder and harder.

"Just because... you look like an idiot."

"Kunwari ay naniniwala ako."

"Really. You are." Sagot ko dito na hindi man lang ito tinatapunan ng tingin. Kahit ang sarili ko ay hindi kumbinsido sa sinabi ko.

"Really? Because your eyes say otherwise. You can lie, but your eyes are too honest."

"Why are you silent?"

I felt his hand lift my face, and our eyes met again.

"I told you, Lexus. I'm a great liar."

"Yes, you are. But sadly, your eyes can't lie."

I turned my face away. "It's too cold here," I whispered.

"I'll make it warm." His words made my eyes widen, but his laughter made my heart race.

"You and your dirty mind.  Who taught you that? What I meant was this."

Without saying more, he took my hand, claiming it as his. "Your hand fits perfectly in mine."

He always makes me feel this way-this electric charge every time our skin touches.

Napatingin ako sa kamay naming magkahawak. Wala sa sarili akong napangiti.

Yes. It's perfect.