Stonehearts 8: Peridot

Twelve

Alas-dose na ng nakalapag kami sa Maynila. Nakailang nakaw ako ng tingin kay Kiel pero ni minsan hindi niya ako tinignan. Mukhang pagod siya at parang ansama ng pakiramdam niya dahil panay ang hilot niya sa sentido niya.

Nang nakalabas na kami ng arrival area, sinalubong kami ng maingay at magulo na kalsada ng siyudad. Something I didn't miss. A few cab drivers pulled over but Kiel just shook his head while he fumbles with his phone.

I peered at him, thinking how to bid him good bye especially with his fingers still intertwined with mine.

"Umm. . ." napatikhim ako dahil parang nanunuyo ang lalamunan ko. "Kiel," tawag ko sa kanya.

Agad naman siyang nagtaas ng tingin, kahit nakasuot siya ng shades alam kong diretso sa'kin ang titig niya. "Baby." He answered, matching my tone with a smirk.

I looked away and bit my lip. Why do I feel so uneasy?

"Aalis na ako." Bulong ko. "Mauna na ako, thank you ulit sa. . .sa lahat."

He cocked his head sideways, his mocking grin still intact. "Okay. Umalis ka kung kaya mo."

Napakunot-noo ako saka sinubukang agawin pabalik ang kamay ko pero hinigpitan niya lang ang kapit doon.  "Paano ako aalis, eh, ayaw mo kong bitawan?" I glared, but still feeling all mushy and weak inside.

"Kaya nga sabi ko kung kaya mo." He snickered. "As if, I'm letting you go." He murmured, but loud enough for me to hear.

I chewed my bottom lip and went silent. How can he say those things so casually?

When his phone chimed, he quickly look at it and smiled. Something inside me stung, like pins and needles slowly piercing through.

It was fast to consume me because I wasn't able to hold back my words, "Oh, tine-text ka na ng mga babae mo. Umuwi ka na." It sounded so bitter I can taste it on my tongue.

He looked shocked at first, before a slow and breath taking grin took over his face. Hinarap niya sa'kin ang cellphone niya para ipakita ang ginagawa niya. It's the Grab App, and I think he booked us a ride home.

"Mga? There's only you." He murmured. "Though I like the jealousy, baby. Turns me on that I want to kiss you senseless."

And before I know it, he gave my hand a hard tug making me crash my body to his. He quickly let go of my fingers and looped it on my waist.

"But, I won't kiss you like that here." He whispered before he stole a quick peck on my lips.

Saka niya ako pinakawalan, ngunit agad na nahanap ng kamay niya ang akin at bumalik kami sa dati naming posisyon. Napahawak ako sa labi ko, 'yong mga salita niya paulit-ulit sa isipan ko.

There's only me? What does he mean by that? Muli akong tumingin sa kanya at busy nanaman siyang mag-text. I think he murmured something about the Grab driver arriving at the wrong gate.

I was only able to think clearly when an Innova parked in front of us. Kiel confirmed the plate number and proceeded to open the back seat door for me to hop in.

"Will just load our luggage at the back." Paalam niya saka humalik muli sa'kin.

Napaurong ako sa kabilang dulo ng upuan at naghintay. Iniisip ko kung ano ang mangyayari kung bumaba ako at tumakbo palayo. Will he really get mad like what Era says?

Then I remembered him wanting to break apart my hotel room door. Yup, he'll be furious. But what I don't understand is his take away from this? What keeps him fuelled in doing this? More importantly, why is he so adamant in pursuing me?