The Idol's Love Story

CHAPTER 5: Test Of Courage

And now, the both of our hands are tied to each other. Kailangan daw mag holding-hands but the both of us insisted not to. Kaya wala namang nagawa si PIO. Tinali nalang niya, pero nakabitay lang ang mga kamay namin.

I let out a sigh. Sa dinami-dami naman ng babae sa campus, why would it be her? Ginulo ko ang buhok ko for I feel really frustrated (a habit)

"I don't like this either. Stop ruffling your hair and let's get this over in a flash." Is what she said but she's trembling so hard.

Napansin kong ginawa niyang kamao yung dalawa niyang kamay at nag-umpisa nang maglakad. What is she afraid of?

"I really can't do it!" She said and bent down kaya napaluhod nalang din ako kasi nakatali nga kami. I raised one of my eyebrow as I stroke a non-existent beard on my chin. "Ho~ what now? You're afraid?" I can't help but to grin as I tease her.

Yumuko siya kaya't di ko nakita ang mukha niya. "The one and only Korree Bailey is afraid of the da--"

"Yes, I'm afraid! WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT?!" I didn't notice earlier but as she turned to look at me, I saw her.. crying.

A different side of Korre Bailey. The true one. I didn't expect this coming.

"I'M AFRAID OF DARKNESS AND I HAVE A PHOBIA SO CALLED NYCTOPHOBIA AND IT SUCKS!"  Patuloy na umagos ang mga luha niya.

"S-sorry." I couldn't help but to look startled as I apologize. Pinunasan niya ang kaniyang mga mata gamit ang puti niyang panyo. "Darn it, and now you know."

I was still stunned. It was a rare sight to watch the Star Princess cry because of the fear. And it seemed... deep.

Dahil sa kacurious-an ko, di ko na napigilan ang bunganga ko sa pagtatanong. "Ba't ka nag-participate kung natatakot ka naman pala sa madidilim na lugar?"

"No one should know." I got a bit confused with her answer. "No one should know about this weakness." Her tone was so serious. Marami pang tanong ang nasa ulo ko. But, I can't be that nosy. Hindi rin naman kami close.

I sighed and stood up. "Okay, whatever your reason, let's just get this over. I don't wanna be stuck on this dark mini-forest for long." Inilahad ko ang kamay ko na nakangiti trying to be as kind as possible para matulungan siyang tumayo.

But she just turned her head away from me. Gah! My blood is rising right now! I was angry but I still kept my smile. And then I heard her speak.

"I d-don't think I can stand." My expression just turned blank. "Ha-ha. Wag ka naman magbiro." Sambit ko. Pero wala siyang imik so I sighed.

"Fine. Grab on my back." Sabi ko at umupo para buhatin siya. She hesitated at first but eventually gave in. Wala siyang ibang nagawa.

I carried her. This is so awkward. Naririnig ko ang paghinga niya. Ang lapit ng bibig niya sa tainga ko. It's so embarassing! Lalo na sa kanya. Kasi siya yung ang taas ng pride. I have to say something to enlighten this awkward mood.

"You're heavy af." Saying that made me get a slap on my shoulder. Ang sakit niyang manapak ah. Pero di ko nalang pinansin.

Naglakad na kami.. ako lang pala. "Ano pala pangalan mo?" Tanong niya bigla sa akin. Right. Matagal na niya akong inaaway pero hindi pa niya ako kilala.

"Welnik. Welnik Ornea." Agad ko namang sagot. Pero bumuka na naman ang bunganga niya.

"Bakit di moko tinawanan kanina? You're supposed to laugh you know? After learning that the One and Only Star Princess has a Nyctophobia. Blah blah blah." Dagdag niya.

"I didn't laugh, but I just grinned. Happy now?" I rolled my eyes. Napatango-tango naman siya.

"I'm carrying you right now, but that doesn't mean I have forgiven you about what you did to us back then, in the first day." Sambit ko. She nervously chuckled. "S-sorry."