Light Up The Spark

Chapter 8

Sunflower

Humalukipkip ako habang hinila ako ng dalawa palayo konti kay Andres.

"What is this about, Luke?" Medyo inis ko nang sabi.

"Aly, uh-" Luke looks problematic, but he couldn't say what's on his mind.

"Wait, so iiwan mo kami? Paano ang team namin, walang guide?" Si Caden naman.

I seriously don't know why I'm having this conversation with these two.

"Nariyan naman si Ms. Sevilla and Kenzie agreed to look after you."

"Kaya ba ni Kenzie yun? That's a lot of participants to handle." Luke finally said.

Kumunot ang noo ko, bakit parang pinipigilan ako ng dalawang to? It was as if something hit me when I thought of something.

"Shoot! Do you also have a date?" Tanong ko kay Luke. "I'm so sorry, hindi ko naisip yun at pumayag na ako kay Andres. Don't worry, we'll just have a quick dinner and I'll be back at the hotel fast para ikaw naman ang makaalis!" Sunod – sunod kong sabi pagkatapos ay humarap naman kay Caden.

"Luke and Kenzie will look after your team so if you need anything find them, paki-sabi nalang sa teammates mo."

I didn't give them any chance to say anything else at tinalikuran ko na sila para makaalis na kami ni Andres.

It was totally inconsiderate of me na hindi ko naisip pwede palang yung mga kasama ko may lakad din. I'll just make this fast para sila naman ang maka-celebrate.

"I'm sorry about that, Andres." I told him as we walked our way to the subway.

"It's totally fine, I understand you have responsibilities as the organizer."

He's told me the place he reserved for us at familiar naman yun sakin kaya pumayag ako.

The date actually went smoothly. Akala ko hindi kami makakasakay agad sa subway dahil madaming tao pero hindi naman; akala ko matatagalan pa kami bago makasimula sa pagkain pero our order was served immediately; akala ko magiging awkward kaming dalawa ni Andres pero hindi naman, light at masaya naman ang topic namin.

Dessert na ang kinakain namin. Hindi ko alam kung mabilis ba talagang kumain si Andres o sinsabayan niya lang ako dahil halata ang pagmamadali ko.

"Andres..." I called and slowed down in eating. "This night has really been nice and you are such wonderful company."

Agad na napawi ang ngiti niya nang marinig ako. Hindi naman buong nawala ang ngiti pero halatang pilit nalang ang ipinapakita.

"I don't like where this is going." He chuckled nervously.

"I just don't want to get your hopes high, alright? I thank you for liking me and I appreciate your efforts. I wanted to at least do something for you since I couldn't reciprocate your feelings. Look, Andres, I really hope we could stay as friends because I really enjoy bonding with you and we've known each other for more than a year now."

May ngiti parin sa mga labi ni Andres pero kita ang kalungkutan sa mga mata niya.

"How could I say no to your offer when you are rejecting me so kindly? You are seriously the only person I've known that is still so kind even when you are turning someone down." He chuckled.

I shrugged. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"You should."

"Friends? I swear, only if you want to. I would understand if you choose not to see me anymore."