Coruscate

Seven

He still wasn't letting my hand go. He dragged me towards the lift and pressed the basement button.

"Here you go. Wipe your tear streaked face." He handed a handkerchief to me.

"Is it malinis?" He chuckled at my question.

"Yes missy. Teka, you haven't told me your name yet." Huh, di niya ako kilala. That's a relief then.

"Di mo ako kilala? Seriously?" Napatigil ako sa pag punas ng luha ko dahil sa sinabi niya.

"Uhmmm, yeah I really don't. I just got back here last week. I've been living in Australia for the past years. Wait, sikat ka ba? Artista ganun?"

"Uhh no. I just... nevermind. Can you let go now?" Napatingin siya sa kamay niya na nakahawak sakin.

"Nope. Tell me your name first. Also baka tumakas ka at bumalik sa rooftop. No way." Okay he's still worried.

"Kristia. Hindi na ko babalik sa rooftop. Okay na?" He's grinning now. And slowly he let go of me.

"Okay. Kristia. Cute. But I bet you're cuter when you smile." Okay he's weird. I should just go to my unit. But then he might know where I live.

Akala ko makakatakas na ko sakanya but when the elevator opened he grabbed my hand again and led me towards his car. He clicked the keyfob and opened the door for me.

"Hope you like Japanese food. I had enjyed my meal last night at this ramen place. You'll love it."

Sobrang nakakaannoy na ayaw niya ko pabayaan na lang. I just stared at him in protest pero he just pushed me inside his car slightly. I sighed and just got inside and put on my seatbelt.

He went to the driver's side and started the car. We were silent until we exited the basement parking of the condo building.

"So, I guess you live in the condo rin. I'm at the 27th floor by the way. In case you need someone to talk to or something. Uhmmm you're awfully quiet. Do you like ramen?" He glances on me every now and then.

"Yea sure. Ramen."

"Well, I love ramen. It's my comfort food. Like hugs in a steaming hot bowl. Di ako masamang tao so I hope you get comfortable with me even if it seems like I forced you to come with me."

"You basically kidnapped me though. To eat ramen. With you." I was fidgety. But he just laughed.

"Okay yea, but don't I look too gwapo to become a kidnapper?" I side glanced him. And well I hate to admit it but he is really cute. Very boyish looking. Far from Ethan who's very manly.

"I guess you're okay. Just drive and take me to that ramen place." He grinned at me. I sighed in defeat.

"So gwapo ako for you?" I rolled my eyes this time.

"I just said your okay looking. Definitely far from my type." I said the last part to annoy him.

"So what's your type then?"

"Can we not talk about that one? I'm not in the mood."

"Let's play 20 questions. I'll let you go first." He is so annoying.

"Can we just drive there silently?"

"Wow, you just wasted your first question on that one. Nope. Are you still in school?"

"Yes. Can we stop this game now?"

"No. Are you antisocial? Oh wait that's not my question."

"Yes. So please stop annoying me. Are we there yet?"

"Almost. Do you wanna share your problems with me? I'm a good listener. Besides they say it's better to tell strangers your problems because no judgements."

I contemplated on telling him. "I don't know. Will you pay for our food?" I mean I was dragged to eat by a stranger, might as well eat for free.

"Since I was the one who dragged you here. Sure. As long as you promise not to try what you did earlier again. Promise?" He stopped the car and looked straight at me. I gulped and felt his intense stare.

"Promise. Why did you came back to Manila?" I asked him while we were getting out of his car.

"I miss Manila. I recently graduated and I have a job waiting for me at my lolo's company." He grinned and dragged me towards the quaint ramen shop.

We took a a seat on one of the booths. This place is small but really cozy. There's a tablet where we would place our order. He entered both of ours, not asking for my preference.

"Do you like spicy food? Because I ordered you something mildly spicy."

"I'm good with spicy. But what if I have food allergies? You didn't asked me my preference." His eyes bulged out. His reaction was funny.

"Woahhh! You laughed!" I freezed. I didn't notice I was laughing.

"Nooooo! Please laugh again. You're really pretty when you look happy. Can you at least smile?"

"I'm... I... can you stop it?"

"You're really really cute. A cute little tomato." He pinched my cheeks. I feel my cheeks burning! I'm sure I'm so red right now. I'm annoyed.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to touch you like that. It's just I can't help myself to pinch your cheeks. You're really cute. Forgive me?" Why does he look like a puppy?!

"Fine, just stop teasing me. Can you please not talk for 5 minutes?" I glared at him. I need to calm myself so my face would go back to normal.

Deep breaths. In. Out. In. Out. Act normal. Act normal. I felt my cheeks, they're no longer hot. I guess I'm not as red as a tomato now.

"Okay 5 minutes are up. So do you actually have food allergies?"

"You really counted the time? No I don't have food allergies."

"I did count. It's hard to stop talling to you. You make words flow easily from my mouth. Can we be friends?"

"I don't know. I don't even know you. What if you're a serial killer and you target lonely girls to murder?"

"I just saved you from falling. I'm not a murderer. You're silly. I'm glad you're my first friend here in Manila. Can you show me around tomorrow?"

"I don't plan on seeing you again after this. Besides, game over." The server came with our bowls of steaming hot ramen. Ohhhh it smells so good!

"You're smiling again! You know you're really pretty especially when you smile. Just show me around tomorrow please. It will be so nice to sight see Manila with a pretty tour guide."

"You know what, flattery can only go so long. We'll see about that."

I took a sip of the broth and wow this is really good ramen.