Every Flight Counts

Kabanata 11

Anticipation

Nakalabas na ang mga audience.

Nakapagligpit na ang mga staff.

Natapos na ang lahat.

Pero pakiramdam ko ay nakalutang pa rin ako.

Maging ang makahulugang ngiti ng mga nasa backstage nang magpaalam na kaming lahat sa isa't isa ay hindi ko na nabigyang pansin.

Nakapako ang tingin ko sa sahig na nilalakaran.

Tulala sa daan habang naglalakad sa hagdan pababa ng entablado.

Kahit nang marating na ang lapag at magsisimula nang baybayin ang bakanteng amphitheater ay bagsak lang ang tingin ko.

Natigilan ako nang may marinig.

Palakpak.

Kumunot ang noo ko.

Unti-unting umangat ang tingin ko para mahanap kung saan nanggaling iyon.

Mas lalo lang kumunot ang noo ko sa nakita.

Si Zaid.

Prenteng naka-upo sa front row at naka-dekwatro. He was eyeing me amusingly as he continued to clap his hands slowly but loudly.

Umirap ako para maiwasan ang tingin niya.

He chuckled. The hair on my nape almost stood up by the sound of it.

My gaze automatically returned back to him. His muscular arms are now crossed in front of his chest as his gaze remained darted to me.

I can sense the humor in his stare.

"Damn.. You never fail to amaze me, Ellie." he said with a grin.

For an unknown reason, my heart unconsciously raced as he started to stand up on his feet.

His eyes never left me. An amused grin remained plastered on his face.

"Really, though? A public confession from a girl like you?" he asked while smirking.

I clenched my fist.

"Bakit? Lalaki lang ba ang pwedeng umamin? Porket babae bawal nang gawin yon?"

His brows raised in amusement.

"I didn't say that.."

He put his hands inside the pocket of his black slacks as he started taking steps near me.

I suddenly felt my throat getting dry.

"So.. what's next? Liligawan mo na siya?"

Ngumisi siya nang nakakaloko habang sarkastikong nakataas ang kilay.

My brows furrowed.

"Ano naman kung ganoon nga? Wala namang masama kung gagawin ko nga iyon," matapang na sabi ko.

He teasingly nodded his head.

"Well then," he shrugged his shoulders. "I'm sorry to break it to you, Ellie, but I'm sure ngayon pa lang, basted ka na."

Napaawang ang labi ko. I can feel the heat instantly arising from my insides.