Every Flight Counts

Kabanata 17

Enticed

His stare lasted for so long. He has that bewildered look while his lips are apart from each other.

He blinked once. Then twice. Then thrice. Until he looked away.

I saw his adam's apple tensely moved before he sat on the chair accross mine.

"What.. are you saying.." he murmured in a small voice. Walang kalakas-lakas o sigla sa tono niya.

He looks like someone who was caught red-handed.

"Zaid," I seriously said.

He peaked a glance at me like a kid who committed a sin. He sighed.

"What?" he exhaled weakly.

I leaned on the table. "It's okay, you can tell me. We're atleast... friends, right?" I convinced him.

His averting eyes now find mine. He look at me deeply. It was like he was piercing through my soul. Trying to figure out if it would really be fine if he opens up.

He heaved a sigh. "Let's.. eat first,"

I stared at him in suspicion. It looks like he was telling the truth though.

I nodded. "Okay,"

I spoiled myself with the food in front of me. Grabe ang sarap! No joke! Iba rin pala 'to si Esquivel may tinatagong talento! Akalain mo yun?

Hindi ko na mapigilan pang mapapikit-pikit sa bawat subo. Alam mo yung hindi pa 'ko nakakakain sa five star restaurant pero pakiramdam ko kayang-kayang makipagsabayan nito sa mga yun? Ganun yung level.

Gaya rin ng mga sinasabi nila tungkol sa mamahaling restaurant ay hindi masyadong marami ang serving nun. Well, compared sa usual na plate content ng mga pinoy. Nabitin tuloy ako kasi ang sarap talaga. Hinahanap pa ng dila ko yung lasa.

I turned my head to him. "Meron-"

I was cut off by the sight of him.

I caught him staring at me. And by the looks of it, it seems like he was in that position for a while now. Bumagsak ang tingin ko sa plato niya at nakitang wala pa nga halos bawas iyon.

So he was just watching me the whole time I was eating?

He cleared his throat. "You want more?"

There was something in his eyes. He looks... pleased by what he's seeing.

I nodded without saying a word. I was too struck by the sparkle in his eyes.

He immediately stood up and went near me to reach for my plate. I had a sniff of his scent.

Madalas ko naman na siyang maamoy dahil sa pagiging malapit namin sa isa't isa pero parang ngayon ko lang na-appreciate iyon. He smells so... masculine.

Halos habulin pa siya ng ulo ko nang lumayo na siya para kumuha pa ng pasta.

Teka nga, ano yun? Ano ba tong ginagawa ko? I mentally shook my head. Para kong tanga dun ah.

Pinigilan ko na lang muna huminga nang lumapit ulit siya para hindi ako mahalina sa amoy niya. Nakahinga lang ako nang maluwag nang umupo na rin siya sa upuan niya.

I turned my eyes to the food and immediately smiled. Agad kong kinuha ang tinidor upang simulang kumain muli. Bago pa makasubo ay aksidenteng dumapo na naman ang tingin ko sa kanya.