Le Penchant

18| friends?

"A-ah..." Tumango-tango ako, bahagyang iniiwas kay Calixto ang mukha ko para hindi niya makita ang kahihiyan na pumipinta rito.

Napaka-assuming mo kasi Hershey, mas lalo mo pang pinapalala mga alalahanin mo sa buhay 'e.

"You live here now?"

Napatingin ako sa kaniya at mabilis ko rin naman pinawi ang direksyon ng mga mata ko nang makita kung ga'no kaseryoso ang mukha niya, his brows were furrowed, it was as if he's calculating my whole presence. I awkwardly looked up, siningkit ko ang mga mata ko at nagpakawala ng pilit na tawa.

"Yes," tipid kong sagot, while my hands were busy fumbling with my phone.

"You know, it's rude to not look at the person who's talking to you," his voice was raspy, napakagat naman ako ng labi at onti-unting binaba ang tingin ko. I slightly tilted my head to look at him.

"Have a nice stay, Engineer Hesquintes," pormal niyang pagkakasabi, lumagpas na siya sa harap ko pero nagmadali akong pigilan siya.

"W-wait!"

My eyes widened when I realized I stopped him by holding his wrist, he gave me an amused look. Binitawan ko agad ang pagkakahawak ko sa palapulsuhan niya, I took a step back in embarrassment. I wanted to pull my hair in frustration, lagi nalang akong nasestress pagdating sa kaniya!

"I just-I," I closed my mouth when I failed to speak straight.

Siguro, mukha na akong tanga rito na patuloy lang na na-uutal sa kaniya.

"What?"

I panicked when I noticed how bored his expression looked, I faked a cough to mask up my emotions. Goodness, don't I look stupid enough.

"I just wanted to say sorry, for ruining your car, your-" natigilan ako ng biglang tumunog ang tiyan ko, pareho gulat ang gumuhit sa mga mukha namin.

As If I haven't embarrassed myself enough...

I was already flustered when he stifled out a laugh, sumama ang tingin ko sa kaniya pero natigilan kaming dalawa ng lumakas ang pagtunog ng tiyan ko. Mas lalo naman siyang natawa, unable to control his laughter, while I couldn't be more embarrassed than how I am right now. Sinasabi ko na nga ba, don't skip meals.

"Aalis na 'ko-" but it was his turn to stop me by catching my hand.

Napalunok ako nang magtama ang tingin namin. "Do you want to have dinner?" Lumaki ang mata ko sa sinabi niya, napasinghap ako ng hangin nang makitang seryoso siya. "Kasama ka?" I uncomfortably asked.

Naguguluhan siyang tumingin sa paligid namin, his hand still not letting go of mine. "Yeah?" He said, his tone unsure. "We're the only ones here right?" He stated the obvious, making me hold in a laugh, muli pa siyang tumingin sa paligid para masigurado siyang kami nga lang dalawa ang nasa labas pa ng floor na 'to. Magmamadaling araw na kasi.

"Right," I nodded.

"Is that a yes?"

I wanted to laugh when he crinkled his nose, waiting for my answer. Tatango na dapat ako pero natigilan ako, napagtanto ko ulit na marami nga pala akong atraso sa kaniya. I wanted to atleast lessen the burden I brought him... So maybe treating him dinner would actually compensate the situation?

"My treat?" I squeaked out.

He looked at me ridiculously. "I can pay-" he tried to protest but I cut him off. "Please? It's an apology for ruining your car," napangiwi ako nang maalala ko na ang eksena ng pagsuka ko sa kotse niya. His brows rose up, slowly letting go of my hand. Mas lalo lang nag-init ang mukha ko nang maisip ko kung ga'no katagal niya na palang hinahawakan ang kamay ko.