DUBBED (Social Media Series #1)

XIII

Nandito na kami sa tapat ng bahay nila Chloe. Nasa likod naman ang sasakyan ni Charles. 

"Salamat sa paghatid,  ingat ka ha" I said at akmang bubuksan na ang pinto nang bigla hawakan niya ang kamay ko. Napalingon naman ako sakaniya.

He handed me a small box.  Napakunot naman ako. "Wh-what's this? " i asked.

"My christmas gift" he said and gave me a small smile. Napasinghap naman ako.  Fudge,  i don't have any gift for him.  Hindi ko kasi alam na magkikita pala kami.

"Eli,  you don't have to do this"

"Why?  it's Christmas anyway. Is it bad to give gift to someone you love? " he said and chuckled.

Someone you love. 

"No,  that's not what I meant.  Ano kasi,  to-to be honest I don't have a gift for you hindi ko kas--" he cut me off.  "Sabi ko na nga ba eh,  naasa lang talaga ako sayo" he said while pulling his hand off me and looked away. Biglang bumigat ang pakiramdam ko. 

"Hindi ko naman kasi alam na magki-" he cut me off again.  "Okay lang. Wag na natin pagusapan" he said at bumuntang hininga. 

I looked down and bit my lip. Hindi ko naman talaga alam na magkikita kami eh. Napalingon ulit ako sakaniya ng marinig ko siya na tumawa ng mahina hanggang sa lumakas ito.  Napakunot naman ako ng noo.

"Oh-pftt HAHAHA I'm--i'm just joking Spice"

Sinamaan ko naman siya ng tingin.  Akala ko talaga galit siya sa akin.

"Ako nanliligaw dito,  siyempre nagpapabango ako. It's not your responsibility to give back.  I just want you to show and prove to you that I really really like you" he said and suddenly held my hand.

"All you need is to be who you are.  I won't rush things.. I am willing to wait, Spice. " he said and kissed the back of my hand.  I suddenly felt shivers when his lips met my bare skin.  Napalingon naman ako sa ibang direksyon.  Nakaramdam ako bigla ng hiya. 

"Can I,  put this to you? " he said, referring to the box. "Su-sure" I said. 

He opened the box and it was a silver necklace with a small bell pendant.  Napakunot naman ako.  Bell pendant? Tumalikod na lang ako and I felt his hands holding my hair. Pinauna niya ito para hindi sumabit ang necklace.

"Alam mo bang lagi kong hinihintay ang pagcomment mo sa mga tiktok videos ko."

I suddenly stopped. 

"I like the way you put yellow hearts in the comment section. " he said again.  I bit my lip.  Di ko kinakaya ang kilig siz! He put the necklace and started to enclosed it.

"Did you know why it was a bell pendant? " he asked.  Nang maramdaman kong naisara niya na, ay bumaling naman ako sakaniya. Umiling lang ako.  Bakit nga ba?