Chapter 5
But I can't just leave after hearing his words! Natigilan ako at gulat siyang nilingon. He was now looking at me with a mocking smile! He really remembers me from that bar! Gosh. I can't believe it.
My lips parted a bit and I blinked avoiding his mocking gaze.
"I- well... it was supposed to be a restroom and not a m-motel." I said stuttering
I heard him chuckle and shifted his body to face me fully.
"Alam ko. But you see, after knowing you standing there, I can't do what I supposed to do" tumingala ako sa kaniya at nakita ang matang nakakatunaw kung tumitig.
I do not know what to say. I am merely out of air right now. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganito ang nararamdaman ko sa tuwing siya ang kaharap ko, when in fact, I barely know him. He's just too scary and dangerous for my being, I guess.
"I-I'm sorry for the interruption then." I apologize awkwardly.
"Well, I assume you did continue i-it... after--" I added
"Apparently, I can't anymore. You didn't leave my mind after that," he said looking intently at my eyes.
Why does he have to look at me like I was being trapped by him. I don't like this feeling. I don't like being at him at all. Delikado kapag kasama siya. I am feeling ambivalent knowing he's here close to me. Fear, nervous, wanting, longing, I don't know! There are just too many emotions to take and these are all new to me!
I snapped out of my thoughts when I hear someone's voice approaching us.
"Primo. Nandito ka lang pala, tita's been looking for you--" he didn't get to finish his sentence for he was surprised by my presence and same it goes to me.
"Nash?" gulat akong tumingin sa kaniya.
"Oh, Eunice. Magkakilala pala kayo ng pinsan ko?" tanong niya as he draw near us.
I stepped back and face him.
"N-No.. we're just bumped into each other." sabi ko na lang ng hindi tumutingin kay kiel.
"Mabuti naman, well allow me to introduce my dear cousin. This is Kiel--"
"I know her. We barely knew each other Nash" he coldly said and he stepped out. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag dahil dun. Thanks Nash, you saved my ass.
Napabaling naman muli ang atensyon ni Nash sa'kin na kitang-kita ko ang pagkalito sa ekpresyon ng mukha niya.
"Well?" confused he ask and I just shrugged.
"Do you mind, if I take some fresh air outside?" I ask politely.
"Not at all. Tara samahan kita sa labas" sabi niya and we went outside.
The fresh was a bit cold for my bare shoulder but I like the temperature anyway. Nash was standing beside me as I inhale for air na kanina ko pa pinipigilan.
"Seriously, you know my cousin?" tanong niya na siyang ikinagulat ko. Akala ko nakaligtaan na niya yun eh.
"Hindi naman, nagkataon lang na magkakilala sila ng Kuya ko." I said and he slowly nodded.
"Say, bakit ngayon lang kita nakita?" tanong niya tilting his head na para bang binabasa ako.
"It's because I don't do socialize." I plainly answer.
Cocking an eyebrow, he asks, "And why is that?"
I sighed.
"Hindi talaga ako palakaibigan, you see. I don't do parties and all. Trisha insists that I shall come even though I don't know you." I said honestly.
He laughed at me looking so amused at the same time.
"Thanks to Trisha, I get to know you. Buti na lang birthday ko ngayon at may nakilala ako" tumawa pa siya muli at bumaling sa kawalan.
"Oh, you're still on you fourth year diba?" tanong niya muli and I nod.
"I always met girls the same as my age and I barely got interested in them, you know."
He started talking again and I stand there quietly not knowing what to say or to do. Kung aalis na lang kaya ako dito at maghahanap ng ibang lugar kung saan tahimik, pero masyado namang rude kung ganon. Birthday pa naman niya.
"And no one got my type at all. Lahat sila hindi pumasa sa taste ko. Sa tingin mo, bakit kaya?" bumaling siya sa akin kaya napatingin ako sa kaniya.
"Hindi ko alam, maybe you should explore more?" I asked back looking puzzled and heard him laugh. He's a kind of a bright and funny guy.
"That! Tama, maybe I should look more outside baka malay natin nasa tabi ko lang pala ang hinahanap ko." he said and averted his gaze on me. I saw something in his eyes pero agad yun nawala ng tumawa siya ng mahina. I was taken back a little but I maintain my posture.
"Joke lang, Eunice."
"Mahilig ka palang magbiro." I chuckle.
"Mahilig din ako magseryoso."
Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya kung kaya't napalingon ako sa gawi niya. He's already looking at me having a serious face. Hindi siya seryoso diba? How can you be interested in someone you only just met? Is this possible?
After a short stare, bigla siyang tumawa na mas ikinagulat ko. Timang ata 'tong si Nash eh.
"I'm sorry, nakakatawa lang kasi yung expression mo. I was just kidding Eunice. Joke lang." tumawa pa siya at inirapan ko na lang siya.
"Nasher!" narinig ko ang pagtawag sa kaniya mula sa loob.
"See you around, hinahanap na nila ako." sabi niya habang tumatawa pa. I just nod and he went inside.
Naiwan ako mag-isa at nagbuntong hininga na lang. Kailangang sanayin ko na sarili ko with other people. Marami pa akong makilala at this age.
"I thought you don't socialize, but the way you talk with my cousin parang sanay na sanay ka na." I startled with the voice behind me.
Hindi ko man lang napansin na nasa gilid ko na sa Kiel kung nasaan si Nasher kanina. Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko at kumalma rin kalaunan.
"You startled me."
"Akala ko pa naman, you're a shy type of person according to your brother. Pero baka nagkakamali talaga siya sayo." he said.
"Excuse me? As far as I remember, we're not that close enough to mind each other's businesses." I snap him out and leave him there.
