Mere Words

Chapter 16

It's been two days since that happened. Dalawang araw na rin na hindi nagpaparamdam sa akin ang hiwaga ng libro.

I was agitated, I admit. I was just curious of what might had happened for that past two days.

I tried to open the book to read it at least. Pero tanging blankong mga pahina ang bumubungad sa akin.

Right then, I realized that the book has its timing. It depends on it whether it'll allow me to transport in that parallel world or not... And all I can do is to wait.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

"Ay bayabas!"

Inayos ko ang nagalaw na salamin at tinapunan ng tingin ang taong nasa likuran ko.

"Great."

My eyes got wider when I realized who it was. I was even more embarrassed when what I just had blurted out dawned on me.

"S-sorry, i-its just came out of habit," I tried to appease.

I tapped my forehead inwardly when I realized what I just had said again. He might have it the wrong way.

"I-I mean, p-parang gusto kong kumain ngayon ng bayabas kaya ga-gano'n."

I felt my cheeks heated. Amusement was vivid on his eyes. There was a small smile on the side of his lips that I tried to disregard, but failed.

"Nah, I get that alot. I don't mind."

Sinusundan ko siya ng tingin habang inusog niya ang upuan sa tabi ko. Pagkatapos ay umupo siya nang magkalayo ang mga tuhod at ang magkabilang kamay ay nakapatong sa kaniyang ulo.

"What do you mean?" I tried to strike a conversation, 'cause I don't think I could stand the silence. But then, curious lang din talaga ako sa sinabi niya.

Iniwas ko ang aking mga tingin nang bumaling siya sa akin. Anything inside the room became interesting to me out of a sudden.

"People I knew often made fun of my name. Well, I can't blame them. This is the downside of having a weird name."

"I-I don't think it's weird."

"Yeah?"

I nodded. "I find it unique actually. Abbas-"

"The bayabas," he joked.

Unconsciously, I pouted. I just don't like how he's making fun of himself. I mean, I meant it. I really did find his name unique.

He stopped laughing when he realized that I didn't find his joke funny. He turned uncomfortable. Dahil doon ay bigla rin akong nakaramdam ng kahihiyan.

"Hey, I was just trying to lighten the mood, okay? But, thank you."

He showed me his warm smile for the first time. Iniwas ko na lang ang tingin, baka sakaling maitago mula sa kaniya ang pamumula ng aking mukha.

I collected my things and put it in my bag as I asked him, "Bakit nga pala ganiyan ang pangalan mo?"

I stopped from what I was doing, and faced him seriously.

"No offense meant, pero ngayon ko lang kasi narinig ang pangalang ganiyan. That's why I found it unique. Did your mom get it from a book? Or, i-ipinaglihi ka niya sa--" I was hesitant for the latter.

"Sa bayabas?" he continued.

My God, Laurie! That's so insensitive of you. May pa 'No offense' ka pa talaga niyan, ha?

I felt the weight lightened when he chuckled.

"I don't think craving guava when pregnant is healthy," he was still laughing.