Speaking Heartbeats

Heartbeat 6

Heartbeat 6

Hindi pinansin ni Andrei si Michael. Instead, he grabbed the cap and threw it back to him.

"Miss.."

Mariin ang kaniyang mga titig sa akin.

"I'll be meeting your parents tomorrow. I'll attend your graduation."

Nangunot ang aking noo sa kaniyang sinabi. "What?"

The corners of his lips gently rose. "Let's make it legal, miss."

Ginagap niya ang aking kanang palad. "Sigurado na ako rito... sa ating dalawa."

Someone scoffed that interrupted our stares. Andrei frowned when he drew his stares to Michael and Cleyton. He stood up, held my hand, and pulled me inside their house. No one was inside, so we settled at the sala.

"What do you mean earlier? Nanliligaw ka pa lang, Andrei. Hindi pa kita boyfriend," isinatinig ko.

Nagpakita ang gatla sa kaniyang noo nang marinig iyon.

"We'll eventually go that way, miss. Don't you want me to meet your parents? Are you somehow ashamed to introduce me?" nanuot ang kaunting pait sa kaniyang boses.

"No. It's not like that, Andrei. I'm just worried for you.. for us."

"What are you worrying for? Kasi para sa akin, wala man tayong opisyal na relasyon, seryoso ako sa anumang mayroon tayo. Seryoso ako sa'yo."

Hinawakan ko ang kaniyang braso at mas lalong nagpaliwanag.

"It's my first time having a special connection like this. Wala man tayong label ngunit mayroon naman tayong malalim na ugnayan. It will shock my parents, Andrei, and I am worried about what they may say about us."

"Don't worry, miss. It will be fine. We will be fine. Mas mabuti rin na maaga nilang malaman na may namamagitan sa atin kaysa sa iba pa nila malaman."

He held my eyes with overbearing assurance. He gave my hand a light squeeze, and I nodded.

When the morning came, it felt like I was skating in a thin layer of ice. I'm with my family as we make our way to Bali National High School.

Humiwalay muna ako sa mga magulang at hinanap ang mga kaibigan. I noticed Lena raising her hand, signaling me that they are there.

"Oh, bakit ganiyan ang mukha mo?" tanong niya pagkaupo ko

"You look ugly, Alexis. Today is our day yet you seemed miserable," Hannah added.

I pursed my lips.

"Darating si Andrei mamaya," I whispered, and their eyes widened.

"Nandito sina Tita at Tito. Ipapakilala mo siya?"

Dolores was able to identify the issue with her question, and we paused for a minute of silence. My friends might have seen the hesitation in my face that I felt Lena squeeze my hand.

"Don't stress yourself, Alexis. Wala ka bang tiwala kay Andrei? He is a good person, and we know Tita and Tito will accept him."

I was about to open my mouth, but a light peck on my right cheek made me stop.

"Hi," a deep baritone voice interrupted us.

"Hello, Andrei!" bati ni Dolores sa lalaki.

Tikom ang aking bibig nang maupo si Andrei sa aking tabi.

"Congratulations pala," baling niya sa aking mga kaibigan.

"Si Alexis, hindi mo babatiin?" nanunukso ang tinig ni Hannah.