I Would Hate To Be You

Chapter 35 [senpai jino]

Chapter 35

Jin is looking at me while . . . I still have this shocked face. My lips are slightly parted and my eyes are wide opened. Hindi ko alam kung paano ipa-process ang mga 'yun. When I tried to open my mouth, what came out was, "Uh . . . happy birthday?" Nakangiwi pa ako nang sabihin ko 'yun sa kaniya. Bahagyang umangat ang mga balikat ko.

Napapikit si Jin sa sinabi ko at tumingala siya habang tumatawa nang mahina. His shoulders are shaking while he's laughing.

Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan ko at hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko sa reaksyon niya na 'yun. Out of anxiety, I nibbled my index finger and bit my lower lip.

When Jin finally looked at me again, he smiled and shook his head. "Dalawa 'yung huli kong sinabi sa'yo, pero sa birthday ka lang may reaction," he said, chuckling. "I guess that says something." His voice sounded . . . sad.

Bahagya akong napanguso. "Yeah, it does," I acknowledged. "That I'm appalled and embarrassed because I didn't know it's your birthday today. I mean, what kind of friend am I? Seriously, what's wrong with me? Bakit hindi ko 'to alam? We've been friends for almost a year now!" naiinis na sagot ko. It dawned on me that I never actually asked him or Elysse about his birthday.

Really, Atom? After all the stuff you've talked about, it never really occurred to you to inquire of that? Shame on you, Andrei Bartholomew. Shame.

But he just smiled and said, "Come on, Andrei. That's not it." His voice was gentle but teasing. Kumunot ang noo ko dahil do'n. Hindi ko maintindihan. "I just told you I like you," he reminded.

All of a sudden, it feltlike someone's pouring a bucket of iced cold water on my head. Bigla akongnatauhan. "Oh . . . that," I trailed off. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin kosa kaniya. Binaling ko ang atensyon ko sa mga buildings na makukulay. When Iwas able to breathe properly, I turned to him again. "You meant you likeme—"

He cut me off. "More than just a friend," he said, finishing my sentence.

Dang it. I was just about to say as a friend. Pero agad na siyang sumagot at tinama ang nasa isip ko. Does he read minds or something? May lahi bang manghuhula ang Jino Abella?

"Uh . . ." Napabuntong hininga ako. "Can we sit down?" parang ewan na tanong ko sa kaniya. Pakiramdam ko kasi nanghihina ang mga tuhod ko sa narinig ko. Baka himatayin ulit ako kagaya last week. Jusko po.

"Sure," nakangiting sagot niya.

Naglakad kami malapit sa inakyatan namin kanina. May accent pool sa gilid ng rooftop, at sa gilid ng mga 'yun ay may mga naka-set up na upuan.

I heaved out a heavy sigh when we sat down. My hands have become a little sweaty so I kept on wiping them off my pants. I feel so anxious. Mahabaging langit naman. Never did it occur to me that someone will confess to me tonight.

Jin slouched a little and put his elbows on his knees while his hands are clasped. "Did I scare you?" mahinahong tanong niya habang nakatingin sa'kin.

Marahan akong umiling. "Hindi naman. I guess nagulat lang ako?" I immediately regretted the way I said that. Bakit patanong pa rin ang tono ng boses ko? Hay. Wala na akong magawa para bawiin 'yun. "I mean . . . I wasn't expecting that. And even in a parallel universe, I never would've have imagined you liking me."

He pursed his lips and shook his head. "Oh, Andrei. Had it been in a different world, with different time and space, if I met you there, I swear I still would have liked you," he replied confidently.

I can feel my face blushing. But I had to bite my lips to stop myself from smiling like an idiot. When did he become so romantic? My goodness this person!