Dying Embers

Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten: Willing

ᯓ★ play this while reading: night changes — one direction 𝄞 ⋆ˎˊ-

I stood there, frozen, habang unti-unting lumulubog sa isip ko ang mga sinabi niya. They echoed — like a song you didn't want to admit you memorized, looping endlessly in your head. Pero hindi iyon basta salita lang. My pulse quickened, parang biglang sumikip ang hangin sa loob ng kotse. A flush crept up my cheeks, spreading warmth na tila galing mismo sa loob — hindi sa lamig ng gabi, kundi sa mga salitang ayaw kong paniwalaan pero naramdaman ko.

I looked at him, searching for a hint of humor, kahit konting biro man lang sa mga mata niya. Pero wala. His face remained unreadable — serious. Too serious. Napalunok ako, my chest tightening with something I couldn't name. Confusion? Disbelief? Or something else I'd rather not admit.

I forced a frown, hoping it could hide the storm that was beginning to build inside me. "'Wag ka nga magbiro ng ganyan," I muttered, my voice trembling despite the forced lightness I tried to put into it.

The rain had stopped, but the night had fallen deep — dark and quiet, almost heavy. Only the faint glow of the streetlights slipped through the car windows, painting soft gold lines on his face. The silence between us was deafening, and yet, his words stayed there, hanging, suspended between what's real and what I wished was just my imagination.

"Seryoso ako sa sinabi ko." He smiled, almost teasing, yet his eyes betrayed something sincere. The curve of his lips fought against laughter — like he knew exactly what he was doing to me. I frowned harder, crossing my arms.

"Ang kulit mo," I said before rolling my eyes and opening the car door. I needed air — space — anything that wasn't him.

The night air greeted me, cool against my flushed skin, pero kahit gano'n, hindi pa rin humupa 'yong gulo sa loob ko.

"Nieve!" he called. I didn't turn around at first, but I heard the soft thud of the car door closing behind him.

I exhaled and faced him. "What?"

He chuckled softly as he walked toward me, his steps slow, deliberate. When he finally stood beside me, his presence felt too close — and yet, somehow comforting. "Can I walk you home?"

I hesitated, then nodded. "Okay," I said, trying to sound casual, kahit halatang hindi.

We started walking. The silence between us stretched, only broken by the rhythmic splash of our shoes against the wet pavement. The streets glistened under the faint orange glow of the streetlights — quiet, reflective, like the world itself was eavesdropping. Above us, the sky stretched endlessly, littered with a thousand stars that looked close enough to touch but would always be out of reach.

It felt... like us.

"Paano na 'yong sasakyan mo?" I asked, breaking the silence, my voice barely above a whisper.

He shrugged, hands tucked deep into the pockets of his gray hoodie. His messy hazelnut hair looked unfairly good under the soft glow of the streetlight. "I texted Kuya Gary earlier. Lala's driver. Siya na kukuha ng sasakyan ko later, kasama 'yong guard."

"Ah," I nodded. "So, uuwi ka na rin pagkatapos?"

He grinned. "Hindi. Matutulog ako sa apartment mo."

Napalingon ako agad sa kaniya, my eyes narrowing. "Ha? Kapal mo. Ano ka? Hindi ka welcome doon."

Mas lalo siyang ngumisi, tilting his head playfully. "Sige na. Gawin na rin natin 'yong report. Tsaka bukas, tuturuan kita sa math mo."

I frowned, crossing my arms again. He had a point — and he knew it. Pero still. Hindi ako sanay na may lalaking matutulog sa place ko.