Dying Embers

Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten: Willing

I stood there, frozen, as his words sank in. They echoed in my mind, lingering as if they were the most casual thing in the world. But they weren't. My pulse quickened, and a flush crept up my cheeks, spreading warmth across my face. I stared at him, searching for a hint of humor or even hesitation, but found none. His expression remained unreadable, serious — too serious. My chest tightened, a mix of confusion and disbelief swirling inside me. I forced a frown, hoping it would shield the growing storm of feelings within.

"'Wag ka nga magbiro ng ganiyan," I said, my voice shaky as I tried to force a lightheartedness into the tense air that filled the car. The rain had finally stopped, but the night had fallen deep, wrapping everything in darkness. Only the faint glow of the streetlights outside broke through, casting soft shadows around us, leaving us in a cocoon of silence, with his words still lingering between us like an unsaid truth.

"I'm serious about what I said." He smiled, copying my tone while pouting, his expression playful yet sincere. I frowned even harder, noticing the way he was trying to suppress his laughter, the corners of his mouth twitching. Irritated, I rolled my eyes and stepped out of the car, needing a breath of fresh air, away from the intensity of his words.

The night air was cool against my heated skin, but it did little to calm the storm swirling inside me.

"Nieve!" he called. I didn't turn around, but I heard the car door close behind him.

I turned to face him. "What?"

He chuckled, walking up to me and standing by my side. "Can I walk you home?"

"Okay," I replied, trying to sound casual.

The silence between us stretched as we walked, the only sound coming from the soft splash of our shoes against the wet pavement. The streets were eerily empty, left slick and glistening from the rain that had poured down just hours earlier. Now, the sky was a blanket of infinite stars, twinkling like distant beacons against the vast, dark canvas above. Each one felt impossibly close yet untouchable, much like the moment between us.

Streetlights flickered on either side of the road, casting soft halos of light that illuminated our path, but somehow made everything feel even quieter, like the world had paused just for us. JV's apartment wasn't far—maybe a thirty-minute walk at most—but in the stillness, it felt like time itself had slowed down, stretching the moments between each footstep, each breath, each thought.

"Paano na 'yong sasakyan mo?" Binasag ko ang katahimikan dahil sa tanong ko.

He shrugged, his hands shoved into the pockets of his gray hoodie as we walked. His messy hazelnut hair still looked effortlessly good.

"I texted Kuya Gary earlier — my grandma's driver. Siya na ang kukuha sa sasakyan ko mamaya kasama 'yong guard sa bahay."

"Okay, so you're heading home after that?"

"Hindi. Matutulog ako sa apartment mo." Ngisi niya na ikinakunot ng aking noo at napabaling kaagad sa kaniya ang tingin ko.

"Ano ka? Hindi ka welcome don."

Tumingin rin siya sa akin at mas lalong lumapad ang kaniyang ngisi.

"Sige na. Gawin na rin kaagad natin 'yong report tsaka bukas tuturuan kita sa math mo."

He had a point, but it still felt uncomfortable! I wasn't used to having a guy stay over at my place!

"Hindi pa rin pwede."