Oneirataxia: My Fictional Man

CHAPTER 44

Chapter Forty-four

Agad na uminit ang pisngi ko sa kahihiyan at mabilis na tinulak ang mukha ni Zion na ilang pulgada lang ang layo mula sa akin. He was amusedly peeking at me. He's grinning like a Cheshire cat which annoyed me in an instant. For sure, he was staring at me for too long when I dozed off to sleep. Gosh, I probably looked horrible. And why did I even let myself fall asleep in his car?

"Pigilan mo ako, ang sarap magmura," he suddenly uttered. His wide grin faded but I know he was trying to suppress a smile based on how his lips moved sideways along with his eye smile.

I grimaced at him. Do I really look horrible while sleeping to the extent of him wanting to curse out loud? Ang sarap niyang sabunutan. Nakakainis.

Sa inaasta niya ngayon, mas malinaw pa sa sikat ng araw na siya talaga si Zion at hindi si Benjamin katulad na lang ng napanaginipan ko kanina. I dreamt of that because maybe it was what filled my subconscious mind--- slightly hoping that Zion was Benjamin.

But damn, I was just being delusional. They are both far ways different from each other! Plus, it's just so impossible! Paano naman mangyayari 'yun? Nahihibang na rin ako sa kakaisip.

"You know what, you're pretty annoying." Inirapan ko siya at humalukipkip. Deep inside, I was still embarrassed.

"How?" Zion questioned and eyed me intensely, which only sickened me every second.

I am seeing Benjamin right at this moment because of how Zion's eyes pierced through me. His intense gaze just made me really want to avoid him at all costs because I get drowned by the memories of Benjamin. And also, one of the reasons why I wanted to shoo him away was because his simple presence is kind of maddening.

I don't know how to extract words to describe this but to put in simpler words, Zion really seemed like a threat to my intact sanity, as also what I've admitted. I couldn't explain and elaborate, but his presence simply being 'Zion' bothered something in me.

"How what?" I questioned back, confused about what he's referring to.

I didn't want to assume but I was sure as hell that his gaze went down and glued on my lips. It lasted for seconds before he looked up, staring back again into my eyes.

"How can you look so damn beautiful while sleeping?" he whispered, enough for me to clearly grasped it.

Tila naumid ang dila ko sa gulat at mangha. I literally lost for words.

I expected the other way around! I thought he wanted to curse just because he finds me ugly or what.

"Ang hirap kimkimin, tangina," mahinang bulalas niya at pagkatapos ay minaneho na ulit ang sasakyan habang ako ay nanatili parang tahimik sa tabi niya.

It took me a few seconds before I realized my reaction. I could feel my cheeks blushing and my tummy tickling!

Kinikilig ba ko? What a shame! No way! No!

I tried to divert my attention to other things but I only ended up recalling what he said. I admit it was simple, a bit of overused line, and to be honest, it's cringy... but he made it sound so impactful in my ears.

Wait, what did I just think? Oh gosh! Ito na nga bang sinasabi ko. He's not good for my sanity! I glanced at him for a second and damn, he was smirking like an idiot while driving!

Makalipas ang ilang minuto ay saka ko pa lang napokus ang atensiyon sa paligid. Ilang oras na ba ang lumipas? Hindi naman siguro ako natulog nang matagal.