Stare For Awhile (Rare Heart Series#1)

Chapter 4

Idreo insisted to drive me home. inantay niya ang one and a half hour class ko. nag-drawing lang siya sa nag daang oras na 'yon sa hallway. Pinakita niya ang drawing niya and It was me, taking notes inside our classroom. i was fluttered and thankful for his skillful drawing. i don't know what he can't do, halos lahat na ata ay talent niya.

"Thanks." I'm speechless tho.

When we're in our way home, Ilang calls din ang ginawa ko sa parents ko to make sure they were alright. wala ni-isang sagot and that made me nervous again. i don't want to repeat what happened before.

"Baka busy lang? may inaayos?" Pampalubag loob na sabi ni Idreo.

Pinatay ko ang cellphone ko at hindi pa din mapakali. sumandal ako sa backrest at ginala na lang ang mga mata sa mga tanawin sa labas ng bintana.

Bahagyang bumagal ang pagmamaneho ni Idreo.

"Look at that house. it looks like the Taj Mahal."

I don't know what he's saying. I look at the house. parang mosque iyon; may apat na tower sa bawat corners at parang onion ang shape ng roof.

"Did you know that Taj Mahal was built because of Love?"

"Kasi there's word Mahal?" i answered sarcasm and emphasized the word Mahal. assuming it'll be a joke.

Idreo chuckled and shook his head. deretso ang tingin nito sa kalsada.

"Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal who died while bearing their child. Shah Jahan did not recovered from his loss so he built and designed a tomb for his wife."

Tumango-tango ako. I don't know that, though I'm not architecture student so why would i know?

"Wala naman pinagkaiba si Shah Jahan sa mga taong nagpapatayo ng Mausoleum para sa mga mahal nila sa buhay na namatay?" i shrugged. "Like the Temple of Leah in cebu. 'di ba?"

"I was just telling the history behind the famous structure—Taj Mahal," He said. hindi na wala ang mahinang tawa.

"...and also, i just want to say that the building itself is attractive; nevertheless when you know its history, story or concept...it became even more special."

Nilingon niya ako at tinignan. His eyes examined my whole face but it did not take long because he's driving. may makabuluhang ngiti sa kaniyang labi.

"So as people. We have different stories and that makes us special."

"Isn't bad to be special?" sabi ko at wala sa sarili. kusang lumabas ang mga salita sa bibig ko.

"No one is bad about being special."

Is that good to hear? i don't know what to say or to react.

"Dito na lang," sabi ko nang tumapat na kami sa gate namin.

I unlocked my belt at mabilis itong tinanggal. i looked at Idreo.

"Do you want to come in?"

"Can i?" he asked. a bit shocked.

I nodded. "Of course."

Hindi ko alam kung sinong katulong ang nagbukas sa amin ng gate. may sinasabi siya bago ako pumasok but i can't hear it dahil mas malakas pa ang tibok ng puso ko.

Mabigat ang kamay kong pinihit ang Doorknob namin. Bago ko tuluyang buksan ito ay nilingon ko si Idreo. Nakatitig lang ito sa akin habang pinapanood ang kilos ko.

Suminghap ako. "C-come in."

Pagbukas ko ng pintuan, sumalubong sa akin ang Dalawang Hindi katandaang Babae at Lalaki. They are my parents, right?