Gone Into the Deep (Hortellano Series#2)

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Jealous

His smirk never faded as he looked at me who's dumbfounded by his mere presence.

He started eating and I completely forgot my hunger I've been dealing earlier and my mother whose still talking to the other line. I rudely ended the call when I can't bear it anymore. Lalo na't narinig kong tinatanong niya kung sino ang kausap ko.

Nilapag ko ang hawak na cellphone. I saw how he looked at what I did but never said anything. Instead, he's sporting his playful aura.

Ilang saglit akong hindi nakabawi dahil nasa harap ko siya. I never expected that there's a possibility that we will meet here again.

I cleared my throat when I can't contain these waves of questions slowly emerging in my mind.

"Are you following me?"

He scoffed. I saw how he's fighting this urge not to laugh loudly. Mabilis niyang inabot ang baso ng tubig na dala ko at sinaid ang laman nang muntik na siyang mabilaukan.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa pangahas niyang ginawa at hindi rin kaagad makabawi sa sumunod niyang reaksyon. He's really something. This brute.

"You never fails to surprise me with your unpredictable spewing of magical words. Tell me, where did you got that idea?" aniya nang matapos sa overreacting na pagtawa. He leaned closer while talking, like he really wanted me to hear every words he uttered.

Akala ko, pagkatapos ng sinabi niya ay aayos na siya sa pag-upo at ipagpapatuloy ang naudlot na pagkain dahil sa nakakatuwang tanong ko. Sa kakahintay na lumayo na siya, ako na mismo ang umusog papalayo dahil mukhang wala siyang balak gawin sa mga naunang naiisip ko.

Nakita niya ang ginawa ko kaya lumapad ang ngiti niya. He chuckled and closed his eyes, like he's really enjoying it when I'm uncomfortable or out of words to say.

"L-lumayo ka nga!"

Hindi ko na mapigilan ang sarili. Napalakas ang sigaw ko kaya nagsilingunan ang mga tao sa aming direksyon. I gritted my teeth and controlled my fuming anger.

Dahil sa pagkapahiya, napapikit ako at huminga nang malalim. I felt him moved. Hindi ko siya pinansin at nanatiling nakapikit. Umalis na kaya siya? Baka naman. Sinabihan kong lumayo. Malamang umalis na nga.

I got curious when I couldn't feel his presence anymore, so I opened my eyes. Kaya lang, mas lalong lumaki ang mga mata ko nang mapansing lumipat lang pala siya ng upuan at tumabi sa 'kin.

My cheeks flushed while looking at him. His right hand rested on my back, at the top of my chair while he's still eating the appetizing meal.

Natulala ako sa kanya ng ilang saglit. Napansin niya 'yon. "Stop whining. Let me eat first,"

Wala ako sa sariling napatango at nagsimula nang kumain ng paunti-unti.

"Good. Let me enjoy this peacefulness."

Hindi ko siya sinagot, pero sa isipan ko, paanong at peace? It's too crowded here. Crowd means noise.

But since he said it— I'll obey, I'll agree. Besides, being at peace is not about where you are—either in the middle of nowhere, at the battleground, alone or anywhere you may.

Minsan, nahahanap mo ito sa mga taong malapit at mahalaga sa 'yo. Those people who's capable of giving you that peace of mind and comfort.

I guess I already found mine.

We continued eating and enjoying the peacefulness brought by the presence of each other. When we finished, he stood up and left me.

I blinked many times and was about to feel emotional again. Ramdam ko na ang pamumuo ng luha sa magkabilang dulo ng mga mata nang biglang may naglapag ng bottled water sa aking harap.