Teardrops in Daylight (Salvaje Caballero Series 3)

Once

Hers

Magkahalong kaba at saya ang namutawi sa aking dibdib nang marinig si Zach na sasamahan ako. Hindi ko alam kung saan nagmula pero ang alam ko lang, masaya ako.

Wearing a navy button down long sleeve with its sleeve pulled up to his forearm, Zach immediately became the center of attraction.

Almost all of the girls looked at him with admiration, and I felt.....irritated...a bit.

Bagay na hindi ko naman madalas na maramdaman.

"Tami, get in my car. We'll go to your province."

Hindi na ko nakaangal nang makalapit si Zach at kinuha niya ang bag na dala ko.

His cocked his eyebrow when I didn't moved a bit. I remained standing and quite fascinated.... I mean, why? Bakit niya ako sasamahan?

I sighed when I realized because I am....his friend. At bakit tunog nanghihinayang ako? This is really stressing me out.

"Bakit mo...ako sasamahan?" tanong ko.

He remained serious and stoic. His eyes became darker than the usual. I saw how his adams apple moved then he looked away.

"I'll answer that when we get there." he whispered huskily and touched my elbow to guide me.

And....I have never been this conscious in his touch. Parang napaso ako nang magdikit ang kamay niyang magaspang sa siko ko.

Bumuntong hininga na lang ako nang makita ko siyang parang walang epekto naman sa kanya at natural ang naging kilos.

"Get in."

"O-Okay."

Walang imik akong pumasok sa sasakyan niya. I saw another black bagpack on his backseat when he placed mine beside it. Don't...tell me, he's going to stay there?!

"I know the way to your province....but obviously not your house."

I gulped and tried to calm myself but my heart is beating so fast! And I don't even know why!

"Uhh....ituturo ko naman."

He clenched his jaw and remained his eyes fixated on the road.

"Sleep. I'll wake you up when we get there." he uttered.

Agad akong umiling at napatingin sa kanya. Nakakahiya naman kung tutulugan ko siya diba? This is the least thing I can do!

"I'm....not sleepy."

I waited for an answer but it never came. Seryoso siyang nagmamaneho at wala akong ibang magawa kundi ang tignan na lang ang gilid ng bintana.

And I don't understand why I'm starting to feel so conscious and nervous when he's around. I just...don't get it at all.

"Are you hungry? Have you eaten dinner?"

"Hindi pa...Pero okay lang, hindi ako gutom."

"Ikaw hindi, ako gutom na gutom." pabalang niyang sambit.

Napapikit ako at kaunting natawa dahil parang bumalik siya sa dati niyang lagay.

Nagdrive thru na lang kami isang fast food at nagorder siya ng makakain.

It's already 10:50 in the evening, so expected that we'll be arriving at 5:00.

I called Sara that I'll be home but...it's just that. Hindi niya pa alam na may kasama ako.

So that's...when I decided to call her again.

"Nasa byahe na ako."

"Sige, nasabi ko na kay Lola. Ingat ka."

"Uh...Sara, kasama ko ang kaibigan ko. Please......uhm just vacate my room. Doon na lang siya."

"What?"

"He's a great friend of mine."

"He?! Lalaki?! Si Zach?!"

"Calm...down. Baka nandiyan na kami ng mga alas singko ng umaga."

I ended the call immediately. Sinilent mode ko din para hindi tumunog dahil sa daming text ni Sara.

"Tami, pasubo nga yang burger."

"H-ha?"

"I'm driving, you see?"

"But-"

"Kung mabangga tayo kasalanan mo."

Halos manigas ako nang marinig si Zach. Sabagay naiintindihan ko naman pero....

Nanginginig ang kamay kong dinampot ang burger at isinubo sa kanya.

Why does it seems like I'm the only one who's affected? He didn't even glanced at me! Normal lang naman siyang nagmamaneho pero ako itong parang mahihimatay na sa kaba!

"H20 please."

"Ha?

"Tubig. Water. Water. Tubig." paulit ulit niyang sambit.

I put straw in the bottled water and let him sipped it.

"Thank you, falaks." he uttered while smirking.

"W-welcome."

And that alone never made me sleep. The fact that I'm with him in a closed space like this awaken every single nerve in my body.

He even turned the stereo and he softly sang along with it. I expected for an ugly voice but it never came.

Instead, the cold and baritone voice of Zach made me stiffened. Agad akong napatingin sa kanya at tinitigan lamang siya.

Oh and I've got all that I need
Right here in the passenger seat

I almost closed my eyes when he hit the chorus, it made my heart skipped a beat. Of all songs......why does it have to be this one? It's just that....I can't help but to put meanings while he's singing!

Oh and I can't keep my eyes on the road
Knowing that she's inches from me

And the lyrics...... Bakit parang baliktad naman? Bakit parang ako ang hindi may kayang tumingin sa daan? He's like a magnet.

And....I can't keep my eyes on the road, knowing that he's inches from me.

I shrugged and just tried to sleep or more like I pretended to be asleep.

Ilang oras pa ay nakarating na din kami sa probinsiya namin. Nandito na kami sa Dinapigue, Isabela bago pa mag alas seis ng umaga.

Halos kita na ang sinag ng araw mula sa kalangitan. Agad kong naramdaman ang pagkaulila nang makita ang pamilyar na bukid at daan. It's been almost two months I think but it felt like I've been away for years!

"Iliko mo diyan." sambit ko.

Bahagya naman kaming naalog dahil hindi pa sementado ang daan papunta sa amin.

Ilang minuto pa ay sumalubong na ang pamilyar na nipa hut at gawa sa kahoy na bahay namin. Nakaramdam ako ng saya nang makitang nakailaw na ang loob nito at nasa bakuran na si lola na nagwawalis.

"Are you that happy?"

I heard Zach uttered. Nang mapatingin ko sa kanya ay nakatingin na siya sa akin. Nagtama ang aming mata, at kasabay iyon ay ang biglang pagkabog ng dibdib ko.

"Sobra." bulong ko.

He smiled......genuinely.

"Ako din." bulong niya.