Beneath the Dancing Lights (Constello Series #1)

14

"I like you, Hartley."

Beat.

Beat.

Beat.

Silence.

"I.. I don't know what to s-say.." I bowed down my head as I bit my lower lip. Cold breeze suddenly touched our skin that affected the scenario even more awkward.

I know to myself that I can't accept it. I can't accept his feelings because I will never let it be mutual. I can't accept his courtship because from the very start, I have no plan upon dating someone. But I can't also accept the fact that... I can't turn down someone... because I know how it feels to be denied and rejected.

A sudden battle of thoughts invaded my mind. Some part of my mind keep saying that I shall give him a chance and give it a try, and some part of it says that I should just turn him down right now so his feelings will fade immediately. I know to myself that if I ever give him a chance, I will not give back the feeling he has for me... unless he might do something that can change my mind. Or should I just reject him now, so it will just hurt once— no feelings that will bloom even more before a heart will be shattered one day.

His captivating eyes caught mine and we started staring at each other— waiting someone to utter a word between us. It felt like his eyes were taking my breath away, so I turned my gaze away from his stare and ran for my breath. I felt suffocated because of a sudden confession.

I just wickedly laughed the awkwardness away and hit his arm as if he was cracking a joke.

"Grabe, nakakatakot namang joke 'yon!" Tatawa-tawang ani ko at tinapik ang balikat niya. "Alam mo, kung magbibiro ka sa akin, magpractice ka muna, okay? Kasi ang corny mo!"

"Seryoso ako," he said with a straight face. Napatigil tuloy ako sa pagtawa at napapikit na lang nang mariin.

"Punta na lang tayo roon sa boomerang! Baka sakaling maalog-alog naman iyang katawan mo kasi hindi na talaga nakakatawa iyang joke mo," iritang saad ko bago ko siya bigyan ng masamang tingin.

Boomerang 'yong tawag sa roller coaster ng amusement park na 'to. Sobrang taas din niya, parang space shuttle lang sa Enchanted Kingdom. Nang hindi na 'to makapagsalita ay hinablot ko na lang ang braso niya papunta sa ride na 'yon.

Dahil nga parang nirentahan ni Kian 'tong buong amusement park for this day, nakapasok agad kami sa loob ng ride at inalalayan na rin kami ng mga staff parang isuot 'yong seatbelt at handle for safety.

Napalingon ako kay Kian at nakitang malayo lang ang tingin nito at walang kibo.  Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako ay napahiyaw nang magsimula nang umandar ang sinasakyan namin.

"Kian, pataas na!" Tatawa-tawang saad ko at itinaas ang mga kamay ko para pakiramdaman ang hangin. Agad naman niya itong binaba.

"Baka mahulog ka," anang nito. Nang mabaling ang tingin ko sa itsura niya, I laughed my lungs out!

"Tae! Hindi ka na sana sumama kung takot ka! Tingnan mo tuloy iyang itsura mo, para kang may sakit, namumutla ka!" Tatawa-tawang saad ko. Ewan ko kung maaawa o matatawa ako sa kaniya pero talagang natatawa ako.

"Shut up, I think I'm gonn— A VOMIT!"

"HOOOOOOOOOO!" Hiyaw ko nang biglaang bumaba ang sinasakyan namin at nagsimula nang mas bumilis ang pag-andar nito.

"Hartley, ibaba mo ako rito! Putangina masusuka ako!" Sigaw nito habang mahigpit ang kapit sa harang at nakapikit. "Putangina 'di ko na kaya, mamamatay na ako!"