Barcelona Escapade

Chapter Thirteen: Text

Chapter Thirteen
Text

Kaagad akong umayos ng tayo.

"I'm not drunk," depensa ko rin.

To prove it, I even removed his grip and walked ahead but facing him. He smirked and sighed.

"Let's see if you can march back in the car without stumbling," hamon niya.

Just when I was about to accept his challenge, I really did stumble over. His reflexes were just enough to support me. Kanina ay nasa harap ko lang siya hanggang sa biglang nasa tabi ko na agad at hawak-hawak ang braso ko.

"Don't be silly," he said annoyingly.

Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay napahiya kaagad ako sa harapan niya. Binitawan niya ako kaagad at naglakad papunta sa parking. He didn't keep his focus off me though, as if he's worried I might mess up again.

I can't believe he's been waiting for me here while I indulged myself so bad with Darby in the others. Kung alam ko lang, edi sana kanina pa ako nakapagpaalam.

"How's my performance?" tanong ko nang makasakay kaming dalawa. My drunk ass pointed at him. "You didn't wish me good luck earlier. You didn't congratulate me even after my performance!"

'Pagkatapos ng recital at makabalik ako sa backstage, hindi ko na sila nakita pa. I tried to ask Mamá but she only told me to talk to the guests in the party.

Eros shrugged coldly and held onto the steering wheel. "You're occupied."

"And?" taas-kilay kong tanong. "You have all your time to pull me away."

Ni hindi man lang nagpakita sa after-party. I supposed Abuelo could have invited him but I didn't see him after. Akala ko tuloy, si Papá ang maghahatid sa'kin pauwi.

Gulat niya akong tiningnan. It didn't last though. He was quick to change his pace into a calm one.

"Like I have the right to, señorita..."

"Why not?" He looked at me unbelievably yet again. Hindi ko kinalas ang tingin. "I was looking forward to it, Eros."

Napansin ko ang paglunok niya. It was as if I caught him off guard.

"You're really drunk," mabilis niyang balik at nagtangkang magsimula sa pagda-drive.

To my panic, hinawakan ko ang braso niya at inalis sa steering wheel. Umawang ang labi niya sa ginawa ko pero hindi niya inalis ang kamay ko roon. Thus, he looked at me with pure questioning eyes and raising brows.

"I'm not occupied now."

"Liquor got you—"

"I'm sober and not occupied," I clarified.

But it was clear that in any minute now, my mind would sing and whirl around. Eros' jaw clenched at me as he opted to look away. Did I embarass him? Did I make him uncomfortable?

Binalikan niya ako ng seryosong tingin. Parang ang ginawa niyang pag-iwas kanina ay para kalmahin ang sarili.

"What do you want to hear?"

"Your compliments," I demanded. "Give me a reward too. I did well today, didn't I?"

I sounded like a kid but it didn't matter to me when Eros looked at me straightly. Inalis niya ang kamay ko sa braso niya. His hand then tapped my head, sending me trembling out of a sudden.

"You did, señorita."

I smiled widely.

"Is that the only compliment you can think of?"