Barcelona Escapade

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Unsure

Chapter Twenty-Seven
Unsure

"Is that so?"

Umatras si Kuya Miguel pero naroon pa rin ang pagtaas ng kilay niya. I walked towards the door while my hand behind me pressed the 'off' button of my phone to automatically end the call with Eros.

Napakagat ako ng pang-ibabang labi. The whole act sounded like I was denying Eros but there's nothing I can do but to put him away from my family.

"We're going home tonight," sabi ni Jayren sa kapatid ko. "I was about to tell Architect Castellón that. I have someone to meet late this night."

"That's right," pagpatong ko.

Tumango si Kuya Miguel bago lumingon sa'kin. My breathing hitched but I tried hard to remain calm. I wish he won't ask how we are calling each other on phone even when we're meters away. I only wish he thinks we're too crazily in love that the little distance we have... sent us missing and wanting to talk to each other.

"You should tell her before you go," aniya. "Baka hanapin kayo kapag umalis kaagad."

"We will. We were just talking it out first," Jayren assured but he was staring at me.

Kuya seemed convinced. Napahinga ako ng maluwag.

After eating dinner, nagsabi kaagad siya sa Mamá. I didn't force him to leave that immediate kaya inimbitahan ko siya sa garden para magpahinga muna bago umalis. Pinasadya ko lang kay Nana na dalhan siya ng tsaa samantalang gatas naman ang sa'kin.

I tried to peek at him in the front. I would lie if I said I'm not thankful he was there. Pero nagtataka rin ako kung paano siya naka-akyat sa kwarto ko.

At kung bakit niya ako tinulungan.

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa biglang realisasyon.

What now? It wasn't him, Clementine! Paano kung curious siya sa kung sino 'yon? In any seconds now, he will for sure ask me who am I really talking to-

"You won't ask me why I did that? You're staring so hard at me," bigla niyang salita.

I blinked inoccently. "Huh?"

Jayeen hissed softly and sipped from the tea. He crossed his leg. Humalukipkip din ang mga braso niya. He looked elegant in his gray long sleeves and black trousers. On his feet is a pair of shiny black shoes.

Napailing ako sa pagka-utal. "Would you tell me why you did that if I asked? Alam mong hindi ikaw 'yon. Would you also ask me who that is?"

He looked back to my eyes again. Napasandal ako sa upuan habang hinihintay siya.

I won't tell him it's Eros if he asked. Pero marami naman akong kaibigang pwedeng gamitin. Ang kailangan ko lang gawin ay maging kaswal sa pagsasabi kung sino 'yon. Kunwari.

"Hindi ko alam." Napako ang buong atensyon ko sa kaniya. Nagkibit-balikat ka siya nang may kaonting ngiti na nakasilay sa labi. "Maybe, I want to save you from distress. Or maybe I just want to."

"Kung hindi mo 'yon ginawa, my Kuya would sure bombard me though," I told him, pinipilit pagaanin ang tensyon. "Kuya Miguel, he always seems to find the bad. Baka isipin niya nga, may tinatago ako."

In which I do. But I would feel more suspicious if I won't bring that up kaya kaswal kong binanggit.

"You owe me one then?" biro niya.

"Name your prize," I said, rolling my eyes. "Cash only, please?"

He stared at me amusingly. "Can't offer anything else?"