Run Away With Me

Chapter 6: Absurdity

Derrick's POV

"It's Stella." While carrying my baggage and hers. It seemed the right thing to do given I'm her boyfriend.
Napatingin ako kay Gemini na halatang gulat. "Weh? Congrats!" Masayang salita niya samin as the both of us grin back. Although.. mine was in a painful manner, guilt seeped in me that I can't help but feel bad about it.

Plus, having Gemini cheer on our relationship makes it worse.. Why did I even let my emotions take over me? No, it's that 'when will I ever control this emotions I have within?'

"Kamusta naman Stella? Hindi naman masyadong tahimik si Erick noh?" Kulit ni Gemini kay Stella as I leave him to it. There's no harm done with him asking questions about our relationship.. at least to Stella.

"Hm? Hindi naman tahimik si Derrick eh." Masayang sagot ni Stella kay Gemini. "Luh, ang tahimik kaya niyan, wag mo sabihin nagbago nung dumating ka?" Asar ni Gemini, instantly hitting me in the chest.. and so, absentmindedly, I found myself..

F-ck. "Sayo lang ako tahimik." Nadulas na salita ko. Ah. Why did I say that? Due to immediate regret of my statement, for a moment, the only expression that mattered to me was Gemini's. He stayed silent for a full second before, "Hahaha grabe naman, sige mauna na ako." He went back to his jolly self and walked away.

I gulped, watching Gemini's figure get smaller and smaller.. I'm such a fool.

"What's with you?" Tanong sakin ni Stella, looking at me. Oh.. of course she noticed. "Wala, napagtripan ko lang talaga si Jemi. Ang daldal kase haha." I invented all by myself as she responded with an "ahhh."

Sabay kaming naglakad papunta sa site ng camp namin as we laid our baggages on the fabric on the ground.
"Eto pala yung tents, individual." Lapit samin ni Gemini, giving us parts of it with a manual. The moment I grabbed onto mine, his hands quickly let go of the parts, as if.. avoiding contact with me. "Happy making." Ngisi niya before he went to his tent that's already been constructed.. Sh-t. I done f-cked up. Evidently, Gemini's hiding the trouble he's in.. I really shouldn't have said those words.

He's always been transparent.. for me.

"Derrick, sabay natin gawin yung sakin tiyaka sayo." Aya ni Stella, waking me up from my trail of thoughts, while she failed at building hers. "Gusto mo lang ng tulong eh." Asar ko sa kaniya as she rolled her eyes. "Bilis naaa hehe." Ngiti niya.

..I should at least apologize to him.

"Sure." Sagot ko kaya sabay naming ginawa yung mga tent namin. After about half an hour, natapos na rin kami. Damn that manual, turned out useless in the end.

Kaya umupo na lang muna kami sa lapag, to take a rest after the almost of a wreck we were in. "Derrick.." tawag sakin ni Stella kaya napalingon ako sa kaniya. "Bakit?"

"I like you." Seryosong salita niya as I grinned at her. Well, that's random. "I know." Sagot ko and that's when her face went blank.

"I know you know, sinabi ko yun sayo kahapon." Sagot niya as I looked at her, unaware of what I'd lack of. Huh? Her tone sounded demanding causing me to gulp. My mind aware of the possibility she knew that I like Gemini.. Did she really catch on that fast?

"Then.. what is it?" Tanong ko sa kaniya, nervous as hell when her blank face began to frown. "..Hay.. I shouldn't have been complacent when you accepted my confession instantly."

Napahinga siya nang malalim before looking at me again. "I should've asked for confirmation so Derrick, do you like me?" Tanong niya sakin, taking me aback.. my eyes widened, I couldn't answer.