Before Reality Knocks (DLC Series #1)

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

"Nababaliw ka na."

"I'm serious, Blair."

"Seryoso din ako," I said. "Gets kita, Scarlet. Masaya ka kasi niligtas ko iyong pinsan mo pero it doesn't mean that you have to extend your feelings to me. Hindi natin kailangan maging magkaibigan."

"But―"

"Sorry, but I'll have to decline," I said, shrugging. Nagsimula na ulit akong tumakbo at iniwan na siya doon.

Nakita ko na iyong nakalahad na kamay ni Faustian kaya nang makalapit na ako, agad kong tinapik iyong kamay niya. Kaya lang, hindi niya binitawan iyong kamay ko. Sinubukan kong bawiin iyong kamay ko ngunit mahigpit ang kapit niya doon.

"Faustian, ano ba?" kunot-noo kong sambit dito. "Matatalo na tayo!"

"The moment you stopped running is the moment we lost," he said. His face was serious. Napatingin ako sa ibang mga kalaban at napansing malayo na iyong distansya nila mula sa'min. Tama si Faustian. "Ano'ng pinag-usapan niyo ni Scarlet?"

I returned my attention to Faustian before arching an eyebrow. "Ano naman sa'yo? Chismoso ka na pala, Mr. President?"

"Scarlet started acting odd ever since you came," he said, ignoring my statement. "Did something happen?"

I wrinkled my nose. "Bakit hindi siya iyong tanungin mo tungkol doon?"

"I'm asking you now."

Nagtitigan lang kaming dalawa, walang gustong magpatalo.

I cocked my head sidewards. Bumaba iyong tingin ko sa kamay naming magkalapat bago ko binalik iyong tingin ko sa kanya.

"What's this, Mr. President?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I just find it strange―"

"Not that," I cut him off. "Ang ibig kong sabihin ay ito." I continued, raising our clasped hands. "Do you actually think that I don't notice the way you're acting towards me?"

Hindi nagbago iyong ekspresyon niya. Seryoso parin siyang nakatingin sa 'kin.

"Do you like me?" Diretso kong tanong sa kanya.

It was only meant to be a joke. I only wanted to tease him dahil alam kong hindi siya iyong tipong tao na mahilig sa ganitong mga confrontation. That's why I was surprised when I heard his answer.

"What if I say yes?" 

I swear my jaw almost dropped. Buti nalang at napigilan ko ang sarili ko. Nagulat lang ako kasi hindi naman ganito si Faustian. Nakakapagtaka lang. 

Since when did he get so forward? Kasi parang dati lang, hiyang-hiya pa siya sa'kin.

I cleared my throat and shrugged; forcing myself to act nonchalant. "Thank you, then?"

He didn't answer. His eyes were searching my face for something―perhaps an emotion―but I remained impassive. His eyes shifted to mine, holding my gaze. Nanatili lang kaming nakatitig sa isa't-isa like we were in some sort of staring contest. My head was tilted upward to his face whilst his was angled a bit forward. If our faces were only nearer, it would appear to others that we were kissing.

Muling pumasok sa isip ko iyong play namin noong nakaraan. Parang ganito rin iyong hitsura nung hinalikan ko siya.

For some reason, I started to feel uncomfortable. Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba sa mga titig niya o dahil sa ibang rason.