Speaking Heartbeats

Heartbeat 29

Heartbeat 29

Hindi ko inalis ang mga mata sa kasamang abala sa pagmamaneho. His face is illuminated by the lights from the outside, and I can't stop myself but stare at him in awe.

"What?" natatawang tanong niya nang balingan niya ako ng tingin.

"What?" I asked back with my eyes still glued to him.

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

He turned his eyes to me before returning it back to the road.

Napanguso ako. "It just feels so surreal," I softly spoke. Andrei pursed his lips, trying to stifle a smile.

Ilang oras din ang inilagi namin sa Hannah's dahil matapos ang dinner ay nag-usap pa kami sa garden. We talked about our unsettled issues, and I apologized for hurting him intentionally. I told him how much I had missed him and how much I love him.

Bago umalis ng Hannah's ay hindi ko na nakausap ang mga kaibigan. Umalis na daw sila sabi ng mga staff. Tinakbuhan yata ako dahil alam na may atraso.

"Saan ka nga pala lumipat nang umalis ka sa BNHS?" muli kong pagtatanong.

"Sa Linavio," tipid na sagot niya.

"Bakit walang sinabi sa akin si Nely?"

"I told her not to," he responded with his sly smile. Hinampas ko siya sa kaniyang braso kaya naman tarantang bumaling siya sa akin.

"Stop it, miss. Baka maaksidente tayo."

Mas lalong tumulis ang aking pagkakanguso. "Why do you have to leave me like that?"

He chuckled. "Secret," he teased kaya naman muli ko siyang hinampas.

"Ow! Oo na, sasabihin ko na," natatawa pa ring pahayag niya. "I just wanted you to miss me...so much," he proudly spoke with his wide grin.

Umirap ako at humalukipkip. "Oo na. Na-miss kita ng sobra-sobra," pag-amin ko.

Natahimik ang aking katabi kaya kuno't noong binalingan ko ito. Namumula ang kaniyang mga pisngi hanggang sa kaniyang tenga.

"Oy, kinikilig!"

Sa aking pang-aasar ay mas lalong namula ang lalaki.

"I-I'm not," Andrei stuttered kaya't mas lalong lumakas ang aking halakhak.

"I did not know na ganiyan pala kiligin ang isang Andrei Teseryo."

He was silent, and I smiled at him cutely.

Nang iparada ni Andrei ang sasakyan malapit sa bahay namin ay binalot kami ng nakabibinging katahimikan.

Placing my left hand on his thigh, I know now is the moment to ask him about what has been invading my thoughts throughout the ride.

"Andrei, will you be my boyfriend?"

I know I had caught him off-guard because I saw how his lips parted in surprise. Kalaunan ay umangat ang sulok ng kaniyang labi, "Hindi ba dapat ligawan mo muna ako?"

Isang nguso ang aking isinagot. He chuckled and held my hand. "Kidding aside though, we don't have to rush. Kung gusto mong ligawan pa rin kita, gagawin ko, Alexis."

I shook my head and squeezed his hand. "Gusto ko ng label, Andrei. I want a relationship with you."

He smiled and kissed me lightly on the lips. "Okay, miss."

Ilang minuto kaming nagtitigan bago ako nagpaalam. Nakakatatlong hakbang pa lamang ako nang marinig ang pagkalabog ng pintuan ng kaniyang sasakyan. Tumigil ako at hinarap ang binata.