Before I Choose (DLC Series #2)

Chapter 22

AN: Second update. Make sure to read chap 21 before this.

Chapter 22

My body stiffened at the sound of the familiar voice.

Napalingon ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses at napasinghap nang mapagtantong si DLC nga iyon. Nakaramdam naman ako ng kaba nang mapansin ko ang madilim niyang ekspresyon.

"D-DLC.."

"Sandro?" wika nung lalaking nakabangga sa 'kin. "Uy bro, ikaw nga 'yan! Long time no see!" Natutuwa niyang dagdag.

Magkakilala sila?

DLC briefly glanced at him before nodding. Agad niyang binalik ang atensyon sa 'kin.

Ang sungit naman nito sa kaibigan niya.. assuming they're friends since they both know each other.

Napatingin sa 'kin iyong lalaki. "Teka, magkakilala din kayo?"

"Yes," agad na sagot ni DLC bago tumabi sa 'kin. My breath got caught in my throat when I felt his arm brush mine.

He was too close.

Humakbang ako ng kaunti palayo pero sumunod naman siya. I was about to take another step when his arm snaked around my waist, pulling me into him with an unyielding strength.

I gasped in surprise.

The man's eyes dropped to DLC's arm that was wrapped around my waist in a protective manner. My eyes widened in shock when the hand gripping my waist moved to my stomach, moving my body in front of him. DLC firmly pressed my back against his chest.

I caught a whiff of his manly scent with the presence of alcohol.

Oh my God...

The man flashed a smile before looking at DLC. "Kayo, bro?"

Wala akong narinig na sagot mula kay DLC pero nakita ko ang paglaki ng ngisi sa mukha ng lalaking kaharap ko.

He chuckled. "I don't have any plans of stealing your girl, bro. Don't worry. Natamaan ko kasi siya accidentally tapos nahulog iyong phone niya. I was just asking if she wanted help fixing her phone, should there be any to fix."

"Her phone's fine," DLC's gruff voice said.

The man, unfazed by DLC's hostility, smiled. "Okay, sige. Mauuna na ako." He flashed me a smile before leaving. I heard DLC click his tongue in annoyance.

"DLC..."

"What?" Masungit nitong tanong.

"Uhm.. hawak mo parin ako. Can you let go?" Mahina kong wika.

Hindi siya sumagot. Maya-maya, he slowly let go of my waist. Humarap ako sa kanya at nakitang magkasalubong ang kilay niya. Namumula rin iyong pisngi at leeg niya. Hindi ko alam kung dahil sa galit o dahil sa alak. Nung umalis kasi ako kanina, sobrang dami niya na talagang nainom..

"Ano.. ayos ka lang?" I asked, testing the waters.

"Does it look like it?" Suplado niyang tanong.

Ang sungit..

"May nagawa ba ako?" I asked.

He glared at me.

"So meron nga..." mahina kong bulong.

"Why were you talking to him?" he spat, his voice laced with irritation.

I frowned. "Hindi ka ba nakikinig sa sinasabi niya? Natamaan niya nga ako tapos nahulog iyong phone ko."