Shadows in the Rain | FILIPINO | Completed

- Chapter 4 -

The interior of his apartment exuded a masculine vibe. Ang wallpaper ay dark and simple. Very minimalist and modern ang mga furniture and decors. Okay na sana kung hindi lang nagmukhang mini classroom slash library slash office.

There were medical books all over. May whiteboard pa sa tabi ng isang desk in one corner; obviously, doon ang kanyang study area. May isa pang desk hindi kalayuan sa corner na iyon at doon naman nakapuwesto ang kanyang desktop computer at printer.

Agad tinungo ni Cliff ang kitchen counter to immediately make some coffee. The visible kitchen was separated from the living room by a half wall. May na-notice akong flight of stairs on one side and silently concluded na marahil ay nasa second floor ang kuwarto niya. Well, not that I would want to check out his room.

"So... gusto mo rin maging isang doctor just like your dad," I said as I was looking at a framed family photo na naka-display sa study desk niya.

He handed me a cup of coffee. Tinanggap ko iyon with my shivering hands. The warm cup felt really good against my cold palms.

"Yes, I look up to him so much. Gusto ko rin ma-experience ang pakiramdam na magligtas ng buhay... just like he does," he said, feeling proud of his old man.

I nodded and then raised the coffee cup to my mouth. Alam ko na tinititigan niya ako while I silently sipped the coffee. And yes, magkahalong kilig at awkwardness ang naramdaman ko nang mga sandaling iyon.

Juice ko! Bakit ba ganiyan siya kung makatingin? Parang ano, eh... parang... matutunaw na yata ako sa kinatatayuan ko.

"Sit down on the couch. Be comfortable. Mi casa es su casa (My house is your house). I'll be back in a minute," sabi niya sa akin before he went upstairs.

I did as he told me.

Kumportable na akong nakaupo sa couch at tahimik na inuubos ang coffee nang makabalik siya sa munting living room. May dala siyang puting bath towel sa isang kamay at wireless blow dryer naman sa kabila. Mukhang batid ko na kung saan niya gagamitin ang mga iyon. Ow gosh! Kilig, here we go again!

"Your hair is all wet. You need to dry up or you will have a fever and a cold. Bakit ka ba laging nagpapabasa sa ulan?" he said.

Naupo siya sa tabi ko sa couch and started to squeeze my hair with the towel. The gesture almost caught me off guard pero hindi na ako nagkumento. He was doing it gently naman, probably being careful not to pull on my hair too much.

"Palagi ko nalang nakakalimutan magdala ng payong. So clumsy of me, I know," I said.

I bent forward to place the now empty coffee cup down on the center table. He then proceeded to blow dry my hair. Minutes lang ang lumipas at natuyo na kaagad ang buhok ko, hindi naman kasi iyon masyadong nabasa ng ulan.

"You can text me, I'll come bring an umbrella para sunduin ka. I won't mind," he said.

Inilapag niya ang towel at ang blow dryer sa center table. Then he sat on the couch paharap sa akin.

"Really? Edi wow! Sweet mo naman at haba naman ng hair ko kapag nagkataon," I said with a chuckle and turned a bit to face him.

I meant for it to sound like a joke... but he was looking at me intently. Nice ka! Awkward pa more!

"Tu sonrisa es hermosa (Your smile is beautiful)," he said.

Ano daw??? Kinilig ako sa pagkakasabi niya. Pero hindi ko naman naintindihan iyon, so I just shoved the thought aside.

"Ganiyan ka ba talaga ka-sweet sa mga girls na kakilala mo?" I asked, wanting to tease him para mabawasan ang awkwardness na feel na feel ko na at that moment.