Lullabies in December (Behind The Month #2)

25

25, The body's

I'm starting to like him. Or maybe, I already do... now.

That's what I realized while Safe and I were riding on his motorcycle again. Inihatid niya ako sa bahay. A huge breath escaped my lips as I remembered the observing looks his mother has given us while I was there, saying my polite goodbye.

I wonder what she thinks of me. She... didn't seem happy that I was there. It's like I was an intruder.

Feeling the wild heartbeat inside my chest, I held on to the back part of Safe's motorcycle while we were on the ride. It was past six and he's bringing his guitar with him. Nasa gitna namin ito dahil nakasabit sa likuran niya.

He will have a gig tonight.

I've been with boys before. I already entered a relationship before, reason why I'm not contemplating with what I'm feeling. I don't have to kid myself and act like I don't know what it is. I like him.

There's just so many reasons why I do. And I hope it's not bad to have this kind of feeling for him. Hinatid nga ako ni Safe sa bahay at gaya ng nangyari noong mga unang beses, nasa labas lang siya, hindi ko na inayang pumasok kaya naman nakatayo lang ako habang siya, nakasakay pa rin sa kanyang motor. He's looking at me while I find it kinda hard to do the same to him. Ayaw makisama ng puso ko.

Inayos ni Safe ang manggas ng suot na itim na jacket at maingat na kinagat ang labi.

"Uh... happy birthday, Safe. Sorry I have no gift to give you." tahimik kong nasabi.

"It's okay. Nabusog ka ba?"

Tumango ako, ngumiti na ngayon. "Oo, uh, your mom cooks well. Lahat... masarap."

He smiled and gave out a huff. "About my mom... I'm sorry if she's a little... indifferent towards you. Hindi talaga iyon kampante agad sa mga hindi pa niya nakakasama nang madalas."

"No, uh... it's okay. Naiintindihan ko naman. Wala 'yon." I chuckled softly.

"It's not okay. I'll talk to her. You were my guest." he said, sounding serious.

I made a little hand gestures, disagreeing with that. "No... huwag na at ayos lang naman talaga. You know... maybe after some time... she'll get more comfortable with me. She's..."

I paused when I realized what that meant. Medyo nanlaki ang mga mata ko. It's like, I am indirectly telling him that I should be with his mom frequently, or even have a bonding time with her!

Nagkaroon ng multo ng ngisi ang mukha niya. Lalong uminit ang pisngi ko.

"I mean, I mean... uhm, that's..."

"And you will become more comfortable with her, too." he sighed before biting his lips.

"Huh?"

He smiled with teeth and glanced at my house. "Pumasok ka na at baka naghihintay na ang parents mo. I'll go ahead, too."

"No one's waiting for me in there. I live by mys..." I trailed off and he looked at me quickly again. Natutop ko ang hininga dahil napasobra na naman sa naibigay na impormasyon. "I mean... uh..."

"Ikaw lang mag-isa riyan?" nakitaan ko ng kaunting pagkakabigla ang tanong niya.

"Well... My... My friend visits me here often so..." now it's hard to look at him.

"You're living alone? Matagal na?"

"H-Huh?"

He looked at me longer before he clenched his jaw, silently looking away.