Ludic Selcouth #2: This Song Saved My Life

Chapter 10

“Hello?”

“Hey.” I swallowed when I heard his voice. Pinigilan ko ang ngiti na gustong kumawala at huminga nang malalim.

“Hi. Napatawag ka?” I tried to speak casually but I can still sense the slight shake on my voice.

“I’m sorry I haven’t contacted you for a week. I got busy both with university and the band. I was able to clear my schedule today so... I just want to ask if you want to go on a brief roadtrip? We don’t have any gigs tonight,” he said.

My heart continuously cartwheeled inside my ribcage. Sa sobrang lakas noon ay pakiramdam ko maririnig din ni Rush sa kabilang linya.

Hindi agad ako nakapagsalita dahil pina-process pa ng utak ko ang mga sinabi niya. He’s basically asking me if I want to hangout with him.

Why?

“But if you’re busy, it’s okay—”

“N-no... I mean, I’m not busy. What time?” natataranta kong sagot. Nanliit naman ang mata ni Mallory nang mapansin ang reaksyon ko.

“Do you still have class? If none, we can do it now. I’ll fetch you.” Nanlaki ang mata ko at napatingin sa mga notes na kasalukuyang inaaral.

I’m sure I can still study later!

“Sure! We’re on a nearby café,” I said, also dictating the name of the coffee shop.

“Okay then, see you.”

Agad akong inusisa ni Mallory pagkababa ko sa cellphone. “What is it?” she asked eagerly.

Malawak akong ngumiti at hindi maipaliwanag ang sayang nararamdaman. “Roadtrip daw...” sagot ko.

Paimpit siyang tumili habang nakatakip ang bibig. Napatawa ako at sinimulan nang ayusin ang mga nakakalat kong notes sa lamesa.

“Is it okay if I leave you here?” tanong ko kay Mallory habang isinisilid na ang binder sa aking backpack.

“Of course! Support ako sa magiging lovelife mo kaya go!” aniya at humagikhik.

“Anong lovelife sinasabi mo riyan? Your imagination is on another level!” I said. It’s too early to conclude that this will lead to something like that.

“Oh please, Alectrona! Why do you think he’s asking you for a roadtrip?! It’s a date! Doon din kayo pupunta!” Hindi ko na lang siya pinansin dahil umaasa ako dahil sa mga sinasabi niya.

Ilang saglit pa ay nasa labas na ako ng café para abangan si Rush. I can’t let him enter inside anymore, there’s a lot of eyes and ears there.

After how many minutes, I already saw the familiar car approaching. Nang bumukas ang driver side ay lumapit na ako ron at nginitian si Rush. Bumalik na sa rati ang kulay ng buhok niya pero kumikinang pa rin ang mga piercing niya sa tenga.

He smiled and immediately opened the passenger for me. “Your throne, your highness,” he said.

Natawa ako at umiling-iling. “Hello to you too, Rush,” I said. Pumasok na ako sa sinasabi niyang throne ko. Suki na talaga ako nitong sasakyan niya, the passenger seat to be specific.

Agad din naman siyang umikot para pumasok sa driver seat. He started the engine and instantly drove away. “Did you already eat? We can go to a drive thru first,” he asked and briefly glanced at me.

“Thank you, I only had coffee earlier,” I answered. Tumango naman siya at ibinalik ang pokus sa kalsada. Agad akong nag-isip ng pwedeng itanong sa kaniya. I don’t want a dead air between us this time.