Ciao, Mister Stranger (18+) (Wattys Shortlist Finalist)

Eighteen

Matteo grips my hand tightly as we run, rain pouring down in fine sheets around us. He keeps his back to me, pulling me along without ever glancing back, leaving me staring at the back of his head more often than not.

"Where are you taking me?" I shout, hoping Matteo can hear me over the roar of the rain.

Hindi naman niya ako sinagot o tiningnan man lang. Mahigpit pa rin ang hawak niya sa kamay ko na para bang ayaw niya akong pakawalan.

We keep running, the cold seeping into my bones. The more we distance ourselves from everyone else, the more my anxiety rises. The path ahead twists and turns, becoming a reflection of my tangled thoughts and doubts. I could easily break free from Matteo's grasp, but something inside me holds back, a quiet whisper urging me to stay close.

A few minutes later, we reach a small park that's all too familiar to me. Minsan na kasi akong tumambay rito gayong malapit na lang ito sa apartment. Sa gitna nito ay may isang maliit na gazebo na niyayakap ng nagtataasang bougainvillea. Mayabong ang mga dahon at mga bulaklak nitong kulay puti. That's where we take shade from the rain.

Nagtinginan muna kami ni Matteo bago sabay na ibinaling ang mga mata sa magkaibang direksyon. Humingal ako at sumandal sa isa sa mga columns nito.

"Luke said—" Natigil ako para ayusin ang takas na basang buhok na bahagyang tumatakip sa mukha ko, "—Luke said there's only five percent chance of rain today." I smile.

Sumandal din siya sa kabilang column na katapat ko.

"This is the five percent," sagot niya sa'kin. Nilakasan din niya ang kanyang boses para matalo ang dumadagundong na buhos ng ulan. Maski siya ay nangiti na rin matapos niyang sabihin 'yon.

My face goes up in flames the second I realize how his soaked white shirt clings to his chest—every muscle, every line, perfectly outlined. I can see everything. My throat dries up instantly. Nope. Eye contact is now canceled. I drop my gaze.

Then, that's when it hits me—my soaked white shirt has turned traitor as well, revealing the yellow bra I thought was securely hidden. It's now glaringly visible, shining through like a neon sign. I instinctively cross my arms over my chest, sneaking a glance at him.

His smile is gone, replaced by an intense, hot gaze that sets my heart racing. The air feels thick, and I can hardly breathe! It's like something is about to erupt deep within me as he starts to move closer. 

I count his steps.

One. . .two. . .three. Iyon lang ang kinailangan niya para makatayo siya sa mismong harapan ko. Tinanggal niya ang navy blue jacket na nakatali palibot sa kanyang baywang at saka ito maingat na ipinatong sa likod ko. Hindi iyon gaanong basa kaya naman tama lang na gamiting pantakip sa katawan. 

He carefully adjusts it, ensuring it covers me completely, his hands lingering on my shoulders as he faces me.

The warmth from his hands seeps through the fabric, adding to the already smoldering heat in my cheeks. His brown eyes search mine, and the air between us crackles even more. I can now feel his breath. His heavy, hot breaths everywhere.

"I don't know if this will make a difference," he murmurs as he knots the sleeves of the jacket together over my chest, his voice a deep rumble. Tinitukoy niya ang bahagya kong panginginig dahil sa ginaw.

Pero may iba pang nangyari. Hinatak niya bigla ang bulaklak ng alstromeria na ibinigay sa akin ni Luke kanina na nakasabit pa rin pala sa itaas ng tenga ko. He crushes the delicate petals in his fist and tosses it aside with a flick of his wrist. There's a raw bitterness in the way he does it, a silent claim that leaves my heart pounding even more.