Lay A Glance On Me 1 (Lost and Retained #2)

Kabanata 6

Kabanata 6

Can I Call

I pouted as the defeaning silence stayed. Walang nagsalita sa aming dalawa pagkatapos ni Lionel sabihin iyon. It kind of affected me because he sound concerned.. Eh kanina lang ay inaasar niya ako.

''Can I smoke?'' he suddenly said.

Napalingon ako sa kanya at nakitang may kinuha siya sa bulsa ng slacks niya. Inilibas noon ang isang puting sigarilyo at itim na lighter. Agad ko tuloy nakalimutan ang sinabi niya kanina. He smoke! That's dangerous and disgusting!

Aside sa nakakadagdag sa air pollution, nakakasira rin ng buhay!

''You smoke?'' tanong ko habang nakangiwi.

He licked his lips. ''Yes. Ayaw mo ba?''

Iniwas ko ang tingin. I don't like men who smoke. I don't like the smell and it is harmful! I've heard several stories about people who died because of it and it is scary!

But then, I can't deny the fact the Lionel looks hot while holding the cigarette. Mukha siyang bad boy at hindi ko mapagkakailang iba ang dating ng sex appeal niya. Idagdag pa na may hikaw siya at eyebrow cut.

He laughed. ''Mukhang ayaw mo. Next time na lang.''

Pagkatapos niyang sabihin iyon ay nakita kong tinago niyang muli ang sigarilyo. What? I didn't say anything! Was it obvious with my expression?

''I didn't say anything! But I hope you know that smoking is harmful,'' I shrugged.

''Do you like men who smoke?'' he asked.

''No.''

Ilang beses siyang tumango. ''Alright. I guess I need to quit smoking?'' he chuckled.

Lumapit siya sa trash can na nasa entrance ng dunkin donuts at tinapon ang sigarilyo. My brows furrowed with his action. Wala naman akong sinabi na itapon niya!

''Why did you throw it? Titigil ka na sa paninigarilyo?'' tanong ko nang tumabi siya ulit sa akin.

''Yeah. Why?''

Oh my ghod.. Don't tell me he will quit it because I said that I don't like men who smoke?! Does he like me?

We have been getting along for the past weeks. May mga araw na nakakasabay ko siya sa coffee shop or sa canteen. I thought we are friends.. or am I assuming again?

''Huwag mong sabihin na titigil ka dahil sa sinabi ko? Do you like me, Lionel?'' I asked with full confidence as I face his stance.

He chuckled. Tumayo siya nang tuwid at nilagay sa kanyang bulsa ang dalawang kamay. Patagilid kaming magkaharap nang lumapit siya upang pantayan ang tingin ko.

''No. I don't mix friendships with romance, Lucy..''

''Buti naman! I guess we are on the same page,'' ani ko at agad umiwas na tingin.

I sighed heavily. That's good to know, then! I've been really devoted with Jarrell and I don't think I'd ever like someone other than him.

''You really reminds me of someone. Ayaw niya rin sa naninigarilyo,'' he sounded happy while saying it.

Kunot noo akong tinignan siya pabalik. Pangalawang beses niya nang sinabi ito ah! The first time was when I saw that kuting and now, because of cigarette? Sino ba iyong someone na iyon at bakit parang masyado siyang invested?

''Who's that? Baka naman may girlfriend ka?'' pang-uusisa ko.

Iniwas niya ang tingin. ''Nevermind. Anyway, bakit ka ulit ginabi? Kanina pa ang tapos ng klase mo ah?''