Impervious Treasure (Azcona Cousins #2)

04

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Chapter 04

"Don't ever try on letting go of my hand, Emrie," bulong niya nang nagpumilit akong kumawala sa pagkasiklop ng aming kamay. He clasped his hand on mine even more.

"This is not appropriate, Ramsis," singhal ko sa kanya.

"Minsan lang naman 'to mangyari. Pagbigyan mo na ako... wala namang tao," he reasoned out.

"Even so."

Ramsis gaze at me and gave me a pleading visage. Tahimik akong nagulantang nang dumapo ang hinlalaki niya sa'king baba para makita niya ang mukha ko. I saw his damn beautiful eyes muntik ko nang malimutan na huminga ng maayos. "Please?"

"Tss. This will be the last time, Ram," pagsuko ko.

He let out a light chuckle. "Can't promise you that but... alright," he murmured something but his voice was so soft and weak that I didn't hear it. It was more like a hum.

Diretso lang ang mga mata ko habang naglalakad kami. I wanted to keep my distance from him but his hand wouldn't let me do that. Ang tanging paraan na lamang ay itago ko ang kamay namin sa libro kong hawak. My head was slightly bowed down when we were walking. Gusto ko lang makasigurado na walang makakakilala sa'kin.

Agad akong bumitaw nang nakahanap na siya ng lamesa para sa'ming dalawa. Ayaw niya pa sana ngunit ginawaran ko na agad siya ng mapanganib na tingin. Hindi niya inilapag ang bag ko. I know that he's making sure that I won't escape from him.

"You like chicken wings and ice cream, right? Honey lemon and spicy barbecue for the chicken wings, and coffee crumble for the ice cream flavor... tama ba ako?" hindi na ako nagulat na alam niya ang gusto ko dahil 'yon ang madalas niyang dala kapag nag-aaya si Gian ng movie marathon sa bahay namin. The food he brings always rotate on pizzas, chicken wings, and lasagna. Ang ice cream naman ay laging may dalawang option: coffee crumble at pistachios.

Hindi ko na maalala kung paano niya nalamang paborito ko ang coffee crumble. Maybe he witnessed some of our brother's arguments about the ice cream. Lagi kaming nag-aaway ni Gian kung kanino ang mas malaki ang hati. At bilang mas nakakatanda sa kanya, lagi ako ang nagpapaubaya, and in the end, I'd buy from the nearest convenience store to gratify myself.

"Yes."

"Okay. I'll be back," nagsimula na siyang lumakad nang maalala ko ang bag ko. Naroon kasi ang aking wallet.

"Wait."

He shifted his weight as he lifted his soft, docile brow. "You still have food in mind?"

"Give me my bag because I'll get my wallet."

His face contorted. "What about your wallet, Emrie?"

"I'll pay for my food, Ram," mataman kong sagot sa kanya. He scowled.

"I have money. I can pay for us," aniya at tinalikuran na ako.

The cafeteria's stuffed with different college students. Babad sa kanya-kanyang mga laptop at 'di na halos ginagalaw ang pagkaing nasa harap. I mentally sighed.

Ano kayang mangyayari sa'kin pagtungtong ko ng kolehiyo? Dad's been bugging me on taking a business related course. Wala akong interes sa negosyo namin. I'd be glad if Gian would take responsibility for it. Naikuwento niya sa'kin na gusto niyang kuhaing academic strand ang Accountancy, Business, and Management. Ang problema naman ay gusto siyang maging engineer ni Dad.

So fucked up.

Ramsis placed the food on our table. I grabbed the ice cream up first at nakita ko ang pagsilay ng ngiti ng kaharap ko sa aking ginawa. He put the plastic gloves on the side of my plate. Mahina naman akong nagpasalamat. We were both silent as we devour our food. We shared the same food and I don't have anything against sharing it with him. Tutal siya rin nagbayad ng kinakain ko. He waited for me to finish my ice cream before he picked his own chicken wings. Medyo nahiya pa ako dahil mas marami na akong nakain kumpara sa tatlong pakpak na kinain niya.