A Life Without You [Completed, Published Under Ukiyoto Publishing]

11.

"You're making me to like you more," napaawang ang mga labi ko nang bigkasin nito ang mga salitang halos hindi ko mapaniwalaan, he avoided my gaze and balled his fist. Kitang-kita ko rin ang pag-igting ng panga nito.

"I-ito naman, huwag ka naman magbiro nang ganyan, Clight. T-tapusin na natin ito at nang makabalik na tayo sa ibaba. Baka magtaka na yung mga iyon kung bakit natatagalan tayo rito," pagdadahilan ko, he just nodded his head at agad rin naman nag-iwas ng tingin sa akin atsaka naman bumalik sa pagtatanggal ng table cloth.

I don't what to react about what he said it will only gibe me false hopes. I felt my cheeks burned at hanggang ngayon ay nag-iinit pa rin. I can't look directly at his eyes, hindi ko na rin magawang magsalita pang muli kaya naman mas pinili ko na lamang ang manahimik.

"I heard you're a stargazer," muli akong nalalingon sa kaniya nang magsalita ito. His attention wasn't on me, kaya kahit hindi niya ibinabaling sa akin ang paningin ay tumango pa rin ako.

"Yeah, madalas ako rito. To the point na may nakakita sa akin na nakatayo diyan sa parapet wall." Sambit ko at tinupi ang cloth.

"Hindi ko nga rin alam kung bakit madalas diyan ako nakatayo. Little by little, I got used to it. I'm not afraid of heights anymore. But, I'm afraid that I might fall. Not in this building, but to fall asleep. Forever." Ani ko at ipinagpag ang kamay nang matapos maitapon ang mga paper plates sa trash can.

"Stella. How much more words do I need to tell you that I'm always here to catch every pain you feel. " Ani nito.

"Hindi naman sa kinakalong ko ang lahat nararamdaman ko, hindi ko kayang ipakita na mahina ako, Noah. Ayaw 'kong kaawan nila ako nang dahil sa kalagayan ko." He just gave me a deep sigh.

"Are you done?"

"Yeah, let's get back down there." Ani ko naman. Wala pang ilang segundo ay umupo ito sa may bandang harapan ko at kaniyang tinapik ang balikat.

"Anong ginagawa mo, Clight? Tumayo ka nga diyan!" Hiyaw ko. He laughed.

"Come on, I don't want you to get tired."

"Ayos lang, kaya ko pa naman maglakad." I sarcasticly said. I was about pass him when he suddenly grabbed my wrist that made me trip causing me to fall and made him to catch me with his hands.

We stare each other at the moment, his hands were on my hips and he was holding it too tight. I saw his eyes widened in shock.

Dali-dali akong kumalas, nag-iwas tingin at tumayo. I cleared my throat and laugh awkwardly.

"I told you, I'm fine."

"Well, I'm not. Now, hop in for a piggy back ride." He looked at me with some sort of mad eyes. I bit my lower lip and just nodded since I had no choice but to do it even if he looks tired.

Pababa na kami at ngayon ay nakakalong ako sa kaniya, I felt sleepy too because this piggy back ride felt so good. I never experienced this before.

"About the thing that someone saw you standing at the edge of that parapet wall. . . Do you somehow, saw its face?" He asked, even though I can't see him for sure I know he asked me while brows are knitted.

"Well, yeah? I guess? I could only see the side of his face, and his eyes." Sambit ko rito, tumango-tango naman ito.

"What does he looks like?" Pagkukuro nitomg muli, bakit ba ang dami nitong tanong ngayon?

"He's six-one tall, had a black and thick hair. He had this amber type of eyes. Ayon, he also said na ipapakita niya raw sa akin kung ano ang nasa likod ng pinto na hindi ko pa kailanman nabubuksan. 'Yon lang naaalala ko and I'm still searching for him, for me to extend my gratitude towards his kindness for a stranger like me." Ani ko at tumawa.