The Ugly Duckling (PUBLISHED UNDER PSICOM)

Ugly #28

My head was light, I feel like I was floating in cloud nine and I don't ever want the feeling to disappear. I've been feeling this high ever since Sage drove me back to my apartment.

Napangiwi si Luke sa akin nang makita niya ako. Tinawagan ko kasi siya para sunduin ako sa apartment patungo sa bahay namin. He asked me if I recently, for the first time, smoked pot. Then next asked me if I was sick when I didn't snap at him for his first jab at me. Nung tinanong niya na ako kung may sakit ako ay ibinigay ko na ang hinahanap niya sa akin at sinuntok siya sa braso.

"I don't think I would ever be thankful for having you physically abuse me... But thank God!" Luke dramatically exclaimed. "I thought something was wrong with you back there."

"Oh, fuck a duck, Fabella." I hissed and my attempt of lashing at him only made him laugh.

"I was kidding." Luke grinned. "So, what put you in a good mood?"

The sweet smile on my lips returned and I completely forgot that I was pissed at Luke. I think I even had the dreamy look in my face. "Si Sage..."

Luke snorted. "Of course, it's about him. What did he do now?"

I bit my lip, holding myself from grinning too wide. Luke's brow raised at me, waiting for what I'll say next. I calmed my chest and mentally took deep breaths before talking again.

"He said he's falling." halos puro hangin lang ang lumabas sa bibig ko sa sobrang hina noon.

Tumaas ang parehong kilay ni Luke. Lumingon sa akin ng isang beses si Luke bago ibinalik ang tingin sa daanan. He leaned to my side, cutting some of our distance short. "Come again?"

I blew air in my mouth and just said it out loud. "He said he's falling."

Luke pulled over, stopping the car at the side of the road. His jaw fell as he looked at me in complete surprise. I would have reacted the same if I wasn't so stunned when Sage confessed to me.

"What?" Luke gaped at me. Hindi na ako natuwa sa pagtanong niya ulit. Nabasag na ang happy vibes ko at sinuntok ko na ulit siya sa braso. Sinimangutan ko siya at mukhang natauhan na siya sa pagsapak ko sa kanya. "What did you say? Did you two kiss?"

"What? No!" my face reddened at the thought of kissing Sage. But I do think that he almost kissed me. It crossed his mind when he touched my lips and stared at it like it's a work of art. It didn't happen because he managed to tame his urges on time, but I still saw it from the way he shook his head yesterday. "Wala akong sinabi sa kanya. He smiled at me after saying it and then told me that we should leave."

"Rewind. When and where did he confess, exactly?"

I bit my lip. "After practice. Cemetery."

Bumakas na naman ang pagkagulat sa mukha ni Luke sa sagot ko. Napalitan ng tawa ang gulat sa mukha niya at humahalakhak ng wagas ang loko. "Cemetery? What the fuck are you two doing at a cemetery? In ba yan ngayon?"

Hindi ko pinansin ang pang-aasar ni Luke. Hindi ko sasabihin sa kanya ang dahilan kung bakit nandoon kami. It would be like betraying Sage. It's his secret, and he entrusted it with me. I just shrugged at him.

Natigil si Luke sa pagtawa at pumikit-pikit sa akin na parang hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa sinabi ko. Umiling-iling siya at sumipol. "Wow."

"What?" I asked. Luke turned on the engine, before started driving again. He didn't remove his eyes from the road but a proud grin was evident on his face. It was for me.

"You're one step close to finishing your quest. Congrats!" napahinto ako sa pag galaw at napawi ang ngiti sa mukha ko sa sinabi ni Luke. There wasn't any sarcasm dripping in his voice but it made me feel sick in the stomach. I honestly forgot about the whole thing the moment Sage told me about his sister. The moment he confessed to me.