Frozen Heart (KARA FANFICTION)

Chapter 32: One Step at a Time

Unconsciously, after their night of adventure escapade, Ara and Mika spent most of their time together much to the former's family's delight. They haven't realized it but they have become quite unseperable the past few days as they undeniably enjoy each other's company. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end as the latter would be leaving tomorrow. With the impending departure, the duo, just like how they've been doing so far, were to spend the rest of the day together again.

It should have been different and they could have made it more exceptional since it was supposed to be somewhat like a sendoff for the taller fellow except for one thing—whatever they had in mind was nothing near that as out of all the places in the world, they went for the mall. It was the perfect nest for a never ending sea of crowd with New Year's eve just a few days away but they didn't mind. They were caught up in their own little world to even care. They have been too preoccupied with each other that they even failed to noticed that as they walk, their fingers had already sneaked into a comfortable lock. It happened so naturally that their hands just find it's way towards one another the moment they set foot at the entrance.

Glee was overflowing all over the place yet silence filled the two of them maybe because they're about to part or they may be simply making the most out of the remaining time. It wasn't as if they wouldn't see each other any time soon but then, their recently established closeness stirred something or maybe the comfort of each other's silence was more than enough for them.

Syempre, hindi natapos ang araw nila sa kalalakad lang. Nariyang nanuod sila ng sine, nag-arcade, nag-store hopping at kumain. Tipikal na ginagawa ng mga taong nagde-date ngunit kung sila ang tatanungin patungkol sa kung ano ang ginagawa nila ay malamang na ibang sagot ang kanilang ibigay. Kung sila man ay inosente, manhid o sadyang nagmamaang-maangan ay sila lang ang nakakaalam.

Sa huli, kasabay ng paglubog ng araw ay ang ang kanilang paglisan. Lulan nang purong itim na sasakyang, tila isang gabing di nasilayan ng mga tala, ay binaynay nila ang daan pabalik sa Clarkton at tulad ng nakagawian na ni Ara ay inihatid n'ya hanggang sa pinto ng tinutuluyang silid ang dalaga.

Isa. Dalawa. Tatlo.

Kanina pang na-iswipe ang keycard ngunit walang kumikibo sa kanila na para bang wala ni isang may balak magpaalam. Wari'y pareho silang naghihintay sa kasiguraduhan ng kawalan.

"Ah.. Sige. Salamat sa paghatid." Paalam ni Mika. Akma na s'yang tatalikod nang walang nakuhang atensyon subalit may ibang plano ang kanyang kasama.

"Sandali." Pigil nito sa kanya.

"Bak—" Naputol ang sasabihan n'ya dahil sa biglang pagbato nito nang isang puting paper bag. Mabuti na lamang at maagap n'ya iyong nasalo bago pa tumama sa kanyang mukha.

"Ano to?" Usisa n'ya nang may pagtataka palibhasa'y hindi n'ya maalalang may binili ito kanina at kung magkagayon man ay tiyak na mapapansin n'ya dahil ni minsan ay hindi naman sila naghiwalay. Ang totoo pa nga ay halos buong maghapon silang magkahawak kamay.

"Hindi pa ba halata?"

"Sorry. Shunga lang." Tugon n'ya habang tumatango-tango ng bahagya na tila ba nang-aasar.

"Tingnan mo kung anong laman." Utos nito na agad n'yang sinunod. Nang kanyang mabuklat ay ay napagtanto n'yang may laman pala iyong isang kulay itim na t-shirt.

"Teka para saan 'to?" Sa halip na maliwanagan ay mas lalo yata s'yang nagulumihanan. Matalino naman s'ya at mabilis maka-pick up sa anumang usapin pero pagdating kay Ara tila parati s'yang naliligaw sa sansinukob.