The Replacement Wife

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

"Saan tayo?" tanong ko sabay ayos ng aking seatbelt.

"Ikaw, where do you want to go?" 

I rolled my eyes and pursed my lips.  Don't tell me he asked me for a date without any plans?

"Sa puso mo," bulong ko at umiwas ng tingin.

"What? What the hell?"

Nanlaki ang mata ko at agad napatingin sa kaniya. He's glancing at me sideway.

"Ayy ha? Joke lang! Wala, wala!" agad na bawi ko nang natatawa ng pilit.

"So, saan nga tayo?" I always felt awkward whenever I am with him. And I don't know when this feeling will stop o kung titigil ba ito.

He heaved a sigh and I'm not sure if I was just imagining things or what, but I saw a ghost of smile on his lips.

"Well..." He looked at me. This time, I'm really sure he smiled! Damn it. Ngumiti na naman siya sa akin.

"Let's just drive through this road and find out where this ride will take us, shall we?" he said, with a small smile curving on his lips.

I couldn't do anything but to be fazed at whatever he do, whatever he says. Bakit ba kasi ang gwapo niya?

I flashed a smile and nodded.

I let out a breath and looked in front as he accelerated the car. I don't know where this ride would take us, how this day would end, but whenever I am with him, I always felt like there's nothing to worry about.  Because whenever I am with him... I felt like everything's gonna be worth the while.

***

"Seriously? Amusement park?" I chuckled amusingly as I looked outside the window to see where the car stopped.

"I'm tired from driving. But if you don't want here, then we'll take our leave."

Agad akong napalingon sa kaniya. "Hoy! Wala akong sinabi!" I was shocked and immediately bit my lower lip when I realized that I raised my voice at him.

Parang pati si Zeiger ay nagulat sa biglaang pagtaas ng boses ko dahil medyo nakaawang ang labi niya habang tinitignan ako.

"S-Sorry... I just can't stop it. I... I'm just excited---" My words were cut off when he reached out for my hand and gently pressed it.

I met his gaze and I stared at his deep set orbs.

"Hey, it's okay." Tinanggal niya ang kamay niya sa kamay ko at tumingin sa harap.

Napaawang ang labi ko at napatitig ako sa kaniya.  My heart's making a deafening sound inside my chest as it beats rapidly. Ramdam na ramdam ko din ang pag-iinit ng pisngi ko.

Iyon lang ang sinabi niya pero kung maka-react ako ay parang sinabi niya na sa akin na mahal niya ako. Psh. Get a hold of yourself, Elaine Satana!

"Ayy...ahh... T-Tara na?" wala sa sariling pag-aaya ko at agad tinanggal ang aking seatbelt bago binuksan ang pinto at lumabas.

Napanguso ako at bumuga ng hangin. Even him realized that I was too stilted when I am with him. I need to loosen up. We won't enjoy this date if I am acting this way, right? Halata din naman na pinipilit ni Zeiger na gawing maayos ang kahahatnungan ng date na ito.

I shouldn't holdback and just act naturally. That would be a good start.

Napatalon ako nang maramdaman ang magaspang na kamay na humawak sa kamay ko at dahan-dahang pinagsisiklop ang aming mga daliri. I looked up at Zeiger and saw how he drew his lower lip between his teeth. Obviously, by how the sides of his lips rose, it seems like his stifling a smile. I rolled my eyes heavenward.