Ludic Selcouth #3: Dancing Keys

Key #22

"I'm so full!" I announced right after we finished eating. Sumandal si Paesyn sa upuan niya at nangingiti akong pinagmasdan. Nailang nanaman tuloy ako at umayos ng upo.

"Did I finally changed your mind about sharing your meals with me often?" I pouted and crossed my arms. This early dinner made my day, but I'm still serious that I don't want to be seen with him in public.

I'm aware of the medias that are secretly tailing them. They're not a celebrity but their rumored upcoming world tour is on a hot news today. Mainit ang mata ng media sakanila, lalo na sakanilang mga natitirang single. Tase and Rush are already both taken, the fans are being aggressive with the remaining singles of the band.

"Paesyn, this meal made me happy but I'm serious with what I said. I don't want to be associated with you at this moment, may mga bagay na mas dapat mong pagtuunan ng pansin." napalabi siya at kita ko ang disappointment sa mga mata niya.

"Damn.. you're really a grown up woman now. But I know what I'm doing, Ava. Don't think about other people too much, they're out of my personal life." I sighed and shook my head. Alam ko naman na kayang-kaya niyang ihandle 'tong gusto niyang mangyari sa pagitan naming dalawa.

But between the two of us, I'm the one who has a tainted image publicly. Mauungkat at mauungkat ang nangyari sakin oras na malaman ng mga tao na merong kami. And our age gap.. that would be an issue too. They will think that I'm too young for Paesyn.

"Uwi na tayo." sabi ko nalang at tumayo na. Wala siyang nagawa kundi bumuntong hininga at sumunod sakin. Nagpasalamat kami kay nanay bago umalis.

I immediately told him to wear his facemask so no one will notice him. Marami kasing tao sa paligid at delikado kung may makakakilala sakaniya, dudumugin siya. Sa sobrang sikat nila, hindi malabong magkastampede dito sa side road kapag nakita nila si Paesyn.

Mabilis din naman kaming nakarating sa harap ng sasakyan niya pero bigla nalang may bumangga saking naka sunglasses at face mask na lalaki. Napaatras ako pero agad din na nahawakan ni Paesyn ang braso ko.

The man continued to walk, not minding that he just bumped me. "Who the hell is that?" I whispered.

"Are you okay?" napatingin ako kay Paesyn at agad na tumango. Pumasok na kami sa sasakyan niya at doon ko lang naramdaman ang pagod. Simula pa ron sa PE namin na pinatakbo kami nang kanda tagal.

Paesyn already started the car but I noticed that he's glancing at my knee. Napatingin din tuloy ako 'ron. I realized that I'm not wearing the university's pants anymore because I took a shower a while ago. Nagshorts na nga lang pala ako kasi pauwi naman na.

"What happened to your knee?" I automatically covered my scraped knee using my hand.

"Nadapa ako kanina.. nung PE namin.." saglit niya akong pinagmasdan bago biglang may inabot sa back seat. Napaatras tuloy ako at parang tuod na isiniksik ang sarili sa gilid, he's too close.

Nang umayos siya ng upo ay may hawak na siyang maliit na itim na bag. May kinuha siya 'ron na band-aid. He bended his back a bit and he suddenly put the band-aid on my knee after he removed my hand.

Magaan lang ang kamay niya at pansin kong nag-iingat siya na hindi mahawakan mismo ang balat ko. I was just staring at him until he cleared his throat.

"Take care next time. I don't want you to wound yourself." nahihirapan na akong huminga!

I was biting my bottom lip when I nodded at him. Ngumiti lang siya at tuluyan nang minaniubra ang sasakyan paalis.

Hindi na ako nakapagsalita pagkatapos niyang lagyan ng band-aid ang tuhod ko. It's just his typical kind gesture, but my heart is already beating so fast.