Hospital Series 1: Paraluman

Chapter 35

"Ano ba talagang problema natin?"

I stared at him like a deer caught in red light. Alam ko naman na dapat na namin pag-usapan 'to pero hindi ko alam paano sasabihin o kung paano magsisimula. I looked at my hands, collecting my thoughts habang tahimik siyang nag-aantay sa tabi ko.

After a few minutes, he finally sighed. "Are you pressured?"

Inangat ko ang ulo to look at him. I can't read his expression anymore but he doesn't look as irritated as before. He glanced at his hands bago binalik sa'kin ang tingin. "Do you really want this?"

"Ha?" I stupidly asked him.

Pakiramdam ko we're not in the same page. Chewy probably noticed the tension. He got up from the floor at tumalon sa sofa. He sat between us and put his head on my lap. Uno sighed 'saka sumandal sa sofa. "I can't remember asking, I...I just assumed that you want this relationship--"

"I want this relationship," mabilis kong putol sa kaniya. Napatingin lang sakin si Uno, waiting for me to continue. Emotions started flooding in. The lump in my throat went back. "I'm just scared," I whispered.

I felt my tears welled up so I bow my head. That was probably a bad idea dahil parang lalo siyang tumulo. Pupunasan ko sana yun nang mabilis when Uno's cold hands enveloped my wrist. Napaangat ako nang tingin.

Worry dominated his eyes now as he lightly raised his arms and gently pulled me in a hug. The hug I badly craved for. I scooted in and let him caged me between his arms. I sniffed. I missed this scent. I miss this warmth. I felt him kiss the top of my head. I miss his kisses. "I'm sorry... I didn't know," he whispered gently.

We stayed like that while I sniffed the tears away. Uno held me gently for too long I almost thought nakatulog na siya. Until he spoke again. "Saan ka natatakot?" he asked.

Now that I can't see Uno's face, parang mas madali na magsalita. Mas lalo kong binaon ang mukha sa dibdib niya. Come on, Trish. You're just prolonging the agony. I deeply breathe in.

"Doc PatMae's back," I murmured.

Hindi agad sumagot si Uno. He just sat there hugging me. "What about it?" he finally asked.

"I already know she's your ex," I whispered.

Uno didn't respond. Akala ko hindi niya narinig. Uulitin ko sana nang marahan niya kong nilayo para matignan sa mata. He slowly licked his lower lip at ngumuso na parang nangingiti.

"You're scared because Patmae's back and she's my ex," he repeated, his eyes asking for confirmation. I bit my lower lip unsure if I should say yes. Pakiramdam ko iba na naman ang nasa isip niya. The impatient brute raised his left eyebrow at tumungo ng onti, eager for an answer.

"Yes," I finally whispered.

The smile he suppressed for a while suddenly broke out. A short chuckle even escaped and he tried to hide it by pursing his lips and looking away. Which irritates me more.  "What's funny?" Inis kong tanong

Umiling ang singkit na labanos na 'to at pilit akong seryosong tinignan pabalik. But he can't dahil nangiti siya ulit. I opened my mouth para magsalita sana ulit pero natigil when he tried to pull me in. Of course, I didn't let him.

"I'm sorry. I just...I just can't believe you're jealous," he gently explained. Lalong lumalim ang simangot ko pero hindi nun nabura ang maliit na ngisi sa labi ni Uno. I sighed. "Hindi ako nagseselos. Ang sabi ko, takot ako," marahan at madiin kong sabi.