"Uhh, is that okay? Na hindi sundin ang room assignment?" I asked.
"Maybe. That's just a room assignment." Sinulyapan niya ako. "I'll just get my bag."
"Okay."
Pagbalik niya ay dala-dala na niya ang kanyang backpack at isang duffel bag.
"You should sleep now. It's late. Maaga pa tayo bukas."
Tumango ako. But I don't think I can sleep being in the same room with him. Isn't this what I want?
I don't want him to go back in the room where Niña is. Pero hindi ko naman hiniling 'to. I mean, okay na rin but...
Humiga na lang ako. Berlin turned off the room's main light and just left the lampshade beside us open.
"Good night, Zeph," he whispered. He's already on his bed.
"Good night," I replied. Humiga ako patalikod sa kanya. Maybe I will fall asleep if I will not face him.
But I'm wrong. Tingin ko'y naka-isang oras na at hindi pa rin ako nakakatulog. I kept thinking about the person I'm in the same room with.
Nilingon ko siya. Dahil nasa gitna namin ang lampshade ay kitang-kita ko ang mukha niya. He's already asleep. Sana ako rin.
Hindi ko masisisi si Niña kung bakit gusto niya si Berlin. She obviously likes him. Berlin would pass as a model. Kahit tulog ay gwapo. Lalo na syempre 'pag gising. I just don't know why he didn't try modelling like his cousin, Moscow.
"Sleep now, Zeph."
Nagulat ako nang dumilat siya. I thought he's already asleep!
"G-Gising ka pa?"
"Stop watching me. Close your eyes and sleep."
Ngumuso ako. "I'm not watching you."
Ngumisi siya.
"Hindi talaga ako makatulog. Isang oras na kaya akong nakapikit."
"Bakit hindi ka ba makatulog?"
Should I tell him that I couldn't fall asleep because of him? Of course not.
"I couldn't tell you."
Nagtaas siya ng kilay.
"You're thinking of something?"
"Uhh, yeah."
Nag-seryoso siya. "Or someone?"
Tumango ako.
"Who? Your classmate?"
Kumunot ang noo ko. "Who?"
"Your classmate whom you told everyone as your suitor and not me."
"Clark? Why would I think about him?"
"Tss. Then why you couldn't tell me who's the person on your mind?"
Unti-unti akong napangiti. Bumangon ako at naupo sa harap niya.
"What did I tell you why I was crying earlier? I'm jealous. Right? Of you and Niña."
Nakataas pa rin ang kilay niya sa'kin.
"Why would I think of someone else right now when I just confessed to you that I'm jealous of her?"
"Then tell me who's keeping you awake."
I rolled my eyes. "It's you."
Mukhang hindi siya naniniwala. Pero umirap ulit ako nang makita ang pinipigilan niyang ngiti.
YOU ARE READING
The Candle of Love
RomanceLife was never easy for Zephorah Ives Abello. She couldn't get along with her sister, her stepfather hates her for being his wife's daughter to another man, and she doesn't receive the same love that her mother's pouring to her sister. Plus the fac...
