Fourth of October (Juntarsiego Series #1)

Chapter 39

"That's heavily guarded. Mind me telling what painting is that?" Jaeden's voice asked me as he is placing it on the upper part.

Nakatayo ito sa isang hakbang ng hagdanan. He's placing it on the center like what I have instructed him. Nakakahiyang utusan ito dahil pormal na pormal ang suot nito.

He's wearing a white long sleeves and tucked on his black slacks. He insisted that he should be the one to put it for my safety. Hinayaan ko na lang kaysa naman magtalo pa kaming dalawa.

"Not really interesting. Naisipan ko lang naman kaya mabuting ilagay na rin dito," sagot ko.

He finally placed it on the center. Bumaba ito sa hagdanan hanggang sa humarap na sa akin. Giving a quick glance to the painting, his eyes narrowed as if suspecting me from what I am hiding.

"Are you sure? I wanna see it."

"Hindi muna ngayon. Maybe sa opening? Makakahintay ka naman siguro?" I asked, smiling at him playfully.

He shook his head and started crossing his arms. Bakat ang katawan nito sa suot kung kaya't ngumisi ako lalo. As usual, he looks like not interested with my expression.

Iyong asul niyang mga mata ang mas nagpapakaba sa akin. His letter appeared inside me and so I got the chance to finally ask him about it.

"Iyong sulat mo, para ba sa magulang ko iyon o para mabasa ko at malaman kong... mahal mo ako?" I asked him as my voice got lower. Tumayo lang ito nang hindi gumagalaw. His eyes searched for mine as he inhaled a breath.

Even if I didn't read that letter, I know that he still got some feelings for me. His actions speaks so well without his mouth being moved. Kitang-kita doon ang kakaibang emosyon na katulad ng dati.

He is still in love with me. May nararamdaman at kahit na anong pag-iwas ko sa katotohanang iyon, ganoon pa rin ang magiging kalalabasan.

He will still be in love with me.

"Will you be mad at that truth?" he said continously as if he's not asking about the feeling. Uminit na kaagad ang pisngi ko sa gano'n.

I started looking at the glass walls behind him. Sumasapaw ang atensyon ko sa kanya. I am afraid that maybe if I can finally stare at his eyes again, I can see his true intention: to love me the way he do.

"Wala na tayo, 'di ba? Bakit mahal mo pa rin ako?" I calmly asked.

"Hindi naman kita nakalimutan. You were the one who forgot me."

"Kasi iyon ang dapat na gawin. I don't need to sugarcoat anything, Jaed. I am truly thankful with what we've shared for the past years. At aaminin kong... hindi ka naman mahirap mahalin."

He sniffed and chuckled a bit. Scratching his nape, he also scratched his perfect nose, making it look red now. Inilagay nito ang kamay sa bulsa saka tuluyang sumandal sa mesang nasa likuran.

I feel nothing aside from being grateful for his presence. As he looked down, some strands of his hair fell, moving in synchronization with him. Marahan niyang sinuklay iyon saka umangat na naman ang tingin. He looks hot while simply doing that.

"Sabi ni Dominique, ang boring ko raw na tao. Hindi naman kita nilambing dati kaya bakit ang dali kong mahalin para sa'yo?"

"Because we vibe. Hindi na nga high school dati kaya hindi naman ako umaasam ng kahit na anong lambing. Your maturity's enough and I don't need to ask for more," tugon ko rito na ikinangiti niya lalo.

I don't know if he's happy because I said it or because he's not realizing that we are not in some relationship now. Mas lalo lang itong naglabas ng mapuputing ngipin na ikinairap ko ng bahagya.