Keep Me Closer

13th: Pursue That Thing

I grabbed a coat and immediately glanced at Eustace who was waiting for me to say something after answering the call with Rhyl.

"He wants to talk with me about what happened that night."

"Ikaw lang mag-isa?" tanong ni Eustace at humakbang palapit sa akin. "What if that incident would happen again?"

"He acted crazy, Eustace. Alam ko. Pero parang may problema yata siya."

"And then? You are the solution?"

"Never," saad ko at imismid.

Binuksan ko ang pinto at malungkot na ngumiti sa kanya. "Let us talk when I come back?"

But instead of giving me a nod or a simple answer he just stared at me. As if in a conflict with himself inside his mind. Sa paraan nang pagtitig niya ay parang kitang-kita ko kung paano siya mag-isip ng desisyon. His eyes speak so much of his emotions even when he hadn't opened his lips just yet.

Tinitigan ko rin siya pabalik. I took in the sight in front of me. His stance in the middle of the living room. Tall, appealing, and gorgeous. Gusto kong titigan na lang siya sa sitwasyon na ito. God, Eustace. Ano'ng nangyayari sa akin dahil sa 'yo?

Iminuwestra ko ang nakabukas na pinto para kalmadong ipapaalala sa kanya na kailangan ko nang umalis.

"Would you mind if I want to go with you?"

Parang nagtuyo ang laway ko sa bibig. Eustace looks defenseless in front of me. Gone was his restriction and confusion that were evident in his eyes seconds ago.

"Why would you bother, Eustace?"

"It is not a bother, Lienna," seryoso niyang sagot sa akin, ang mga mata ay hindi niya makitaan nang padadalawang isip. "You aren't a bother."

"Why?"

Katulad ng mga nakalipas na mga araw na tinatanong ko siya kung bakit... hindi niya ulit ako masagot.

Maski ako hind ko masagot ang sarili kung bakit bumibilis ang pagtambol ng dibdib sa tuwing ganito ang asta namin sa isa't-isa.

"No one would drive you to that apartment," bawi ni Eustace.

Tinitigan ko pa rin siya. Umaasa na may mahinuha mula sa kalmado niyang paghinga at mga mata na maya't-mayang dumadapo sa paligid at sa akin.

Ganito ba ang pakiramdam na may kaibigan na gustong magmalasakit? I only have one friend which is Danica. She cares for me. She had been with me during my tough battles and even cried with me during my disappointments and frustrations.

But Eustace? As he stood in front of me with eyes almost wanting to claim my gaze the entire time while my heart continues to drum in furious beats and my lips fiddling worked I couldn't mutter loudly.

I am rendered weak every time despite my stubborn and insisting personality.

Inayos ko ang coats sa nakapatong sa balikat tapos ay tumango.

"Ihahatid mo ako?"

Tumango si Eustace. He adjusted his polo and nodded his head. "I will get my coat."

At pinagmasdan ko siyang lumabas ng unit ko habang malalaki ang mga hakbang. I locked the door and gaze at his unit until he went out wearing a black winter coat and boots.

I maintained a composed stance despite my emotions hitting the hilt upon seeing him-no matter what he wears he always looks attractive.

We walked side by side then settled inside his car. Minutes after we are now roaming the roads as we took in the daytime scenery of Livonia to Detroit. The streets weren't empty but it wasn't too swamped also.