Platonic Hearts (Compass Series #1)

Chapter Twenty-eight

His eyes brighten up. "About us? You really mean this, Aria?"

Lumapad pa lalo ang ngiti ko. "Oo naman... Sabi mo nga, 'di ba? Level up nalang natin. I will trust this process..."

He grinned widely. Napaangat ang tingin niya at bahagyang napabuga ng hininga na para bang kanina pa may nagpipigil sa kanyang huminga. He shook his head before reached for my hand on my side. Marahan niyang dinala iyon sa mga labi niya. "You won't regret this. I promise."

He slowly leaned forward. I heaved a deep breath before I felt his lips brushed mine. This is the second time I felt his lips but still feels so new. Gusto kong mapamura sa isipan. I have no idea how to do this!

Luckily, it was only just a peck. He just chuckled afterwards and pulled me to the other side of the car. Habang ako ay nanlalamig lang na sumunod sa kanya. The feeling of being kissed by your best friend? Definitely, awkward... but sweet.

Napailing ako sa sarili. I really need to chase these adjustments we're having. Kailangan ko nang sanayin ang sarili ko dito.

"May gusto ka bang puntahan? Mall? Or do you want to head back to the apartment?" He asked me as I sat down the passenger's seat. Nanatili siya sa tabi ko at humilig sa nakabukas na pintuan.

"Wala akong pera, Rhysand..." Paalala ko sa kanya. "And I'm sure my parents freezed all my accounts. Hindi na ako makakapag-withdraw. And I know you. Sa tuwing magma-mall tayo ay parati kang may binibili. Tumatagal ka pa sa pagpili... You should stop spending so much, you know?"

He just nodded then sighed. "I've been constantly saving. But if not in the mall, do you prefer somewhere else? Saan mo gustong pumunta?"

I suddenly remembered the jar that Ashen gave me, and its instructions. Napangisi ako nang may naisip. I opened my bag to check if I really brought it with me and forunately enough, it was there. Dinala ko talaga ito kung sakaling magkita kami ni Ashen sa apartment building... He might've wanted this back after hearing from me, but after our talk this morning...

"We'll visit my sisters just like you said this morning. Pwede ba nating gawin yun, Rhy?"

Tumingin siya sa kanyang relo bago kumunot ang noo roon. He glanced at the sky as well which are now a little bit dim. "Sa tingin mo nasa school pa sa ganitong oras? What time do your parents pick them up?"

Umiling-iling ako. "Sinusundo sila ng driver. Sa schedule ni Calli, 4pm yung uwian nila. But I don't know want time do they usually got home. Madalas kasi ay diretso tayo sa resto... Hindi ko na sila naaabangan sa bahay..."

"You have a family driver and everyone's been fetched from school except for you? Hindi ko alam 'to, ah." He folded his arms in front of me.

Napaiwas agad ako ng tingin. I honestly have no intention of telling him that. Dahil mas kailangan naman ng mga kapatid ko na may nagda-drive sa kanila pauwi. At isa pa, nasanay naman na ako na nagco-commute lang o naglalakad.

"It's no big deal." I murmured then glanced at the sky. "Pero sa tingin ko rin ay... hindi na natin sila maaabutan." Napabuntong-hininga ako at mabilis na binalot ng lungkot. Sinubukan kong huwag nalang isipan ito dahil may bukas pa naman. We could go there in a much earlier time.

"Hey..." Rhysand grabbed my hand.

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kanya. Umalis siya sa pagkakasandal sa pinto ng sasakyan at lumapit sa akin. He glanced at our hands on my lap before bringing them towards his lips. Kumunot ang noo ko nang bigla nalang siyang ngumisi. "We could sneak in to your house later. Pwedeng-pwede 'yun. We could enter through your room or one of your sister's so you can be with them. Kunin mo na rin lahat ng gamit mo roon."