Zephyr Strings

Simula

"You could've said you didn't want to go with me instead of saying that..." I seriously said and looked at him. "I'm sorry." Sambit ko at tinalikuran na siya.

I sighed and put my backpack on my left shoulder. Tamad kong pinindot ang button ng lift at ngumuso. I couldn't blame him though. He doesn't know anything and it was just his way of telling me that I shouldn't trust him.

Umirap ako sa ere at pumasok na sa loob. I was about to push the ground button when he entered. Natigilan ako nang ilang sandali bago iyon pindutin. I swallowed hard as the silence filled us. Ramdam ko ang paulit-ulit na pag-vibrate ng aking telepono.

I took it out and saw Mom's contact name. Kagat-labi kong pinatay ang phone ko at muli iyong sinilid sa bulsa bago tumulala sa aking boots.

For sure she's fuming mad right now. I could only imagine her usual angry face. If I was there, I was probably being scolded in her office right now.

"Where do you want to go?"

Napaawang ang aking mga labi at gulat na binalingan si Casimir. He's standing behind me with his hands inside his pockets while staring at me. I blinked twice.

"W—What?" I stammered.

He rolled his eyes and looked away. His jaw clenched and I saw his ears reddened.

"Where do you want us to go?" Mas malinaw na niyang tanong ngayon.

I smiled as the lift opened. Napatingin siya sa akin at tumalim ang mga mata nang hilahin ko ang kamay niya mula sa kaniyang bulsa at hinila siya palabas. Maraming tao sa loob ng ospital at napapatingin ang iilan sa amin.

"You don't have to hold my—"

"I want to be happy tonight." Ngiti ko at binalingan siya. "Do you have a girlfriend?"

He scoffed. "I don't have time for that," medyo naiirita niyang sagot.

I smiled more. Hinila ko siya palabas ng ospital at humarap sa kaniya dahilan ng pagtigil niya sa paglakad. He clenched his jaw a bit as he stepped back.

"Let me be your girlfriend for tonight," nakangiting sambit ko.

Gumuhit ang kunot sa kaniyang noo. Ngumuso ako nang bawiin niya ang kamay niya sa akin at tiim-bagang na kinalas ang unang apat na butones ng kaniyang dress shirt.

"No thanks. I have high standards," he said using his natural arrogant voice.

I tilted my head.

"Are you saying that I am not qualified? That I am low enough to reach your standards?" medyo inis kong asik sa kaniya.

He looked at me and I felt my eyes twinkle when he chuckled. I saw how his dimple showed and his fangs peeked. He looks like a hot vampire. I don't think I've seen someone as good-looking as him.

"You said that," nanunuyang sambit niya.

Tumikhim ako. I was a bit taken aback by his chuckles and terrific features. I ran my fingers through my hair and stared at him. His grin vanished and he swerved to being serious as he stared at me.

"Let's don't mind about your high standards. Let's be a couple for tonight. Let's have some party." Wika ko at ngumiti.

"Party?" He frowned.

I smirked and held his hand again. Nagbaba siya ng tingin doon nang ilang saglit bago ibalik ang tingin sa akin. I intertwined our fingers and pulled him. Tinaas ko ang kanang kamay sa paparating na bus patungong Taguig.

"Ludovica–"

"Come on!" Tawa ko at hinila siya papasok sa loob ng bus.

Napatingin ang iilang pasahero sa amin. Nakangisi kong sinulyapan si Casimir na hindi na maipinta ang mukha. Hinila ko siya sa pinakadulo kung saan walang nakaupo kahit isang pasahero. Nauna akong pumuwesto sa tabi ng bintana at pinanood siyang tamad na naupo sa tabi ko.