Zephyr Strings

Kabanata 8

"Cohen is louder and more annoying. So... inis ka rin sa kaniya?" I raised a brow.

"Are you done? Let's leave." He put the hood back on his head and took his leather wallet out.

Ngumiwi ako at pinanood siyang maglabas ng blue bill. He looked around and raised his hand. Lumapit sa amin ang waiter na mayroon nang receipt ngayon. Seryoso iyong dinungaw ni Casimir bago ilapag ang pera.

I expelled a sigh.

"You're lame," lumabas iyon sa bibig ko.

Napatingin siya sa akin, kunot na ang noo at suplado ang mga mata. I protruded my lips as I slowly stood up. I can't even have a good and normal conversation with him. Ayaw niya ba sa akin? Mabait pa naman akong kaibigan.

"What? Do you want anything else?" his tone was serious.

And he even took it the other way.

"Wala na, Escareal. Salamat sa soba noodles, bumalik na ako sa ulirat." Sarkastikong sabi ko at kinuha ang bag sa upuan.

Saglit siyang tumitig sa akin bago tumingin sa waiter at tumayo. I watched him put the wallet in his trousers' pocket. He's so tall that I can't help but slope my neck to see him properly.

Humihikab na ako nang makapasok sa loob ng kaniyang Mazda. Nilingon ko siya nang pumasok ito sa driver's seat.

"Nagkausap ba kayo ni Cohen kanina?" tanong ko nang maalala ang sinabi ni Indra.

Casimir drove out of the vicinity. Pinasada niya ang mga daliri sa buhok dahilan ng pagkakatanggal ng hood sa kaniyang ulo. His nose was as straight as an arrow. That perfectly angled jaw, like it could cut anything, just looked immaculate. The lazy wave of his dark, brown hair made him look even more attractive.

Inangat ko ang tingin sa mapupungay niyang mga mata. Even though he always appears sleep-deprived, his eyes are just so perfect. Their perfect shades of green and brown always look great on him, especially in direct sunlight. Those dark and thick lashes and water lines he possesses are the features I usually marvel at in people. His thick brows, which always meet every time he's irritated or thinking, suit him very well.

"We didn't see each other today," even his words are fucking expensive.

I looked away. Pinanood ko ang mga nakakasalubong naming sasakyan. Some lights from the cars passed through my face as I thought about Cohen. I texted him earlier, but I got no reply.

"Bakit? May kailangan ka sa kaniya?" hindi ko inaasahang magsasalita muli si Casimir.

Nakangisi na akong bumaling sa kaniya. He's looking straight at the road with lethargic but solemn eyes. Nakasandal ang kaliwa niyang siko sa bintana ng pintuan at nasa sentido ang iilang nakasarang daliri.

"Wala naman. It's just strange he's silent for a day," I reasoned while watching him.

His eyes became even more visible when some headlights passed through his immaculately handsome face. Bahagyang nakaawang ang kaniyang mga labi.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin bago pa madala sa kaguwapuhan niya. I closed my eyes to stop myself from ogling too much. I have to remember that I'm just tipsy right now, and he's in a relationship with someone.

It's okay to admire his looks. But I have to always remember that he's off limits, and my boundary is being friends with him. Nothing more.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang beses na akong napagbintangan na nang-agaw. All those allegations were untrue. Despite my love of exploration, I always adhere to my values. It is to never take advantage of someone else or destroy one's relationship. And regardless of how I feel, it will remain that way.