Go Through The Spark (Red String Series #1)

Chapter 14

I sighed. "Masakit ba 'to, Koji?" Referring to those cuts on his wrist, the color of his skin makes it more visible.

He looked straight at me with an expression that I couldn't quite explain, resembling fear or shyness, mixed with nervousness. Despite his apprehension, he continued to gaze directly at me, unwavering.

"M-Medyo lang." Kumurap s'ya at mabilis na hinatak ang kamay na ipinatong n'ya naman sa hita n'ya.

Tumango nalang din ako at napalunok habang hindi alam kung saan titingin, sa namumula n'ya bang tainga, o sa kamay n'yang pinaglaruan ulit 'yung hair tie.

Now i realized, Koji is a fidgety person. Kailangan may nahahawakan s'ya kapag kinakabahan o nahihiya, para hindi n'ya kinukusot ang pants o t-shirt n'ya. I hope i realized that earlier, buti nalang binilhan s'ya ng hair tie ni Drei.

"Huwag mo na uulitin, ha." I softly spoke and moistened my lips, resting my elbow on my thigh as I pursued his gaze that he was trying to evade.

I gently reached for his hand again, which he allowed me to take this time, but his head remained turned away, refusing to show any reaction.

"I may not know what troubles you have at home, Koji," Halos ibulong ko na iyon sakaniya para lang maging kalmado ang tono, gusto ko maramdaman n'ya na safe s'ya saakin.

"But I am willing to wait." I tilted my head as i was trying to look at his eyes again.

"I am willing to wait for you to tell me. I will wait until you are comfortable enough to open up to me." Napalunok ako habang hawak ang kamay n'ya. Hinihintay ang reaksyon n'ya at baka itaboy n'ya ako, pero mas madali parin 'to, mas madali ang dahan-dahan.

Ayaw ko mag madali, ayaw kong umamin agad. Gusto kong maging kumportable muna s'ya saakin, saamin. Gaya ng sabi ni Math, alagaan muna daw namin. Baka lumayo kapag nalaman n'yang..

Gusto ko s'ya.

"Are you... okay with that?" I asked as I press his hands with gentleness.

I leaned in closer to him, attempting to meet his gaze once more, and that's when I heard him sniffle. My eyes widened, and I tilted my head, hoping that he would turn to face me.

Is he crying?

"Koji?" I calmly called his name, making the sound more louder so i quickly caressed his cheeks, but before i could touch him he already turned towards me, with his eyes closed and his tears freely flowing down his red cheeks.

He's crying. A silent cry that makes my heart ache.

"Why are you crying?" Tanong ko habang pinupunasan ang luha sa pisnge n'ya, nakita ko pang kinagat n'ya ang pang-ibabang labi para lang walang lumabas na tunog sa bibig n'ya.

Tangina. Hindi ko kayang makita 'to, nakakagulat pa rin sa totoo lang. Gustong-gusto kong itanong sakaniya lahat, as in lahat. Kung bakit ganito? Kung bakit kailangan n'yang saktan ang sarili n'ya?

Inilapit ko ang katawan ko sakaniya. "I'm here-"

At niyakap n'ya ako agad sa leeg, sobrang higpit noon na ikinagulat ko. Despite of being surprised, I gently stroked his back while my other hand is patting the back of his head.

I'm fucking hurt, because he's hurt.

I know I can't bear to hear him cry, but the silent cry make my heart break even more. I know it feels lighter when he is able to let out his voice not just tears and sniffle.

"Koji?" I called him again. "Tell me, who hurt you?"

I felt the tightness of his embrace, causing my hand to slide to his waist, which I also hugged. He trembled, and I could hear his soft sobbing that almost broke my heart into pieces.