Between All The Almosts (Between Lines #6)

Chapter 6

That hit me in the chest harder than any punch kagabi.

I swallowed. "Ma..."

"Aral ka mabuti," she added. "At kung ano man 'yang balak mo kay Shen, wag mo guluhin masyado."

"Ma—"

Pero ngumiti siya. "Pero pwede ka bumalik pag gusto mo siyang makita."

...

Putangina.

I looked at Merlin. He smirked. "Weak spot mo pala 'yung Shen na 'yon, noh?"

"Hindi ko siya gusto," I said quickly. "Hindi ko siya gusto romantically. Lust lang 'to. Challenge lang. Annoyance lang. Nakaka—"

"Sure," Merlin smirked. "Sabihin mo sa sarili mo ulit. Mas malakas."

I glared at him. "Tangina mo."

Mama kissed my forehead. "Safe flight, anak."

I climbed into my helicopter, fastened the belt, and put on the headset. As the blades started turning, I caught Mama and Merlin waving.

And as I ascended, I caught one thought circling my head—

Babalikan ko siya. Kahit anong mangyari.

Shen Rivera wasn't leaving my system anytime soon. And honestly?...Hindi ko alam kung gusto ko bang mawala siya.

The moment Manila's skyline came into view beneath the clouds, I thought I'd finally shake him off—Shen, his stupid sleepy face, his attitude problem, the way he said my name like it was an inconvenience.

Pero paglapag ko? Wala. Hindi siya umalis sa utak ko. Putangina talaga.

I parked the helicopter sa private helipad ng bahay namin and took the elevator down to the main house. Pagpasok ko, the silence punched me in the chest. Kasi wala si Mari, wala yung ingay ng Manila, wala yung ingay ng bar—At wala siya.

My phone buzzed. Group chat with Slate, Codial, Draco, and the others.

SLATE: brooo balik ka na daw? may chismis nanaman—huy ooopppss bawal na kami mag joke sken kasi hero ka na HAHAHAHA

CODIAL: baka maano mo kami, baka masapak kami ng mga turista

DRACO: di ko gets bakit pinapatulan mo mga gagong yun kagabi

SID: send pic ng mukha mo. bruise reveal.

I threw my phone on the couch. Ayoko na ng ingay nila today.

I showered, changed into something comfortable, and tried to sleep. Pero the moment I closed my eyes, ang pumasok sa isip ko is—Shen scoffing at me.

Shen grabbing my wrist.

Shen asking me in that irritated voice, "Are you really trying to kill yourself?"

Shen's fingers around my wrist... mainit... matigas ang hawak...Tangina.

I shot up from bed, irritated. "What the hell is this?"

It's been years since may nakaapekto sa'kin ng ganito. Hindi ako ganito. Hindi ako lumalandi tapos nagiging—Obsessed?

No. Hell no.

I walked to the fridge, got a cold can of soda, and leaned against the counter.

Why him? Of all people. He's rude.  Masungit. Hindi accommodating. Laging galit sa mundo. Parang allergic sa tao. Doesn't want attention. But the problem? I want his attention.

And the memory of him yesterday—his forehead creasing when I told him I knew he liked sweets—hindi ko makalimutan.

Damn it.