Losing Grounds [Davin & Ninaandrea]

Kabanata 20

“Ano, babayaran ko na lang ‘yong pang-carwash mo rito,” I said and apologized once more.

Levin remained silent as he gently wiped the side of my lips, his focus unwavering as he tended to me. Then, after a moment, I felt my seat slightly reclined beneath me as he carefully adjusted my position, ensuring my comfort before securing my seatbelt.

“Maraming salamat, Levin. Ang bait-bait mo talaga sa akin hindi katulad noong gagong professor natin,” lasing na lasing na sabi ko habang sabay na natatawa at nanghahaba ang nguso.

“Tss,” was his only reply.

The engine roared back into life again as he eased onto the road so slowly, meanwhile, I kept whispering my apologies to him, to which were only met by his subdued groans.

Honestly, the silent treatment he was giving me was quite unusual for someone as bubbly as him. This was not the Levin I had known. O baka galit na galit na talaga siya sa akin ngayon dahil nagpakalasing ako at sinukahan ko pa itong magarang sasakyan niya?

The car fell into a hushed stillness as we traveled the road, the silence stretching into what seemed like an eternity. Eventually, it came to a halt. I slightly opened my eyes to find him walking around the car to reach my side. He opened the door and gathered me up in his arms once more, cradling me as delicately as if I were made of fragile glass.

Naningkit ang mga mata ko at pasimpleng sinulyapan ang pamilyar na dinaraanan niya ngayon, ‘yong daan patungo sa apartment unit ko. A smile broke out my lips knowing that he did not take advantage of me being drunk.

Levin stopped in front of my apartment door, reached something from his pants using his one hand without letting me fall, and fumbled with something, hindi alam kung papaano niya nagawa iyon habang buhat-buhat niya ako.

I slightly panicked thinking what might happen otherwise. If he were another guy, baka kung saan na siguro ako dinala ngayon.

Muli akong napapikit at hindi na pinanuod pa ‘yong ginagawa niya nang biglang umalon muli ang paningin ko na nagpahilo sa akin. The door opened next but the relief was shook away from my body realizing something. 

How did he able to open the door?

“Levin? Papaano mo nabuksan ang pintuan? Saan mo nakuha ‘yong susi?” naguguluhang tanong ko. At kasi ay wala naman akong naaalalang ibinigay ko sa kaniya ‘yong susi ng apartment ko.

He played mute again and it was now starting to irritate me. Ganoon ba siya na sobrang nagagalit sa akin? Naputol na ba ang dila niya?