I Could Fall

Chapter Eleven

I shook my head and grinned at him to further prove that I'm really okay. "I'm really fine." I touched my cheek to feel if it's still hot. "See? It's not that hot anymore."

Without any warning, he cupped my other cheek. My eyes widened a bit in surprise. He seemed unfazed by his own move though. Ngumuso siya nang kaonti habang nakatingin sa akin.

Being stared at makes me awkward that I have to look away and transfer my attention to the wide pool. "Ang ganda ng pool niyo. Do you swim everyday?"

I looked at Atticus to anticipate for his answer but he looked away from me and this time, it was his turn to blush. He looked very embarrassed.

"Uh... I don't...know how to swim," he  hesitantly admitted.

My eyes widened in shock. "What? Then last time..."

I suddenly remembered our first meeting at the school's swimming pool—when he fell on the water and he was flailing because I thought he had cramps.

"Yeah..." He was still flushed red.

I didn't want to laugh. It's mean... but... I couldn't stop it from coming out. A giggle escaped from me.

Atticus' face was still a little red, even his ears, but now he's not just simply embarassed but also offended. "Are you laughing at me?"

I covered my mouth to stop myself from laughing at his expense. "I'm sorry... pero kasi..." naputol ang sinasabi ko dahil sa tawa na agad ko namang napigilan. "ang babaw lang nung pool."

Umabot na ng leeg ni Atticus ang pagkapula niya. Hiyang-hiya. "I was nine when Atlas pushed me in a pool as a joke. It was five feet and I didn't know how to swim. I almost drowned if it wasn't for Kuya Ali."

Agad na naglaho ang tuwa ko. It's suddenly not funny anymore after knowing the context. Now I feel like a horrible person.

"I'm sorry," I immediately apologized.

Atticus pursed his lips. He looked away from me. Mukhang nagtatampo sa ginawa kong pagtawa sa kanya. "If... If you're really sorry, you can teach me how to swim."

My forehead creased at his offer. He glanced at me but looked away when he found out that I was looking at him.

"Huh?"

He brought his eyes back to me again. Hindi na namumula at mukhang mas buo na ang loob. "I heard... that you're a swimmer. You can teach me how to swim as an apology for making fun of my traumatic experience."

My lips parted at his unexpected condition for my forgiveness. "You want swimming lessons?"

"Yes," he smugly answered. His arrogance is up and working again.

"Paano?" nagtataka kong sabi.

"Dito. On Saturday. Deal?" he asked.

He wants me back here on Saturday? Ibig sabihin makikita ko ulit si Ali? Pagkatapos ay matutulungan ko pa si Atticus? It sounds like a very good deal.

I bit my lip to resist a smile but it still broke free. I nodded. "Okay. On Saturday."

Bumalik na kami sa loob matapos no'n. Cynthia and Ruth was done eating but they were still at the table. Nagkukwentuhan. Si Dashiel naman ay mag-isa sa counter at kumakain na. Sa kanya kami ni Atticus lumapit.