Paper Planes (Sandejas Siblings: Companion Book)

Kabanata 22

Kabanata 22

NAKAKAHIYA AKO.

Habang kumakain ay mabilis ang kabog ng puso ko.

Jer brought me lunch, a healthy one...very likely his type of lunch for me. Gulay and meat, tapos may fresh orange juice and cake for my dessert.

He was silently watching me eat, tahimik lang siyang nakaupo sa tabi ko. He was leaning on the counter, his arms on the table.

"Kain?" I offered him my foods and he smiled a bit and shook his head.

"I'm fine. Busog na akong panoorin ka," he gave me a lopsided smile.

Ikalma mo 'yang kalabog ng puso mo, Leona! Subukan mo lang magwala sa harap ni Jer!

Ngumuso ako at sumimsim ng juice bago siya sulyapan.

"Kumusta meeting?" I asked.

"Good, it was a quick one." He said and I nodded, pasimpleng sumulyap sa orasan pabalik sa kanya.

"Eh, bakit late ka dumating?" I asked him nonchalantly. He froze.

Napakurap naman ako at mas dumami ang simsim sa juice na hawak.

"N-Not that I am waiting for you..." paliwanag ko.

His lip twitched, napailing at pumahalumbaba at sumulyap sa akin.

"Before I went to the meeting, pumunta akong talyer para sa sasakyan n'yo...then sa meeting."

"Hmm," I nodded.

"Then, I brought you lunch. Naghanap pa ako kung saan makakabili niyan since, ang malapit lang dito ay fast food."

"I can eat fast food naman," I said. "Hindi ka na sana nag-abala."

"No. Not on my watch, Lena."

"But...I really do it one kapag walang choice."

"You have a choice when it comes to me. Eat healthier.That isn't good for your health," aniya. "And you're having a pageant, I know you don't wanna be fat so I brought that, sabi no'ng nagtitinda kaunti lang ang calories."

I chuckled, sumulyap ako sa kanya.

"You asked for the calories?" I chuckled.

"Hmm, couldn't remember exactly pero mababa lang," sabat niya at nagkibit-balikat.

My heart thumped, matamis akong napangiti at sumulyap sa kanya.

"Sorry again, Jer." I sighed. "And thank you."

He nodded, a small smile left his lips before he lowered his head and stared at his hands.

Gustong-gusto kong abutin ang kamay niya. I wanted so badly to hug him, to hold hands with him...to kiss him, like before.

Pero hindi p'wede.

He already had a girlfriend, yes, he has.

Kaya hindi na p'wede tapos sinaktan ko pa siya noon.

"Lena?" Napalingon ako at napatayo nang makita ang mga kaibigan ko.

Floyd is with Cecille, kita kong ngumiti sila pagkakita sa akin pero nagulat nang makita ang nasa tabi ko.

"Oh, Ejercito?!" I saw Cecille's mouth parted in shock, napasulyap siya sa akin pero kumurap lang ako at napatikhim.

"What in the world..." she gasped loudly.

"Hey, Cess," Jer greeted her and she almost screamed at that, tinakbo niya ako para yakapin at magbeso bago dumiretso kay Ejercito at hinampas ito.