I Could Fall

Chapter Twenty-Six

Hyon Alexandria Serrano:
Yup. I'm in a salon at SM Aura. Are you still at work?

Ali Santiesteban:
About to go. Can I come to you?

Napasinghap ako at napaayos ng upo.

"Oh. Mahapdi ba?" the staff asked. My eyes raised to his reflected on the mirror. He looked startled because I suddenly moved.

"No. It's okay." I flashed him a reassuring smile.

I hurriedly typed a reply.

Hyon Alexandria Serrano:
Kasama ko si Mommy!

Agad ang naging sagot niya at hindi pa pinansin ang sinabi ko.

Ali Santiesteban:
Which salon?

I hesitated telling him but ended up still giving him the name of the salon. He didn't send a text after that. Hindi ako mapakali sa upuan buong oras at panay ang sulyap sa entrance.

Umuwang na lang ang labi ko nang makita si Ali na papasok ng salon. My back was on the entrance but I can see him perfectly through the mirror.

He's wearing a white long sleeved shirt with mandarin collar. Two buttons were unbottoned. The sleeves were neatly folded to his elbows. It was tucked in his black pants. His white shoes made his outfit look a little casual.

Ali easily found my eyes. The side of his lips raised into an amused smile. I glanced at my mother's direction. Hindi niya pa nakikita si Ali. Abala sa binabasang magazine habang nagpapa-hair treatment.

I thought he was going to walk straight to where I was. He looked away and approached the front desk instead. Hindi ko na siya nakita dahil doon.

It was a after a minute when I saw him again. The receptionist personally assisted him. Nakasunod siya rito pero ang mga mata ay nasa akin hanggang sa nakalapit sila sa upuan sa tabi ko.

What is he doing?

"He'll be with you shortly, Sir," the lady politely and too sweetly said before leaving him.

Hindi ko siya magawang tingnan kaya kinuha ko ang phone para mag-text sa kanya.

Hyon Alexandria Serrano:
What are you doing?

I can hear the chiming of his phone for my text message. Hindi ako tumingin sa kanya. My eyes remained on my screen.

Ali Santiesteban:
Getting a haircut. What haircut do you want on me?

Namula ang pisngi ko sa tanong niya. Bakit ako ang tinatanong niya, e, buhok niya 'yon? And why is he suddenly getting a haircut? I highly doubt this is where he usually goes for it.

Palihim na sumulyap ako sa kanya. His head was slightly bowed. Seryosong nakatingin sa kanyang phone. His side profile was a sight to behold.

I checked his hair. Mahaba na nga ito at makapal. Lalo na ang tuktok. His curls were visible. Hindi ito sobrang kulot. It's just enough to give it volume and texture. It suits him very well. Parang gusto ko tuloy sabihin sa kanya na h'wag siyang magpagupit.

Ali's eyes went to mine. Hindi ko alam kung naramdaman niya ang titig ko o nagtataka lang dahil sa hindi ko pagsagot. He raised a brow at me.

I pouted a bit and quickly returned my gaze on my phone.

Hyon Alexandria Serrano:
Kahit ano naman bagay.

I was expecting an immediate reply but I didn't get any so I brought my eyes back to Ali. Nakatingin siya sa phone kagaya nang kanina. Nakakagat siya sa labi at tinatago ang isang ngiti. Humalakhak si Ali at matapos ay tumingin sa akin. Kumunot ang noo ko sa kanya sa pagtataka. Anong meron?