Chasing Axel Blaze (Mi Amore #2)

16

"I'm sorry," paumanhin nito. "Do I look really out of it?"

Tumango ako at nagsimulang tumayo. "Pahinga ka na! Naabala pa tuloy kita."

My brows creased as I stared at him. Anong problema niya at bakit ayaw niyang sabihin sa'kin? Did he just read some bad news before he left?

Mabilis siyang umiling at lumapit sa akin. "No, I'm sorry...just stay here." He gently held my hand as he stared right into my eyes with those dark and tantalizing eyes of his. Nagpakawala ako ng buntong-hininga bago bumalik sa pwesto. Para siyang nagmamakaawa sa mga titig niya kaya hindi ko talaga siya maiiwan dito.

"May problema ba?" tanong ko at hinawakan din ang kamay niya, hoping it would somehow bring him comfort.

I don't know how I didn't notice before, but because of our close distance, I can clearly tell the bags under his eyes are growing.

Napanguso naman ako ro'n at biglang tinamaan ng hiya. He's taking care of me so well and I'm not even doing anything for him but stay by his side.

Humilig siya sa mesa at pinagsiklop ang kamay namin habang pinaglalaruan niya iyon gamit ang kabilang kamay.

"Aalis lang kami..." mahinang banggit nito. I quickly looked at him with my eyes wide.

"Ha? Saan? Aalis as in lilipat?!" bulyaw ko at akmang aalisin na ang hawak niya sa'kin nang hatakin niya ito pabalik.

He chuckled and played with our hands more that it's already distracting. Ang lambot lambot ng kamay niya!

"For summer," he answered.

Mahina ko siyang hinampas at pinanliitan ng mata. "Summer lang naman pala, e! Anong problema?"

"I don't want to be in Baguio with my relatives..." sagot pa nito. I frowned when he let go of my hand to fix the table as he headed towards the couch, all while I just stared and observed his movements. Bakit pakiramdam ko may hindi pa siya sinasabi?

I continued to follow him with my eyes until he got to the couch and rested his head on my shoulder. Napangiti naman ako sa ginawa niya. Small actions like these are what makes my heart flutter each time.

"Okay lang 'yan, summer lang naman. At least marami kayong magkakasama ro'n!" I beamed.

"I want to be here with you," he softly whispered. "It's only the second week of summer...matagal pa kami."

Hindi ko pinahalata sa kaniya na kahit ako'y hindi ko alam kung bakit ayaw siyang paalisin. I just feel like he's not entirely being honest and I hate that feeling. Ayaw kong pagdudahan siya at baka pag-awayan pa namin iyon.

I mean, he won't find another girl there, right?

"T-That's okay!" I tried to cheer him up, but his emotions are getting to me. Kung ano-ano tuloy ang naiisip ko rin. Why would he look for another girl there? Ang tanga ko naman kung mag-iisip ako ng gano'n!

Kinabukasan, nag-text siya sa akin kung pwede ko raw siya tulungang mag-impake. Kahit nalulungkot man, alam kong marami kaming oras para magsama pero minsan lang sila magsasama ng mga relatives niya. Especially his Dad whom I know is not in good terms with him for reasons I have no clue of.

"Bakit parang do'n ka na titira?!" Malakas na sigaw ko nang makarating ako ro'n, suot lamang ang shorts at isang oversized shirt. I just styled it to look more presentable in front of him because I don't what him to go around thinking I look a little ugly every time we meet.

Hindi nakaalis sa paningin ko ang mabilis niyang pagtago ng kaniyang passport na para bang hindi inaakalang darating ako agad. I squinted, maybe he always brings his passport with him. Wala naman kasi ako no'n kaya hindi ko alam kung lagi ba 'yon dinadala.