What the hell? Why does that sound wrong?
Tinagilid niya ang ulo niya at natatawang tumingin sakin. "So you're mad because... you think I'm not serious?"
Hindi ako sumagot. Hindi ko alam kung bakit.
"I thought of the most mature way possible to confess to you," he told me. His cold eyes now look soft and fragile. "I want you to see me in a different way... not just some 15-year-old guy stuttering because he's nervous around his crush."
"What do you mean? See you as?"
He smirked. "A potential boyfriend, maybe?"
Halos masamid ako. Buti nalang talaga at naka-inom kami pareho. His confidence is way too high when he's drunk.
"This is not the alcohol. I like you," he said. "Can you just... let me?"
I know I should walk away. It's easier to deal with my drunk blockmates and more vodka inside the bar than with Marco Limjuaco, a mysterious guy who's comfortable to be with that I found myself subconsciously smiling every time I'm with him.
"I won't court you or do anything sweet... I know you don't like that," he added. "I'll do it in my own way."
I know leaving and shrugging off everything he said was the easier choice but I don't know why I just smiled at him, not thinking about everything that could happen in the future.
"There's nothing to be afraid of anyway," he added with a smirk. "Unless... you already like me?"
I thought to myself; I won't fall in love anyway.
So there, I stood. Smiling.
"Bahala ka na nga," I told him. "Basta walang sisihan pag nasaktan ka ah?"
He smiled back. Hindi siya sumagot.
"Shoti!" Tawag ng lasing niyang pinsan na si Yuri.
Napatingin kami pareho sa likod niya. There stood the rest of his cousins, Alfonso and Dos. Lahat pala sila ay nandito? Except kay Samuel. Maybe it's because he's 14. Sobra sobra na yun!
Napatingin din sila samin dalawa. Alfonso smiled slyly while Dos just raised his eyebrow at Marco after looking at me. Hindi ko makita ang reaction ni Marco dahil nakatalikod siya sakin.
Namumulang mabuti ang mukha ni Yuri Limjuaco. "Hi D! Alam mo ba... natalo to sa pustahan—"
"SHHH!!!" Agad na takip ni Alfonso sa bibig nito. Hinawakan naman agad ni Dos ang kamay ni Yuri.
Marco looked at me and bit his lip. Binalik niya ang tingin niya sa pinsan at nag-simula mag Mandarin.
".... and you're fucking drunk." Iyon lang ang naintindihan ko. Lasing lang na humagikgik si Yuri at kumaway ulit sakin.
"Let him be. Yixing's gonna pick us up anyway," sabi ni Dos habang nagsisindi ng sigarilyo. Damn! These minors!
"They will kill us if we drive like this," sabi ni Alfonso. "Yuri damn! Napaka-hina mo naman uminom!"
Tinayo niya ng ayos ang pinsan dahil muntik na sila matumba. Dos continued smoking, while Marco walked towards me.
Nahihilo ako ulit at nakita niya yon. Hinawakan niya ako sa siko. "You okay?"
Tumango ako. "Umeepekto na yung alak."
He smiled. "Let's get you home then?"
"No! You can't drive under the influence," inis kong sabi.
Tinignan niya ang phone. Bago pa siya makasagot ay biglang lumapit ang dalawa niyang lasing na pinsan samin.
"Are you guys dating?" Tanong ni Alfonso.
Chapter 35
Start from the beginning
