Kapit Bitaw

Chapter 29

"Me?"

"Oo. Sino ka?"

Ibinaling ko ang tingin ko sa dalawa. The tension was suffocating. Tuloy pa rin ang lakad ng bawat tao sa paligid namin. It was only us who stopped. I cleared my throat and moved to Julian's side as I took advantage of the situation and removed my hand off of Erik's grip.

"Julian, this is Erik. A surgeon. Erik, si Julian..." I said, holding Julian's arm. "...my boyfriend."

Walang nagsalita. Kumapit ako sa bisig ni Julian at inayos ang bag na nasa kabilang gilid ko. "Aalis na kami. Bye!"

We walked papunta sa Wendy's. I could tell that Julian was silently curious but he didn't ask. He didn't pry. Alam kong malaki ang tiwala niya sa akin kasi kahit naka-kabit na ang kamay ng isang lalaki sa akin, hindi pa rin niya ako kinuwekwestiyon.

"Order mo?" tanong niya.

"1 piece Salisbury Steak t'saka iced tea. Ah, ta's upsize mo na yung fries para maging large." sabi ko habang hinahalungkat ang wallet ko. Hirap akong kumuha ng pera dahil puro resibo nandoon. Ewan ko ba bakit ko tinatago ang mga 'yon. 'Di ko din naman binubuklat.

Kinuha ni Julian ang ambag ko at pumila. As usual, I found us a table to eat in.

I got the oil control wipes from my bag and started to wipe my face as Julian was ordering. Grabe, ang oily ko talaga. Puwede na siguro ako magpatayo ng oil factory sa dami ng oil mula sa mukha ko. Dumating si Julian sa table na may dalang tray. Inilagay niya ang meal ko sa harapan ko at isinantabi ang tray. We proceeded to eating...

I tried to make small talk. Emphasis on tried. Medyo... ano siya. Ewan ko. Maybe it's because of Erik.

"Hey." I said softly.

Binaba ko ang kutsara't tinidor ko at inilapat ang kamay ko sa kamay niya. He looked at me. "Wala 'yon." I said. Wala naman talaga eh. I couldn't care less about Erik. To me, he's just one out of many bachelors my mom and dad has agreed to.

Umiling siya. "I'm not saying anything." he raised his hands up slightly in surrender.

"But you were thinking it."

"Liana-"

"No. 'Di kita sisisihin. It's fine. I just want to give you assurance since baka iba ang tingin mo doon. Ikaw lang naman gusto ko 'e."

Nakita kong namula ang mukha niya. I smiled in success. Dali daling pakiligin. "Ikaw lang naman ang para sa akin."

Tumingin siya sa pagkain niya. "Let's eat." he said while trying to fight a smile.

I gave him a teasing smile and nodded.

We walked towards the parking of PGH. Kinuha ni Julian ang maliit kong bag at kinarga iyon. I placed my hands on my bag as we slowly strolled on the sidewalk. Neither one of us wanting to speed up the time we have.

I looked up the stars. Julian took my hand and intertwined it to his. He always does that. Kada-lalakad nalang kami, iyon nalang ang ginagawa niya. I liked it. Lalo na kapag nilalamigan ako. It was like his warmth was enveloping my cold hands.