Freezing His Pain (Japan Series #3)

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

The idiom "actions speak louder than words" has become a fundamental sentiment to several individuals. Well, actions do speak louder than words, but words uttered will always be clearer than actions expressed.

The interpretation we obtain through perception of actions is what we call speculation. While the one that is obtained from an articulation is called clarification. And there's a big difference between the two.

Namumuo ang kutob sa akin sa tuwing pinipilit intindihin ang mga ikinikilos ni Dan. I presume that he actually has romantic affection toward me because that's what he manifests. But I couldn't consider the presumption as a fact yet for I still don't hear anything from him.

I don't want to construct ideas from mere actions. Maniniwala lang ako kung maririning ko mismo sa kaniya ang mga salita.

"Viene."

Noong nakaraang Lunes ay nakaupo kami sa harapan ng building nila at naghihintay kila Kuya. It was the first day of the midterm examination week. Nauna na naman siyang natapos magsagot kaya't kaming dalawa ulit ang magkasama.

"What?" masungit kong balik.

I didn't take my eyes off my journal. I kept writing youtube content ideas on it while sensing his stares at me. Iyan tuloy, imbes na 'routine' ay 'rattan' ang nasulat ko. I quickly erased it using a correction tape.

I recalled his spam messages last night in Messenger that I ignored. I thought he's gonna talk about that but he said something different that left me speechless and overwhelmed.

"Crush na crush na crush kita," he said in a low voice, almost a whisper.

My hand literally stopped moving the moment I processed the words he uttered, heart constricting in arrant nervousness. My face started to redden, too, as I tried my best to not eye him.

What the hell? Is he confessing to me now?

So what, Viene? What's with the anxiety? Aren't you used to this? Si Dan lang 'yan, ano'ng kinanginginig mo riyan?

"By Tweens of Pop," dugtong nito at humalakhak nang pagkalakas-lakas.

Mabilis ang paglipad ng tingin ko sa kaniya. I was welcomed by his squeezed eyes, crystalline tears on its sides due to drastic laughter. Unti-unti, humanay ang maraming linya sa noo ko.

"Crush by Tweens of Pop," untag niya makalipas ng ilang segundo, tone is still tinted with amusement.

"Alam mo ba? Sino'ng nagsabi na crush ko siya? 'Di ko sinabi... Alam ba n'ya ang aking feelings? Alam ko na sa akin, s'ya'y may pagtingin..."

When he started strumming the guitar and singing a familiar song, I eventually realized what's happening. Kasabay ng paglaho ng kalituhan sa akin ay paglaho ng natitirang dignidad na mayroon ako. I then inwardly cursed myself for thinking that he was attempting to admit his feelings for me when in fact, he was merely introducing a song!

I shut my eyes in absolute shame. Para akong kahihiyan na tinubuan ng katawan sa lagay ko ngayon.

Hindi pa nakakatulong ang ginawa niyang pagtawa kanina. Was my stupefaction that obvious? Nahalata ba niya ang pagkakahulog ko sa bitag? Damn! I looked like a fool for sure!

"Pa'no naman ang aking puso? Damdamin n'ya ay nakatago... Pa'no mo ba 'to malalaman? Gano'ng 'di mo naman ako tinitignan..." Then he paused.

Five... ten... fifteen seconds...

Why did he pause?

I opened my eyes due to curiosity but paid no heed of the man beside. I furrowed my eyebrows at my journal as I sensed the audacious stares thrown at me.