Serenity

33rd

Sleep well

Kung hindi ko pa narinig ang boses ni Einj ay baka lumalim pa ang halik. Halos gumulong ako sa ilalim ng kama nang may kumatok sa kwarto ni Aki. That was close!

Kaya naman matapos ang araw na yon ay mas naging maingat na kami. Ang totoo nyan, ako lang ata ang nag-iingat. Most of the time, Aki doesn't seem to give a fuck whether we get caught or not!

"Wala ka sa room nyo kanina," aniya sa kabilang linya.

We are having our usual late night call. Naka-pajama na 'ko at nakahiga sa kama. Alam kong si Einj ang sadya niya sa classroom kanina pero mahirap na.

"I know. Umalis talaga 'ko nang makitang paparating ka! Baka kausapin mo pa 'ko at makahalata si Einj!"

This isn't even the first time. Talagang hangga't maaari ay iniiwasan ko ang anumang engkwentro kay Aki tuwing nasa paligid si Einj. Panay nga rin ang tanggi ko tuwing inaaya sa basketball practice. Pinagbigyan ko lang si Einj sa isang game ngunit tumakas din agad pagkatapos.

"I hate this.. Hindi kita masyadong nakikita at nakakasama. When can we even go out and spend more time together?"

It is at times like this when I realize that I'm indeed dating someone younger than me. He straight-up sounded like a high schooler that he is. The thing with Aki, he never hesitates to tell and express how he feels no matter how that would make him look like. Hindi tulad ng ibang lalaki. Other guys only say things that would make them seem cool and impressive. They care about their alter ego so much.

I sighed. "How about we go on a date this weekend? My orgmate told me about this newly opened Bistro in Manila. Chill lang daw ang ambiance at music,"

"Alright.." buntong-hininga niya. "Would it be too much to say I miss you?"

Natigilan ako. May kung anong dumagan sa dibdib. "No.. why would it be?"

"Wala lang.. baka overwhelming na," I heard him heave a breath. "Ewan ko ba.. nagkikita naman tayo pero parang kulang pa rin.. Namimiss pa rin kita.."

I don't think I'll ever get used to how straightforward he is. He's so open and transparent. I've never been with a person like this before. He tells exactly how he feels without knowing na aatakehin na ko sa puso dahil sa mga pinagsasabi niya.

Sa napagkasunduan namin ng gabing iyon ay hindi ko mapigilang manabik sa pagsapit ng Sabado. Like what we agreed upon, we went to Manila to visit the said Bistro. Nagulat lamang kami nang hingan ng ID sa entrance.

"Bawal ang minor, Miss. Strictly eighteen years old and above lang tayo rito," turo ng gwardya sa signboard na ngayon ko lang din napansin. Ako talaga ang pinaliwanagan niya na para bang walang kakayahan si Aki na intindihin ang sinasabi niya.

Apparently, the Bistro was more like a Bar. A chill Bar at that. May mga alcoholic drinks sa loob kaya't may restrictions sila. Sinubukan ko pang gamitin ang convincing powers ko sa bouncer ngunit walang tumalab. Aki was bummed as we walk away from the place.

"I'm sorry.." he sighed. "The date's not turning out the way you wanted,"

"What? No!" I panicked at his dejected tone. "It's fine! It's not like I specifically want to go to that place, anyway. Ayos na sakin kahit saan basta kasama kita,"

I wasn't even trying to cheer him up or sound cheezy! That was just pure honesty. Nahahawa na ata ako sa pagiging expressive niya!

"It sucks to be a minor," he grumpily muttered. "Why was I even born later than you?"