Flickered By Innocence (Crossing The Line Series 4) ✅

F.B.I-18

The girl rolled her eyes at me before releasing her tight grip on Gellian's hand. She walked away with a frown on her face. My forehead is creased while looking at her barging out of the scene. I averted my gaze from Gellian when he held my hand and began to cry on it.

"Zein, I'm sorry." He whimpered.

Napatingin sa direksyon namin ang ilang estudyante. Lumapit ako kay Gellian at hinaplos ang kanyang likod nung magsimula siyang humagulgol. Hindi ko alam kung bakit siya humihingi ng tawad pero kung may nagawa man siyang kasalanan ay handa ko siyang patawarin. Ayokong tuluyan na masira ang aming pagkakaibigan. Kasama ko na siya simula pagkabata ay hindi ko kakayanin na mawalay sa kanya.

"You look like a crying baby," I quipped, which made him chuckle.

My mouth hung open when the spotlight focused on me and Gellian. Some of the crowd gave us a cheer when the song changed into a sweet and gentle rhythm. Gellian squeezed my hand to attract my attention.

"C-can you be my... first and last dance tonight, Zein?" He asked with his puffy eyes.

Natanaw ko sila Kyle, Ezra at Levi na bahagyang lumapit sa akin. Binigyan nila ako nang matamis na ngiti. Maging ang tropa ni Gellian na sina Aaron, Gabriel, Leonard at Roque ay nagawa pa kaming asarin. Nag-aatubili akong tumango kay Gellian kahit na nanginginig ang aking mga tuhod sa sobrang kaba.

The crowd gave us a loud cheer, and even Krisha squealed in excitement when Gellian guided me on the center floor. I chuckled when I noticed Gellian was trembling and he seemed like he didn't know what to do. I just shook my head before I grabbed his hands and put them on my hips. His eyes widened from shock after I placed my hands on his shoulders. His face turned red, and it was very evident because of his bright skin.

"Mahal kita... Zein," He confessed in a very soft tone.

My heart beats so fast and I feel like the whole world stopped after hearing that from him. Gellian's eyes are filled with hope while waiting for my response. I gave him an assuring smile before I spoke.

"Mahal din kita..." His lips parted upon hearing that for me, but a lone tear fell from his eyes when I continued what I was saying.

"...bilang kaibigan. That's how it is, right? All friends should love each other. I love you for being my friend, Gellian."

"Just... forget about what I said, Zein." He wiped his tears with his back hand. "I won't ask for more as long as I have you on my side."

He's lying. I may be slow in understanding another person's expression, but it's very easy for me to read Gellian's. I love him too, and if I could just shout my real feelings for him to the whole world, I would be glad to do so. However, I don't want to risk our friendship that we have had for so many years.

"Zein, bakit kasi pumunta pa tayo dito? Baka hinahanap ka na sa inyo," Gellian informed me when I dragged him inside of a drugstore.

I'm browsing on my phone to search for a specific product. "Just trust me, okay? I'll just buy something."

"Hmmm... miss, is this available here?" I showed the pharmacist the picture of an ointment that my doctor had prescribed for me before.

Sumilay ang ngiti sa kanyang labi habang pinagmamasdan kaming dalawa ni Gellian. Doon ko lang napansin na kanina pa pala kami magkahawak ng kamay kaya nasa amin ang atensyon ng ilang mamimili. Sinubukan kong bumitaw pero mas hinigpitan ni Gellian ang kapit.

We sat on the bench outside after I bought the wound ointment. Nanny Fe always treats my wounds, so I will try to imitate how she does it to me. Without giving Gellian a heads up, I move my body close to him and gently apply the product to his bruised lips.

"Z-zein, I c-can do it myself." Gellian started stammering.

I looked at his eyes and was mesmerized by his gaze. We were only a few inches away from each other, so I could smell the mint scent on his breath. My hand was trembling, but I managed to apply it to the affected area. I gave him a smack kiss on the lips, which made his eyes widen.

 

"Nanny Fe always gives me a kiss whenever I'm sick, so I'll get better fast."  ani ko habang pinagmamasdan ang namumula niyang mukha.

 

He held my chin and temptedly looked into my eyes. "Z-zein, w-wag mong gagawin sa iba yung g-ginawa mo, okay?"

I pouted my lips. "Bakit? Hindi ba mas mabilis gumaling kapag kini-kiss? One of my dreams is to become a doctor, and I'm planning to kiss all of my patients so they will heal—"

 

He cut me off when he yelled. "No! Hindi ka pwede mag-doctor, Zein."

"Why?" I raised a brow.

Umiwas siya nang tingin. "Kasi baka araw-araw akong magpanggap na may sakit para magamot mo lang."

I chuckled loudly, which made him look at me again. "Gellian, kahit wala kang sakit, handa kitang gamutin."

My arms were abruptly wrapped around his nape when he pulled me close for a hug. His face was resting on my shoulder, and I felt my chest tighten during the moment. I tapped his back when he started crying again. 

"You know what? I believe that you can pass as an actor without even trying. You're such a crybaby, Gellian."

 

He stopped sobbing. "Do you really want me to be an actor, Zein? Are you willing to support me?"

 

I nodded, even though he couldn't see it. "Of course! Remember when you were always there for me to cheer me up? I would also do the same with you. I'm willing to be your number one supporter on any journey that you may take, Gellian."

 

"Ang swerte ko talaga sa 'yo, baby." He whispered in a playful voice.

I released myself from his hug and rolled my eyes in irritation. "Gellian, you know, I hate it when you guys call me baby. I hate you!" 

 

Padabog akong tumayo at lumakad palayo sa kanya. Ang inis ay napalitan nang pagkabigla nung walang pasabi niya akong yakapin mula sa aking likuran. Mariin kong kinagat ang aking ibabang labi para pigilan ang ngiti. Ang aking puso'y napakabilis ng tibok na wari mo'y tambol ang lakas.

Gellian kissed my temple. "Sorry na, Zein. I'm just teasing you because you look cuter when you're angry. I swear, you are the cutest in my eyes."

My tilted head was towards him. "T-talaga? Do you think I'm cuter than Ate Krisha?"

"Are you... jealous of her?"

 

"Me?! J-jealous?" I scoffed. "Why would I be jealous of her? I know I'm cuter than she is."

He removed his suit and put it on my shoulders. "Let's go! I'll take you home, my baby."

 

 

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