Tumango ako kay Kuya Maddox. He cupped my face and using his fingers, he wiped all my tears away. So slowly, he planted a feathery kiss on my forehead.
My eyes glistened as he let out a small smile. Naging malikot ang mga mata niya bago tumitig sa akin.
“You can let me down, right?”
Being this close to him made me feel like I’m staring at the night sky. The dots on his eyes look like a pretty constellation of their own. The depth of his brown orbs are illuminated by the light beams behind him.
Tumaas ang mga kilay ko at kabadong nangiti.
“Kuya Maddox?”
I am so aware of how our distance kept closing. His eyes landed on my lips.
Mahina akong nagpakawala ng tawa. I tore myself away from Kuya Maddox and stood up on the patio.
“Uh, sa loob na ulit… baka nandoon na si Tita.”
Kumakaripas akong bumalik sa loob ng pavilion.
That same night, their whole clan decided to stay in the mansion. Nakatakas ako lalo na noong hinatid sina Mama pauwi.
“Achie! Tara rito! Movie night!”
I touch my earrings for some comfort. Nagtama ang tingin namin ni Kuya Maddox na pupuwesto na rin sa tabi ng mga pinsan niya.
I nervously chuckled at Daphne. “I don’t think I can join. Medyo masakit…” turo ko sa ulo ko. “Iidlip lang ako saglit, tingnan ko kung mawawala.”
“It’s okay, Achie. Itulog mo na iyan. Migraine ba o hindi naman? I’ll look for something-”
Agad kong pinigilan si Kuya Maddox na pupunta pa sa kusina.
“Kuya! I’m fine. Tulog lang ang sagot dito. Ayos na! Ayos na. Enjoy kayo,” lingon ko sa magpipinsan at mabilis umakyat sa hagdanan.
Kinaumagahan ay halos lumuhod ako bilang pasasalamat. Wala akong ibang ginawa kun’di ang dumikit kay Belinda.
“Hindi na masakit?” Kuya Maddox started as we’re eating breakfast. Halos lahat ay nagtinginan sa akin.
“H-hindi na.”
“Totoo ba iyon, Achie? O tumatakas ka lang? Pasalamat ka ay napigilan nila akong bulabugin ka ro’n sa kuwarto mo.”
“Totoo nga,” siko ko sa kanya at hindi na nakilahok sa kuwentuhan.
Sa pagliligpit ng mga pinagkainan ay tarantang-taranta rin ako. Agad akong pumuwesto sa lababo para maghugas.
“Just leave it, Achie. Magpahinga ka na ulit.”
My eyes landed at the pile of plates Kuya Maddox is holding. Malumanay niyang inilagay iyon malapit sa akin. I shook my head while not looking at him.
“Ako na rito, Kuya Maddox.”
Namilog ang mga mata ko noong naghanda rin siyang maghugas. Mabilis kong binitawan ang sponge na para bang napaso.
I took a step back.
“Uh, hindi na. Puntahan ko na si Bel…”
We spent some time in the living room. Si Anson ay abala sa VR game niya at humahampas sa hangin. Sumiksik ako kay Bel na nasa sofa.
Sometimes, by accident, I could glance at Kuya Maddox sitting seriously on the chair beside Anson. He’s coaching Anson but he will always find my eyes. Lalo kong pinaliit ang sarili at nagtago kay Belinda.
“Ako naman, huy! Kanina ka pa riyan, Peklo!”
Mabilis kong kinampihan si Anson at pinigilan si Bel na umalis sa tabi ko. But she’s really decided to play.
Nanigas ang buo kong katawan noong balandrang-balandra na ako sa paningin ni Kuya Maddox.
“Achie, may katitimpla akong iced tea ro’n. Inumin mo na at baka maglasang tubig,” sulpot ni Manang.
“Get me some too, Ate Achie,” naging malambing na wika ni Bel.
Nagdalawang-isip pa ako at pasimpleng tumingin sa gilid ko. I felt relieved as Kuya Maddox is busy talking with Anson. Para akong pusa na tumayo at tahimik na tumungo sa kusina.
“Achie, can we talk?”
Muntik ko nang mabitawan ang babasaging pitsel sa gulat. My worst fear came running at me. Inangat ko muli ang itinimpla ni Manang at ipinagwalang-bahala si Kuya Maddox.
“Hindi na masarap ito kapag natunaw yung yelo. Bibigyan ko rin sina Bel at Anson.”
“Iniiwasan mo ba ako?”
Kuya Maddox snatched the pitcher away from me. He slowly moved it away from the countertop. Ngayon ay nakatabi na sa akin at pilit sinisilip ang mukha ko.
“No.”
“Achie, we can talk about what happened-”
“No need, Kuya Maddox.”
“Why there’s not a need?”
“I just know that you wanted so badly to comfort me. Naaawa ka sa akin. You’re driven by my emotions and you probably don’t know what to do.”
“I know what I’m doing. I had the intention to kiss you last night.”
Matapang ko siyang tiningnan ngayon. “Why?”
“I fell in love with you,” he stated without hesitation, blinking, and second thoughts.
Halos malaglag ang panga ko at hindi napakibo. Mas lalo kong hindi kinaya noong inulit at nilinaw niya pa na para bang hindi ko naintindihan.
“I fell in love with you without the intention of doing so, and last night, I decided to take action. I’m sorry if it’s all sudden. But I’m not sorry for feeling this way, Achie.”
My breath hitched for a moment. He really never fails to be honest, direct, and… expressing such genuine emotions with confidence.
Hinabol ko ang paghinga at parang nanlalamig. Bumukas-sara ang bibig ko dahil sa maraming tumatakbo sa isipan.
“Kuya Maddox… a-alam mo ang sagot ko riyan,” may panginginig sa boses ko.
Ilang beses akong umiling at iniwasan ang mga mata niya.
The thought of Miki crosses my mind.
All our memories come flashing back. His antics never fails to make me laugh. His bone-crushing hugs. My confidence booster. Our silly high school experiences. Our breakdowns.
Suddenly, I thought I’m seeing his face vividly. When he’s making jokes. When he’s seriously doing his homework. When he’s hungry. When he’s tired. When he’s mad. Jealous. In pain. And sad.
Umiling-iling ako at bumigat ang dibdib.
Bumalik ang tingin ko kay Kuya Maddox. His shoulders dropped and he tried to get a hold of me.
“Achie…”
Iniwas ko ang mga braso sa kanya. Umatras hanggang sa lagpasan ko siya at tumakbo palabas ng kusina.
It’s always him. Miki’s always my answer.
YOU ARE READING
Seen There, Done That (Sensara Series 1)
RomanceThe thing about Kashina Eve Natividad is you'll never see her struggling. People though, don't realize that just because she appears strong, quiet, and calm doesn't mean she doesn't have much to say. She'll never be your favorite sunshines or sunri...
