Won't Say I'm In Love (BxB, SHORT STORY/COMPLETED)

Kabanata 22

KABANATA 22

ㅤㅤㅤㅤFOR EASTON and Aaron’s date today, they thought of checking out a famous café just around Angeles. Naisip nya na magandang pumunta sa Sky Garden dahil kung ikukumpara sa ibang café na napuntahan nya, mas romantic naman ang vibe rito. Easton enjoyed the atmosphere in this café, it looked so tranquil aside from being aesthetic and all.

So far, Easton was also enjoying his and Aaron’s date. Although it started off with their usual kumustahan sessions—because they had to have it, or else Easton wouldn’t get so updated in Aaron’s life. Some information was already previously shared via chat, though. But still, Easton wanted to hear these ‘chikas’ from Aaron’s mouth.

Not until his mood dropped.

“Liban doon sa pressure na nararamdaman ko ngayon dahil sa taas ng expectations ng head teacher namin sa ‘kin, wala namang ibang ganap. Nabanggit ko na iyong iba sa chat e,” ani Aaron bago nito kinuha ang in-order na kape’t sumimsim. “Ikaw ba, wala ka bang ikukwento? Kanina ka pa tahimik.”

Easton involuntarily shifted from his position due to the surprise he felt when he realized that Aaron noticed that he wasn’t in the mood to share anything about himself. Nakapagkwento na rin naman kasi siya’t bukod sa mga nasabi nya nitong minsan sa binata, wala siyang maisip na bagong ikukwento.

“Wala ka ba sa mood? Pagod ka ba?” dagdag pa ni Aaron bago siya nito tinapunan ng nag-aalalang tingin. “Kung gano’n, sana sinabi mo kaagad. Mamu-move naman natin ‘tong date natin kung kailan hindi ka drained.”

Hindi naiwasan ni Easton ang mapasinghap nang abutin ni Aaron ang kamay nya’t pagsaklubin ang mga daliri nya. At first, although he was already used to skinship with his boyfriend since he previously initiated some of it, he couldn’t help but stiffen when he felt the warmth of Aaron’s hand against his.

Easton’s eyebrows slightly knitted as he pressed his lips together. It wasn’t new to him if the conflict, fear, and desperation he had been feeling painted itself across his facial expression.

Then, he held Aaron’s hand back—tight, as if he didn’t want to let go of him.

“Ano, gusto mo na ba umuwi?” pag-uusisa ulit ni Aaron nang hindi nya sagutin ang mga unang tanong nito.

Marahan namang umiling si Easton bago nya pilit na nginitian ang binata. “Ayoko. Okay lang ako… pero pwede bang lumipat ka muna sa tabi ko?”

“Huh? Bakit? May masakit ba sa ‘yo?”

“Basta. Ron, please?”

Mataman nilang pinagmasdan ang isa’t isa at bagamat naguguluhan siyang tinititigan ni Aaron, tumango ito kalaunan bago umahon mula sa kinauupuan. Sandali nitong binitawan ang kamay nya nang makalipat sa tabi nya pero sa ilang segundong magkahiwalay sila ng binata, hindi maiwasan ni Easton ang sikipan ng dibdib.

Nitong nakaraan, lalo siyang nababagabag… naaalarma.

Easton felt a sense of relief when Aaron finally occupied the seat beside him. Iniusog pa nito ang upuan malapit sa kanya’t inuusig siyang sumandal dito na siya namang ginawa nya bago siya kumapit sa braso ng binata.

Halos isiksik nya ang sarili kay Aaron, siyang dahilan para muling magtanong si Aaron kung napa’no ba siya.

“Nag-aalala na ‘ko sa ‘yo. Ano, tatawagin ko si kuya Ed para sunduin ka rito?” suhestiyon pa ni Aaron.

Mahina siyang natawa dahil mukhang malapit na mag-panic ang boyfriend nya dahil kanina pa nya hindi ini-entertain ang pag-aalala nito.

“Sorry… I’m alright. Wala akong sakit, okay lang ako. Medyo nawala lang ako sa mood kasi may na-realize ako,” panimula nya bago nya ipinilig ang ulo para tignan ang gwapong mukha ni Aaron. “You were talking about your final demo earlier, no? It made me realize things. I guess I just started to worry from there.”