I don't know how long I've been in Zeno's arms, but he never stopped from rubbing my back and hair in a soothing manner. It helped me calm down a bit. Hindi na ako nanginginig katulad kanina pero may nararamdaman pa rin ako na takot.
I heard a door open which made me jolt and squeeze Zeno's body tighter. The noise sounded like it came from our left side, which meant that one of the studio's doors that has opened. I heard footsteps until it faded, then heard another door open and close.
Zeno sighed and quickly turned our bodies, completely shielding me from whoever's view.
"We need to get you out of here," he softly exclaimed. "Can you walk?"
Tumango ako pero hindi pa rin ako umalis sa pagkakayakap sa kanya. Hindi naman niya ako itinulak at nanatili rin na nakayakap sa akin.
"I want to go home," I mumbled.
His body tensed at that. "Home?"
I nodded. "Kay Summer."
Zeno slowly relaxed. His arms loosened from me a bit. I didn't get at first, but when I did, I felt a slight pang in my heart. He thought I meant Cebu, which meant leaving him again. I wanted to reassure him that I wasn't going anywhere again, but it didn't feel right saying it right now. Not after what just happened and not when I'm still terrified.
Huminga siya nang malalim. "Okay."
I took a few seconds before I finally released Zeno. Nanatili ang tingin ko sa dibdib niya na may kaunting basa dahil sa pag-iyak ko kanina. Hindi ko siya magawang tingnan kaya nanatili lang ganoon ang ayos ko.
Zeno gently cupped my cheek and removed the remnants of tears on my cheeks. It got me conscious kaya tinulungan ko siyang punasan 'yon.
"You brought your scooter, right?" malumanay niyang tanong.
"Nasa loob ng studio yung helmet ko."
"I'll have someone take care of it. I'll take you home."
Hindi 'yon tanong o offer. After stating that, he held my hand and pulled me towards the elevator. Nagpatangay na lang ako sa kanya dahil pakiramdam ko ay lutang pa rin ang utak ko sa pangyayari.
Zeno didn't let go of my hand the whole time. Kahit sa sasakyan ay nakahawak lang siya sa kamay ko. As if he wanted to make a point, that he was by my side and he wasn't going anywhere.
I mindlessly stared outside the window the whole ride. I could feel Zeno's heated gaze brushing my face from time to time, but he didn't say anything.
I thought that he was just driving me home and dropping me off, but he surprised me when he got off the car, locked the car from the outside, and started following behind me. I stared at him, asking him with my eyes instead of using my words.
He nervously licked his lips. "Is it okay if I come in with you?"
I bit my lip, pausing for a few seconds, before finally managing to nod. Nagpatuloy ako sa paglakad at tahimik lang si Zeno na nakasunod sa akin.
Nang makapasok sa loob ng bahay ay hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. At mas lalong hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko kay Zeno.
I excused myself to change into comfortable clothes, to buy myself myself some time while thinking about what was I going to do with Zeno. I just wore my usual extra baggy shirt and sweats for the bottom but I intentionally took longer. I ended up washing my face, too, just to kill some extra time.
It helped. Nahimasmasan naman na ako mula sa nangyari kanina. Being at home and knowing Zeno's outside helped me relax a bit more.
I wanted to believe that I was just being really paranoid. That maybe it was probably just some girl who tried to check the stall—I tried to reason out with myself, just to lessen the fear creeping inside me. But it was so stupid that I couldn't make myself believe that.
