When I Chase (When #1)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

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Grant stopped the car on a vacant parking space. He adjusted the gear stick and unbuckled his seatbelt. Huminga siya nang malalim. Nanatili naman akong tahimik.

Tumikhim siya at kinalas ang seatbelt bago lumabas ng kotse. Tinanggal ko na rin ang seatbelt na suot ko. I didn't open the door for myself like I usually do. I waited for him to do it.

Grant likes opening doors for me. I don't know if he's naturally a gentleman or he picks who to be gentle with. Nevertheless, it makes me feel precious—kaya kahit na kaya kong mag-isa ay hinahayaan ko siya. I'm not going to deny him the little gesture.

Lumabas agad ako nang buksan na ni Grant ang pinto. He closed the door before getting his small suitcase at the backseat. Pinanuod ko siya hanggang sa isara niya ang pinto at tumingin sa akin.

"I'll go now." he murmured, looking somberly at my whole face.

The pit of my stomach suddenly felt heavy. There's a subtle burning sensation in the middle of my chest. I bit my lip to hide my deep frown.

Grant is leaving for New York. It's a work-related travel. Hindi niya ako inayang sumama sa kanya, he said it's because I still have school. Tama naman siya. Malapit na ang midterms namin. Paniguradong maghahabol ng quiz ang mga professors.

Tatlong araw lang naman siya doon pero hindi ko maiwasan ang hindi malungkot. I got so used to seeing and spending time with him everyday. Spending the next days apart will fill odd.

"Don't look at me like that." Grant quietly said, his face dark.

My forehead creased. "Like what?"

"Like you don't want me to leave." he hoarsely said.

My eyes slightly widened. "Wala naman akong sinabi."

I really didn't want him to leave. But I don't wanna be clingy and seem immature.

"You want me to leave, then?" he cocked an eyebrow.

"Ayaw ko syempre." wala sa sarili na sagot ko. Nakuha ko pang umirap.

Nang may gumuhit ang gwapong ngiti sa mukha ni Grant ay tsaka lang na-proseso ng utak ko ang sinabi ko sa kanya. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at napatakip sa bibig.

Lumapad ang ngiti sa mukha ni Grant hanggang sa humalakhak na ito. Pinagtatawanan niya ako! Naramdaman ko ang pag-init ng paniguradong namumula kong mukha. God...

Umiling si Grant at inabot ang braso ko para hilahin palapit sa kanya. Ipinulupot niya ang mga braso sa katawan ko at niyakap nang mahigpit na mahigpit. Iyong parang nanggigigil. Para akong mapipisa sa higpit pero gusto ko ang pakiramdam ng yakap-yakap ni Grant... I like feeling his warm body against mine.

"Angel, you're so cute." he grunted, like the idea frustrates him a lot.

"Thank you." nakangiting sabi ko habang nakasubsob pa rin sa dibdib niya.

"I really have to go now." he mumbled against the side of my head. He unwrapped his arms from my waist.

Grant cupped my cheek. He tipped my head up, making me face him and look at him straight in the eyes. His eyes carefully scanned my face, like he's trying to imprint every detail in his mind.