Bad for You (GU #1)

thirty-eight

Thirty-Eight: Those Words

Kinaumagahan, inagahan ko ang gising para sa pagpunta sa ospital. Ang totoo, hindi na nga talaga ako gaanong nakatulog dahil sa pag-alala sa mga nangyari. Kaya naman maging sa panaginip ko, ang bida pa rin ay si Slade.

A blush formed on my cheeks as I remembered my dream. Ugh. I would not even rate that as PG. I shook my head. Not the right time to think about that, CN. May kailangan ka pang puntahan. At sa pagkaalala na kailangan ko pang puntahan ngayon si Slade, agad akong bumangon para makaligo na at makapag-ayos.

Thirty minutes after, I was already facing the mirror, checking my get-up. At hindi ko naman alam kung bakit ko pa ito ginagawa. For Pete's sake, I was just going to the hospital. Puffing out a breath, I looked for the last time at the mirror and then got my bag.

Palabas na ako ng unit nang matigilan sa doorway nang makita ang hindi ko inaasahang makikitang nandoon. I gaped at him. "What—"

He chuckled, took two long strides towards me then placed a kiss on my forehead. "Good morning, Celestine."

Agad kong naamoy ang toothpaste niyang ginamit, ganoon din yung aftershave niya. I could smell those forever, really. Slade didn't move away but remained standing close to me. Inangat ko ang tingin at nagtama ang mga mata namin. His eyes were glowing and it was my first time to see him that way. Parang ang saya-saya lang niya. And somehow, knowing I was part of why he was happy made my heart swell with happiness, too. Ilang sandali ko pa siyang tinitigan bago ko naalala ang dapat kong itanong. "Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

"Don't you want me here?"

I shook my head instantly. "I didn't mean it that way. Pero, hindi ba't dapat nasa ospital ka?"

"I was discharged, already," he answered. "So, I immediately asked Ty to drive me here so I can see you."

I didn't know how to answer but surely my cheeks knew how to because I felt it heat up. Ugh. Slade seemed to notice it, too. He bit his lip, trying not to laugh as he used his free hand to touch my left cheek. "You're blushing."

Tinapik ko ang kamay niya palayo saka siya sinamaan ng tingin. He chuckled in return. "Won't you invite me inside? Kanina ko pa gustong umupo."

I hesitated as I looked at him. I didn't think it was a good idea to invite him in. I mean it was different now. I mean... I stopped. Okay, CN, why are you even overthinking it? Yeah, right. Bakit nga ba? Wala namang masama kung mag-stay kami sa loob. Tumango na rin ako sa kanya pagkatapos ay itinulak pabukas ang pinto. Nauna na akong naglakad papuntang dulo ng kwarto. Sumunod naman si Slade.

I took a seat on the side of my bed while Slade sat on the couch. He stretched both of his hands and I saw him wince as he moved of his bandaged arm. Doon na ako nagtanong, "How are you feeling?"

"Better than yesterday."

Tumango ako. "How about Mike?"

"He's recovering," sagot niya. "Got to talk to him before I left."

I nodded again at that. Then, silence. I looked at Slade and he looked back. We were like that for some minutes until the side of his lips curled up into a mischievous smile. Nagsalubong ang kilay ko. Anong ibig sabihin ng ngiti nyang 'yan? Suot pa rin ang ngiting yun, tumayo na siya sa sofa at lumapit sa pwesto ko. Ugh. And my insides were getting out of control. Bakit pakiramdam ko mayroong hindi magandang binabalak ang isang 'to?

Slade reached my place but he didn't do anything. Well, not yet. Basta, tumayo lang siya sa harapan ko. Inangat ko ang tingin sa kanya at tinaasan siya ng kilay. He just smirked at my confused face. I was about to ask what he was doing when he started to lean down. Okay. For a moment, I was frozen in place. Hindi agad ako nakareact. Pero bago pa man niya tuluyang mailapit ang mukha, binaba ko na ang tingin.