Are We on the Same Page?

11: Decision

I can't be mistaken. It's clearly past three in the morning. Did he just misdial his phone? I just stared at my phone. Halos manginig ang mga daliri ko habang tinutunton ang screen ng phone ko. Should I accept or reject?

Marahan akong napapikit at saka pinindot ang reject button. Agad kong ini-off ang phone ko saka mabilis na uminom muli ng beer. Marahil napansin ng tatlo kong kasama ang pagkabalisa ko kaya nanahimik na naman sila.

"Something wrong?" Theo asked.

Umiling ako bilang tugon. Sa loob-loob ko man ay nagwawala na ang puso ko, hindi ko iyon masabi. What's happening to me? Why does he affect me this much?

"Oohh, someone commented on our photos," Kylie exclaimed while looking at me. Sina Theo at Kenzie naman ay naging abala sa pagtingin sa sari-sarili nilang mga cellphone.

Dahil si Theo ang pinakamalapit sa'kin ay sapilitan kong kinuha ang phone niya. Tiningnan ko kung ano ba ang pinagsasasabi ni Kylie. Wala naman siyang reklamo.

everetterue @alexa.of.rivia where are you? ANSWER YOUR PHONE.

Jusme! Gusto kong tumago sa ilalim ng lamesa. Ano ba'ng naisipan ni Rue? Bakit siya nag-comment ng ganoon?

Silang tatlo ay nakatingin lang sa'kin na tila naghihintay na magpaliwanag ako. I took a deep breath and took my phone out. I switched it on and waited for a few seconds saka ako nagsalita, "Nagkaroon lang kami ng misunderstanding," which is half-truth. "Theo knows him. He's my illustrator." Theo just shrugged and grabbed a whole bottle of beer. Hindi siya nagsalita pagkatapos.

"Okay, then..." Kylie said. Tumayo siya at pumunta sa kusina. "I'll help her," bulong ni Kenzie at saka dali-daling sumunod sa kapatid sa kusina.

Hindi ko na muna sinilip ang phone ko. Nakatitig lang ako sa lamesa. I cleared my throat, ready to say something... kasi feeling ko ang tahimik namin kahit na may music naman.

"I think he likes you," seryosong sabi ni Theo saka muling lumaklak ng beer na para bang juice lang ito.

"What? No, he doesn't." Sa sinabi niyang 'yon ay bumilis ang kabog ng dibdib ko na kanina ko pang pilit di pinapansin.

He faced me, then he smiled. "You're too adorable. Who wouldn't dare to fall for you?"

"Let's clear things up, okay? He doesn't like me. He has a girlfriend. And gosh, I'm too old for him!" medyo napalakas yata ang boses ko dahil natigilan siya.

"I'm a bit disappointed. You're making it obvious..." he smiled mischievously.

"Ang alin?" nagtatakang tanong ko.

"Nothing," he said and pinched my nose lightly.

I pouted kasi nakakahiya 'yong ginawa niya. Napahawak tuloy ako sa ilong ko—baka mamaya oily na pala ang skin ko! Shocks! Nakakahiya!

I grabbed my glass and prepared to drink once again. But... he took the glass away... and...

He hugged me.

Theo is hugging me.

My body froze. I can't speak nor move. Kahit paghinga ko ay pigil-pigil ko na rin. Nararamdaman ko ang bawat paghinga niya pati na rin ang pagtibok ng puso niya. It's beating fast—just like mine.

"Theo..." finally, may lumabas ding tinig sa bibig ko.

"Since we're both drunk, I have the courage to tell you this..." He paused. "Can I at least say that I like you? I like you, Alex. Dang! I'm afraid I'm falling even more every second that pass. I'm sorry."