Every Flight Counts

Kabanata 37

Work

"Let's go?"

Tumayo ako nang makitang lumabas na sa kitchen ng Bright Bite si Zaid. Alas - singko pa lang ng hapon pero ito talaga ang usual na oras ng uwi niya kapag wala namang ibang pinagkakaabalahan.

He nodded with a small smile. I was quite taken a back when he reached for my hand and intertwined it with his. Lagi niya namang ginagawa pero hindi pa rin ako nasasanay. My heart just won't get used to it. It keeps on reacting erratically everytime he does that.

We walked to my car with me having an uncontrollable smile on my face. The only sad part is that we have to let go of each other's hand because I'll be driving.

He wasn't goofing around during the entire ride towards his place. Which is kinda odd, especially since he actually already went back to his playful self these past few days.

Tuwing sinisilip ko naman siya sa salamin ay wala namang kung ano sa mukha niya. He just looks kinda... sad? I don't know. His eyes just seem like it.

Nang huminto na ang sasakyan sa High Towers ng condominium niya ay inasahan ko ang paggalaw niya. But he didn't. He didn't even bulge nor flinch.

I waited for him to get rid of the seatbelt but still, he didn't. He didn't move an inch. He remained unwavering.

Binaba ko ang mga kamay mula sa manibela papunta sa gilid ko. Nakatuon lang ang tingin ko sa kanya.

Then he sighed. I stiffened when I felt his hands going after my hands. Ang paraan ng pagpasada ng kamay niya sa balat ko hanggang tuluyang mahawakan ang palad ko ay nakakapanindig - balahibo.

I can't believe how this mere moment is affecting me. Zaiden's effect on me is really unbelievable.

I saw him part his lips.

"What time.. is your flight tomorrow?" he gently muttered under his breath. His voice was small.

Saglit pa akong natigilan bago makabawi.

"Ten in the morning.."

His eyes are just darted down to our joined hands. Nakasandal lang siya sa upuan habang nakaganun. He looks so flabby right now.

He nodded slowly... and softly.

He continued playing with my hands quietly. Caressing it. Rubbing it. Fondling it.

May nakikiliting kung ano sa akin. At some point, I'm even finding it hard to breathe already, dammit.

I almost shivered when his eyes went up to me. His gaze found mine. Now we're directly staring at each other already.

His eyes were careful.

"Can you.. stay at my place for a while?" the way he lightly uttered the words sounded too sweet for me.

Now his eyes were hopeful and almost... pleading.

"I'll just.. text your Uncle about it," may munting pagsusumamong sabi niya.

Of course I agreed. He doesn't even have to plead for it.

And so I eventually found myself cuddled on bed with Zaid. Tuckled underneath the sheets, with the right amount of breeze from the aircon and the right amount of warmth from him.