Learn to Love | Aiago Series #1 | ONHOLD

4

4

Sweet.

"Thank you for this, really." I looked at Andro in the eye after reading his letter. "But I really see you only as a friend, nothing more." He was seated right beside me. The building was empty yet I know the news about this will still somehow spread.

Silence spread within us. His honey-like eyes became a shade darker. It seemed scarier yet it draws me to look at it more.

"Kaya nga 'ko nanliligaw, Vienne." Sagot niya sa akin, hindi inaalis ang titig sa akin. "Makukuha rin kita."

"Hindi ka papaatinag, 'no?" I asked. Umiling siya sa akin at ngumiti.

"Hindi ako sumusuko sa pangarap ko. Gaya nga ng sinulat ko, isa ka sa mga pangarap ko."

"Sana marunong ka tumanggap ng denial, Andro. Kapag ayaw, ayaw." I warned.

"I know when to stop, I know to back off when I've crossed the line. Rerespetuhin ko rin naman 'yung desisyon mo." He assured.

"Nagbibiro rin lang ako tuwing sinasabi ko na makukuha rin kita na tila isang materyal na bagay. You are worth more than material things." He said looking at me straight in the eye, I felt my cheeks getting warmer. Damn, am I blushing? He's really good with words!

He wasn't finish yet.

"At pasensiya na kung sa tingin mo ngayon pa lang ay mapilit na 'ko. I know me being attracted to you is not a valid excuse. I'm sorry if it makes you uncomfortable, I'm just really boastful." He smiled, he was somehow telling me that it's one of his flaws.

"Mayabang ako as a person, confident too. Sorry if that bothers you, it's part of the package." Amin niya.

Scam naman pala 'yung hindi niya 'ko titigilan dahil pangarap niya 'ko. Men and their fragile ego. That's a good sign, too. Hindi naman pala mapilit.

He was somehow giving me both red and green flags.

Akala ko rin noong una ay hindi ako nito tatantanan. Mukhang iba ata ang ibig sabihin sa kanya ng 'hindi susukuan'.

At ngayon sa pag-amin niya ng damdamin para sa akin, at pag-amin sa pagkakamali, naiiba nga talaga siya.

Maybe Alijah was right after all?

But still, it's too early to tell.

"Tangina mo, Amirandro! Nasa tapat building natin, bat napadpad ka rito?" His friend, Nico, said. His gaze never leaving Andro's. He looked around and saw me in an instant, malapit lang kasi ako kay Andro.

"Ay, kaya naman pala narito!" Nico teased. "Vienne, ikaw pala. Nico nga pala," naglahad ng kamay ang kaibigan ni Andro sa akin. Kinuha ko iyon at ngumiti sa kanya.

"Pasensiya na sa abala pero putangina naman, Andro! 10 minutes na lang bago next class." His gazed now fixed on Andro again.

"Vacant natin!" Andro answered back and stood up. Sumulyap sa wrist watch niya at halos ilabas ang mata.

"Oo, vacant time natin matatapos na sa sampung minutos, Andro." Sagot ng kaibigan niya habang umiiling. "Pasalamat ka sa 'kin, concerned ako para sa 'yo! Hintayin kita sa kiosk."

Humarap sa akin ngayon si Nico. "Vienne." Tumango siya at ngumiti, ngumiti rin ako kay Nico.

Naglakad na paalis si Nico. Tinatanaw ko siya habang si Andro naman ay nakatitig sa akin.

"Pasensiya na kay Nico." He smiled apologetically. "Una na 'ko, next class ko na." Ngumiti siya sa akin at inayos ang bitbit na backpack. Binalik ko ang ngiti at tinanaw ang kumikinang na mata.