Araw-Araw (Playlist Series 1) (On hold)

9

Ashton's P.O.V

'Well that was... Thoughtful,' Did she really think about it that way? I mean, may point nga naman siya na ano bang mawawala sa'kin if I tried to re-discover my passion. Maybe I will, maybe not. I'm also impressed that she actually made sense this time.

"Ano... Dito na lang," Turo niya sa sakayan ng jeep. Medyo tumila na ang ulan at ambon-ambon na lang. But I'm pretty sure it's gonna pour harder later. I just feel it dahil sa mga putol-putol na kulog mula sa kalangitan. I found a space where I can park and decided to stay there.

"You sure?" Sabi ko sa kanya, medyo nag-aalanganin ako na hanggang dito lang siya ihatid. I could drive her straight to her home. Madilim na and I feel unsure about her safety. It's not like I am attached to her or we're friends already. She's still a girl, and letting her go home on her own like this makes me sound like a jerk.

"Okay na ako dito. Next time na lang yung meet the parents. Baka mabigla sila Papa 'pag nakita eh," She assured me at nagawa pa niyang mag-biro. I frowned at her comment. It wasn't funny. Seryoso, dapat ay hindi na siya nag-aaksaya sa taong tulad ko.

'What the hell is she talking about? Meet the parents?' And here I thought she can finally talk to me nang walang halong nonsense. Guess I was wrong. For once, sumagi sa isipan ko na she deserves better. She's way too innocent for me. Alam kong alam na rin niya ang reputasyon ko pero tila wala siyang pakialam dahil ilang linggo na ang nakalipas mula nang mag-'confess' siya pero andito pa rin siya.

Bumaba na siya pero huminto bago niya tuluyang isara ang pinto ng kotse.

"Thank you sa paghatid, Ashton. And good luck sa exams," She gave me a soft smile at nag-pasalamat na din bago niya tuluyang isarado ang pinto. I could barely hear the noise outside, mahina na ang bawat patak ng ulan na tumatama sa bintana ng kotse, and I was left in my own thoughts. I started contemplating whether I should wait for her to ride safely or umalis na lang.

'This rain is not gonna stop anytime soon. Come on, Ashton. Man up. Antayin mo lang naman na makasakay siya sa jeep eh. It's not like susundan mo pa siya sa kanila,' That's it. It took me a good whole minute before deciding. Hihintayin ko na nga lang. I drove to the nearest parking space where she won't be able to see me. Baka kung ano pa isipin nito kapag nakita niya akong inaantay siyang sumakay.

'Tama naman 'tong ginagawa ko, right? What am I even hesitating about?' Pinanuod ko lang si Gwyneth na pumila. The rain has stopped pouring that hard. Malapit-lapit na rin siyang makasakay. Hindi pa naman ganoon kahaba ang pila, probably because kakalabas lang ng ibang students. But during this hour, madalas ay traffic na dahil rush hour. Nakita kong nilabas niya ang phone niya.

'Why is she on her phone? Mahablot pa iyan. Stupid bunny,' I couldn't help but scold this bunny for her stupidity. Ilabas ba naman ang cellphone kung saan matao at pwede mahablot ng snatcher.

Maya't maya pa ay umusad na muli ang pila. Agad naman akong tumigil sa kakasermon kay Gwyneth sa isipan ko at pinag-masdan siyang sumakay sa jeep.

'Okay. Nakasakay na siya. You can drive home now Ashton,' Pumanatag na kahit papano ang isipan ko dahil mukhang ayos naman siyang nakasakay sa jeepney. Just then, nakatanggap ako ng notification. Mula na pala ito kay Gwyn.

Gwyn_Rory sent you a message!

Gwyn_Rory: Salamat sa paghatid crush. See you after midterms. Fighting!