Running After The Dusk

24

Halt

"Aren't we dating yet?"

Naramdaman ko ang dahan dahan niyang paglayo kaya napilitan rin akong buksan ang mga mata ko. The sun perfectly hits the whole figure of his face as it emphasizes every corner where moles can be seen. It was such a funny feeling how I find those attractive. Nang magtama ang tingin namin, pinagsalubong niya ang kilay niya at tila walang nagets sa sinabi ko.

Minsan talaga ang hindi ko rin magets sa lalaking to ay yung bigla lang magbabago yung mood niya. For example, a moment ago he was all sweet and romantic - like he doesn’t want to let go any part of my skin tapos makalipas lang ang ilang minuto bumalik nanaman ang nagliliyab niyang kilay na daig pa sa kulay itim ang kapal.

"Did I ruin the moment again? Don't mind it, just pretend I didn't say something." I gave him an assuring smile before pointing my forehead. "You can go back on kissing my forehead."

Then in a blink, his mood shifted again. Yung kaninang matinding kunot mula sa noo at kilay niya ay napaltan ng isang mahinang tawa.

"No." Umiling ito bago uli iharap ang mga sarili namin sa unti unting paglubog ng araw. Vino’s much taller than me so it’s like my head is resting above his chest while both of his arms are snaked all around my waist. Malamig ang klima pero natatabunan yung ng parehas naming nag iinit na katawan.

"I wanted to ask you formally."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "You're not even asking. You simply said 'Let's date." I imitated his manly voice, brushing my thumb on top of his warm arms. Tanging polo lang kasi ang suot niya kaya may tyansa pa rin akong maramdaman ang lambot ng kanyang braso. "I didn't sense a question in that."

Vino stopped swaying before turning his head on me. Dahil nga nasa harap niya ako ay tumama sa buhok ko ang labi niya. I looked up to check him - and that’s when I found out how close my eyes were on his lips. Tingin pa lang ay masasabi mo nang malambot yun dahil sa kulay ng labi niya.

"Alam mo ewan ko sa'yo. Ang sabi ko let's date may kasamang question mark yun.” Sounding from his voice, he really proved hat there’s a question mark right after his statement. Umiling nalang ako. Arguing with him will just cause me pushing his ass to the plenty of trees waving down my sight.

"Where's the question mark? I can't see it." I stopped brushing my thumb on his and placed my hand above my eye, acting like I was looking for something. His annoyed face faded all of a sudden so I had the urge to smile. Kuntento kong binaba ang kamay ko at tumingin uli sa malayo.

"Alright then, let's date." Pagsang ayon ko.

When the sun got down, Vino and I decided to go home. Maganda pa nga sana mag sight seeing dahil kumikinang na ang nagkikintabang ilaw galing sa matataas na gusali ng Maynila but it's almost 7pm na kasi and I don't want my father to scold me for coming home late. Kahit naman pinagpaalam ako ni Vino, I should still go home as early as possible. Baka mamaya lahat ng gamit ko nasa labas na.

Geez, I remembered that one night when Kleo took me home. It was the fiesta of Rio and everyone is wasted at dahil nga nasa legal age na sila Cy and Kleo was fond of drinking ever since she was 16 ayon naginuman sila. (well except for me because I don't drink alcohol at kahit anong pilit kong makatikim ay hindi sila papayag) I was a hundred percent sure that my dad and auntie was asleep that time, but when I opened the door, both of them are sitting at the living room wearing such a scary look. Kaya ever since that happened, I promised myself not to come home late.

"Just drop me here, Dad might see you." Luminga linga pa ako sa kabuuan ng bahay para hanapin si Dad. Thankfully, he wasn't around. Baka mamaya ay imbitahin niya pa sa loob tong si Vino. Who knows? Baka mamaya ginawa niya lang pala yun para kumpirmahing hidni talaga bakla tong kasama ko.