Summer Vacation

04

"Hoy, ikaw ha, namimihasa ka na sa pag-akbay," teasing, I said to Hairo even though I could hear my heart pounding because of what he did.

Bakit ba ang lakas ng tibok nitong puso ko? Simpleng akbay lang naman. Simpleng akbay lang. Akbay lang galing sa matagal ko ng crush.

Teka–– kinikilig ba ako?! Obviously.

"Gusto ko," he said. "Huwag ka ng umepal," he added and led me into the elevator when it opened.

I greeted the person inside the elevator by bowing. He also bowed and even smiled at me, to avoid being rude, I also smiled at him.

"Kilala mo?" bulong ni Hairo sa tainga ko.

I shook my head. "Nope."

"Then why smile at him?" he asked, still in whisper.

I tiptoed a bit to reach Hairo's ear so that I can whisper to him. I ignored his scent that engulfed my nostrils.

"He smiled at me, first. So I also smiled at him." I whispered.

"Really?"

"Oo! Really," I said.

Nilayo ko ang bibig ko sa tainga niya at umayos ng tayo nang may narinig akong tumikhim. It was the guy with us.

"Floor?" he asked.

"Lobby," I answered.

He nodded and tapped the lobby button. Dahil nasa harapan namin siya, he turned his head at us –– specifically at me. I was a little surprised when he looked at me –– more like, he's eyeing me.

"You looked familiar," he said and finally faced me, crossing his arms on his chest.

I blinked and pointed my self. "Me?" I asked.

"Uhuh," he said, nodding his head. He tilted his head as if he's trying to remember something.

"Aja!" he exclaimed, clicking his fingers. "Zairene Arzuela!"

Napakurap kurap ako. "Yeah.. that's me.." I awkwardly said. "Mayhap do I know you?"

He crossed his arms. "Sid?" he asked. "Ring a bell?"

I furrowed my brows. Sid.. Sid.. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at tinuro siya.

"Sid Adryan?" tanong ko, pointing him.

He grinned. "At your service," he said. "Ahh. How dare you forget 'bout me?" he asked.

I plastered a playful smile. "Sorry, haven't seen you for at least a month? Yes," I said. "How have you been?"

"Me is good. Ikaw?" he asked then his gaze was transferred to Hairo. His mouth formed an 'o'. "You're with your boyfriend, I see," he said.

I shook my head. "Nope. He's kuya's bestfriend."

"Okay, if you say so," aniya.

"What are you doing here, anyways?" I asked. "As far as I know, hindi ka mahilig sa mga resort or what so ever."

He chuckled. "Project–– or sort of," aniya. "Dami kasing arte ni Madame Kijo, tol. Dito pa gusto gumawa ng project," aniya at umiling iling pa.

"You with Juri?" I asked.

He nodded. "Hmm, yes. Pero nasa baba yata siya, kasama si Madame Kijo."

"Ikaw? Sa'n ka ba?" tanong ko.

He was about to answer my question when the elevator stop and made ‘ting!’ sound.

"Dito na ako," he said and smiled. "Bye-bye, Zairene Arzuela!" sabi niya at lumabas ng elevator. Before the elevator closed, he waved at me and winked. Ngumiti lang ako at kumaway pabalik.