Our Story

3 But He Held My Hand

—————WHICH I WASN’T ABLE TO DO AFTER NOTICING THE CLOCK. How could my eyes not catch it while looking at him as, in my eyes’ point of view, the clock, which was displayed just on top of the eatery’s list menu, was merely right beside the head of this handsome stranger? The moment I gazed at it, my eyes were locked, and my soul sprinted yet my body was frozen. Was I really reading the time right?

The hour hand was pointed at nine, the minute hand in between four and five, while the longest hand kept on moving in a circular direction: 09:23.

“It can’t be right,” I whispered, I thought, softer than the sound of the wind around. I could still hear the chattering of the plates around us as well as the blabbering noise from different voices, but it was nothing compared to the loud beat that my heart made at the very point. It was thunderous that it could be used for a piece of metal music. Now, it was my forehead and body that began to sweat. For revenge for what he did on my uniform, I wish I have the courage, too, to hide under this good-looking stranger’s neck. Yet, forgetting all of these after I heard a serious voice of reply from him, I realized I never did say it in a whispering manner. His response was clear to me that he heard me doubting about something. “What can’t be right this time?”

I wish I could tell you, yet you would never understand. These were the words I originally wanted to answer him, but it would seem I was being rude. I always assumed people like him, who weren’t born and raised in this kind of area, get easily offended. Anyway, I voiced out different words instead, still in this anxious state, while my eyes automatically got redirected to his eyes. And, wow, that was the first time I saw his face with the absence of a smile or any sign of his laughter. How beautiful was that, indeed. “Nothing.” Although short and I sort of changed my answer, my response was candid.

Then, I sort of stuttered after there was no answer from him – as he was somewhat looking for more words from me to answer his question. Pressured by his silence, my eyes went back to the clock, breaking our connection and reading the time a hundred times already. Next, I pressed on, not lying, “I, uh – I need to go. I’m late for school, you know – ” I fakely laugh for a brief seconds after this, then proceeded on saying whilst I eyed him again, “ – a place for students like me hehe.”

It was sort of funny that I cared and dared to explain to him what school was and even pointed at my uniform – which he caused to be dirty with his sweat – while I did so. I was never more embarrassed after. Yet I had forgotten all about that matter when this young stranger followed my eyes to the clock and shrieked again inside this eatery. His voice had the same volume as he did before when yelled with regards to how spicy his food was. Mentioning it, I couldn’t still forget how red his eyes had turned when that moment betided. For a second there, I thought I was going to witness a death.

“MOTHER OF C– !“ Everyone paused on whatever they were doing and then looked at us, especially at this guy. The air tightened around me as this guy created more scene that was making me feel awkward. My shoulders jumped off for a quick second the soon my ears caught his unexpected exclamation. It wasn’t very long before he took his eyes off of the clock – unlike me, who was still gazing at the clock even after that appalling screech he made. I knew he looked back at me with his face aghast, yet I kept my eyes on the clock, thinking more about the situation I was in rather than giving my care and attention to whatever situation he was in. Honestly, why would I give all my time to someone I never met before? Let him deal with his own predicament.

But I had no choice. Subsequent to eyeing me back, there was silence again that spread in the corners of this eating establishment. And, even though my eyes were at the clock solely, I could sense that stare of his. It was as if it was demanding to bring back the connection we just had through our eyes not a long moment ago, which I did so because I had no choice. Another reason was that I only did it to break the silence.

Not so contrasting afore when he seek for help because his food was killing him, I saw his great fret through his eyes. And he questioned me while pointing at the clock, or more like rephrasing my question before, which I couldn’t even answer as I, too, was sceptical about what was happening! “Am I reading the time right?”

Despite the possibility that I couldn’t answer that question, I wanted to tell him yes after I took a peek at my watch to confirm the time I had seen on the eatery’s menu wall. I had no doubt this time when I checked it twice, maybe a million times already, seeming like this handsome hunk in front of me didn’t exist at that point, as I somewhat ignored his voice because I was too focused on my own time problem. I felt guilty for doing it though – he wasn’t to be blamed for this. I recalled I volunteered to help him, and so the corresponding consequences of that action were my responsibility to address and take and face. Sometimes, kindness is a little weird. And I always failed to understand it. I thought, if I give kindness, I would receive kindness, too. But the case was, when I did something good out of my heart’s kindness, terrible things began to come afterwards.

The moment I moved my eyes back at him and saw those perturbed eyes again after glancing at my watch, I wondered why he cared so much about the current time. Was he a student, too? I reckon not, seeing and judging his face. If he indeed was, why would he end up here? The only university that stood in this place was the university I went to, and – yes – I claimed that I had never seen such a gorgeous guy in my university. Perhaps, he was worried sick concerning the time over some other matters? I suppose, a business – a family business? Yeah, that made more sense when I just assumed that we shouldn’t be late for that scheduled business meeting this morning and just wondered my thoughts back at my own current plight. And, when doing so, I remembered that I did when this guy spoke to me. I also remember the guilt. It was real.

About to give him my apologies regarding that, which I would intentionally be doing it indirectly, I got interrupted by Mrs Linda’s flabbergasted incoming voice. Not only was her voice of her but also got interrupted by the sound of her heels on the floor. My mouth was opened already, ready to take out my words to him, and, yet, never mind. We both turned at her, but Mrs Linda was only looking at me worriedly. “Ian!” she exclaimed with a hand slap on my shoulder muscles as soon as reached me, continuing, “Your classes! Young man, you’re late!”

“I know!” I didn’t mean to appear discourteous when I said it. I had my gentle manner, However, my panic was also visible in my tone. Without another look at the stranger, I straightened my legs up, all ready to walk in an opposite direction from where he stood because I loathe to pass him without saying a horrible and embarrassing goodbye, which I was about to do on purpose. Yet, before I took a step away from him, he caught my shoulder and released it after when he got my attention, asking, “I – I could drive you to your school! My car’s parked not far away from this building!”

A sudden confusion appeared on my face. I knew I inadvertently made that crumbled face again which, I thought, triggered his laughter earlier before this. But seeing his face still serious and distressed about the time, he presented no sign of laughter of any kind.

“I mean, I wanted to say thanks for helping me out, but I knew it wouldn’t be enough, would it?” I was surprised that he suddenly dropped his distraught voice, seeming to come this time. Then, he showed me his face with a smile. Oh, how pleasing it was to witness! Anyway, he carried on, “So, please, give me a chance to return it back to you.” Notwithstanding the fact that I didn’t know this man very well, in the absence of thinking about his offer thoroughly aside from the reason that he owed his life to me, I agreed. However, before I could tell my decision, he grabbed one of my hands gently and took it away with him as he walked. I automatically clasped close my hand on his’ and followed his steps outside, almost forgetting that I require my backpack, which was left on my table, to go to the university. Thankfully, Mrs Linda reminded me and handed it to me.

Mr handsome stranger lead the way outside – of course, as he was the only one who knew where his car was parked. I just followed his steps without another word of question. We recently welcomed the fresh air outside and then we were already on the side of his car. Indeed, it was parked not far from the eatery, but our hands were still holding each other like they both had no plans of feeling each other’s warmth. I liked it.

Seeing his car made me truly believe that it was a business meeting he was fretful about. Well, just like his appearance, it was gorgeous. Handsome. It was shining black as if it was new. Maybe, it was newly bought. And only rich people could afford to buy such properties at a young age. Anyway, it was as I thought it was. I didn’t have enough time to think of something else other than being in my classes right now. He opened the door beside the driver’s seat – obviously, his seat – then motioned his hands on the other door, suggesting that I should go there and take my seat. What I couldn’t fathom though was, he was still holding my hand, and I, whose attention was lost due to the panic, wasn’t aware that our hands still shared warmth. I wasn’t even conscious that we were holding our hands that long enough already until he pushed my hand closer when I was about to direct myself to the other door, asking, “Where’s your school, anyway?”

“Manila University,” I answered instantly at him, wanting to go to that car’s door and get in but also wanting to keep our hand this close. And I added before he could give his response, “If you don’t know where is it, I could be your navigator. I know this place.”

“Manila University?” he repeated my voice. It was actually irritating. Did I blabber? I tried not to appear vexed in front of him and just nodded. He proceeded afterwards, which baffled my great mind in panic, “Really? That’s where my new school is!” Next, without seeing it coming, I was hurtled towards his front, and then I found myself wrapped around his strong arms. That was finally the moment our hands disconnected. Still hugging me, which I didn’t do in return, he said with ecstasy, “I’m so happy to meet you! Since, I’m new to this city or town, whatever you call this place is, I don’t know where my school is.” So, he was a student, too. It turned out that what I guessed about this young, good-looking man was incorrect.

I knew it! He wasn’t from around here. He recently confirmed that he wasn’t. But if that were the case, where did he come from? What place? What was he doing in the eatery? How did he end up here? Questions again swirled through my head after hearing his words. But those ceased when he began pulling himself from the hug.

After the hug, I didn’t know what to say. I mean, I wanted to let him know that I did now care about him, knowing now that I had a positive feeling that this stranger was a good person and might become one of my friends as I was starting to like him after we left the eatery. It was just, I didn’t know how should I express my pure intentions to him aside from showing my silence in front of him. I smiled at him a couple of seconds after he replied in an attempt to let him know that my attention was still around us.

“Ian, is that correct?” he asked for authentication of my name, partially crumbling his face but with that pleasing smile from his red lips, which I immediately responded to, “Yes.”

“Well, Ian, we didn’t have a good start,” he chuckled, looking directly into my eyes. I couldn’t agree more with those words, though. Certainly, we didn’t. And then, I was just about to take the turn to ask his name, which I desired long moments ago before this, he pressed on saying, extending his right hand for a handshake – the very same hand he used to grab one of my own earlier. I, with genuine pleasure, took the handshake as he mouthed, “The name’s Lee.” What a wonderful name. I was just, again, to say something in return when he unintentionally interrupted.

“And, Ian, I want to get this straight. I don’t know anyone in this school. Could you be my friend?” I loved his honesty, so, there was no reason to say no. While nodding unbridled, I replied with a smile. “Yes!”