Whispers In Shadows

10

It was tempting. I was so tempted to agree to his suggestion but I couldn't. I know I shouldn't.

I pouted and shook my head. "I just came back from long absences, Dash. And, I don't want to be a bad influence on you," I said, declining his offer even though I really wanted to go and have a date with him!

Dahiel's brow arched. "How can you be a bad influence when it was me who's asking you to cut classes?" He asked.

I rolled my eyes. "Between us two, who has the most frequent visits in the counselor's office?" I asked, he didn't say anything so I continued. "Me, right? So, if we were caught doing something wrong, they would immediately point the blame on me. Because apparently, I'm the bad guy."

"I will tell them it was me who asked you to do that," he said.

My brow arched and I can't help but sighed exasperatedly. I'm not sure if my boyfriend is trying to play a 'I'm your knight, I won't let anything happen to you' or he's just really naïve when it comes to things like that.

I shook my head. "The thing is, they won't believe it." I said. Dashiel looked at me unconvinced. "Alright. Let's say they believe you. How can you explain why we are together, if they ask, huh?" I added.

Dashiel pouted. "Can't we tell them yet if that happens? I want to date you exclusively," he said.

And I don't know, but I felt like I almost died hearing that from him.

Takte! Hindi naman 'to ganito magsalita dati, ah? Bakit ganito bigla? Baka mamatay na lang ako bigla dahil sa kilig.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "Baby, we're dating exclusively but lowkey," I said, not sure if I'm making sense.

"You said discreetly," he answered and I rolled my eyes.

Grabe naman. May pag-atake.

"Ganito na lang, let's do it on the weekend? The date, I mean. Maybe, on Saturday?" I said.

And instantly, like a kid, Dashiel's eyes twinkle. He even nodded "Okay. I'll pick you up," he said.

"Alright." I agreed.

So, we agreed on having a date on Saturday. Though he asked why on Saturday and not on Sunday. I just simply answered, Sunday is family. And we spend it in their house so, technically, we will also see each other that day.

My lunch time was spent so well. I mean, I got to spend it with not a boyfriend-god. Until now it feels surreal saying that Dashiel is my boyfriend now. I also asked for a picture of us while wearing our uniforms and he's so game on it.

So far, he hasn't complained about whatever I want to do with my life.

Swerte ko sa part na 'yon.

Starting my afternoon class, Dan's squinted eyes greeted me the moment I stepped in the gym. I forgot that gym class is our first class in the afternoon.

"Where were you?" He asked, arms crossed to his chest.

"None of your business," I answered and sat beside K in the upper part of the benches. They would probably not allow me to play after what happened. It's fine to me though.

"I saw you coming from the field. What did you do there?" Dan asked more.

I rolled my eyes. "When did you become my mom, Dandrev?" I asked.

"Since you entered this school," K answered, teasing.

Dan rolled his eyes as well. "You just have to answer, Maria Alexandria. Where were you?" He repeated.

'I had a lunch date with you brother, happy?' I was so tempted to say but of course, I didn't.

I won't dig my own grave, duh!

Resigning, I sighed and said, "Just met someone."

"Who?" He asked, sounded so invested.

Ugh. So annoying.

"I already answered your question, Dandrev. Why do you have to know who it was?"

"Because he's acting like your mom," K teased again.

Dan glanced at Keith but didn't say anything. "Come on, Alexa. Who's that? I'm sure that someone is a he," he turned to me.

"You're so annoying," I just said.

Dan arched his brow and said, "Isusumbong kita sa Papa mo."

My hand immediately flew to his arm. "Isusumbong din kita sa mommy mo," I said.

Dan shrugged but didn't say anything. He just sat beside Keith who's enjoying herself by laughing at us.

Baliw.

Our gym class starts and as expected I won't be allowed to play for the meantime. So, I stayed where I was seated; pretending to watch the game while I'm texting Dashiel.

[Texting you.] I replied when he asked me what I'm doing.

[Don't you have a class right now?] He asked again.

[It's just gym and I'm not allowed to participate yet, so I'm just here at the bench. You?] I replied.

[You really should not yet. Vacant. I'm in the library right now.]

[Sana all. I miss you.] I replied.

[I miss you more, baby.] He replied.

"Who's that?" Keith suddenly spoke from my side. I was startled that I almost tossed my phone.

"God, K! You scared me!" I told her.

Keith arched her brow as she leaned her back at the upper lever of the bench. "I have been sitting beside you, how come you still get startled?"

"I didn't know you were there," I said.

"I didn't leave, Alexa. I sat here first," she said.

I just rolled my eyes and didn't comment anymore. I slid my phone back inside my pocket and saw how she watched me while doing that.

"So, who are you texting with?" She repeated.

I shook my head. "You better not ask," I said.

Keith's my best friend but like what I have said, I am not still ready to tell everyone about my relationship with Dashiel. Not even her.

Keith shrugged. "I'm not blind nor oblivious about it, A. I already have an idea in my head but still want to hear it from you," she said.

"I'm not going to say anything," I said.

"Suit yourself," she replied.

We didn't speak about it after that. We remain silent until the gym class ends and have to go back to our classroom for the next class.

The afternoon class finished like a blink. Aside from the glares I'm still receiving from some of my classmates-mostly Harriet's minions, it ended like usual, boring.

Lucia and I were walking our way to the locker room when we bumped into Ms. Offended and her minions.

Harriet is looking at me with an unfathomable expression, while her minions glare at me.

Problema ng mga 'to?

I just arched my brow at her and stared back until we passed by them. We continued walking until we reached our lockers.

"Alam mo, ang laki-laki talaga ng problema niyang sila Harriet sa'yo, no? Parang mga baliw lang," Lucia said.

I shrugged. "Let them. They can hate me for all I care." I said, putting some of my books inside my locker.

We left after securing our belongings. We only parted ways when we reached the parking lot. She waved at me before riding in their car, while I left there waiting for my ride.

[Hey, where are you guys? I'm in the parking lot.] I texted Dione.

[Hala! You're going to ride with us ba? I'm sorry, A, but we already left. I'll just tell manong to drive back to pick you.] Dione replied.

[I told Dan that I'm riding with you!]

[He said he forgot. We're driving back naman na.] She texted back.

Wow. Ang nice.

[Nevermind. I'll just take a grab.] I replied.

[Nah. We will pick you up.]

[I already booked a grab. I will just see you tomorrow.] I lied so they won't have to come back just to pick me.

[You're stubborn.] she replied.

[I will be fine.] I assured her.

[You sure?]

[Yeah. See you tomorrow.] I said and she only replied take care.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Ang matured talaga ni Dandrev, kainis!

I was about to book a ride when a hand slid on the back of my waist. I almost squealed but Dashiel was quick to turn me around to face him.

"Baby, it's me." He said.

I put my hand on my chest, my heart is beating too fast. "I think I'm going to have a heart attack," I uttered.

Dashiel's brow automatically creased. "What? Are you okay?" He asked, concerned.

I nodded. "Yeah. I was just startled." I said.

What's wrong with people around me and they are startling me?

"You sure?"

I nodded again. "Yeah. I'm good, don't worry." I calm myself down before looking around us. "Why are you here?" I then asked him.

There were some students around us but they seem unbothered about us. Well, who are we for them to get bothered with anyway.

"Dan texted me. He said they already left but you're still here. So, he asked me to drive you home," he said.

"He asked you?"

He shrugged. "Yeah. He said he didn't mean to forget about you," he said.

I rolled my eyes. "Sinadya n'ya. That brat! I even texted him earlier! Alam mo, ang kupal talaga niyang kapatid mo." I told him.

Dashiel shook his head. "I'll just drive you home, okay?" He said, sliding his hand to mine and intertwining it.

"Dash..." I said, looking at our hands. He immediately let go. "I'm sorry.".

Dashiel shook his head and said, "It's okay. Let's go?"

I nodded and followed him to his car. It was parked near where I was standing so it didn't take as long to get inside it.

I was just watching him; from when he opened his car door for me, when he put his hand above my head so it wouldn't bump on his car's ceiling until he put my seatbelt on.

"Is your car heavily tinted?" I asked.

Dashiel has a black Range Rover, his dad's gift when he graduated senior high school.

He nodded. "Yeah. Why?" He answered as he switched on his car's ignition.

So, without saying anything, I removed my seatbelt and reached for his face. I cupped it and crashed my lips to his.

"I love you, baby." I said.

Dashiel bit his lips and without saying anything. He held my nape and pulled me closer, he kissed me. He was kissing me so passionately that I'm already losing my sanity. It was so good that I don't want to end it.

"I love you too... so much." He said between our kisses and I can't help but laugh.

God. I love this guy so much.

Kung malalaman lang ng mga magulang namin kung gaano kami kalandi sa isa't-isa, it will surely shock the hell out of them. I could already imagine Papa Ae's scandalized face. Siguradong makukurot ako no'n.

"Please know that I'm yours, baby." I said.

I know he's not asking for assurance, that he was actually willing to do whatever I want and accept what I could only give. But I want him to know that all those years that he's avoiding me, no one caught my attention the way he did. And I don't think I could be interested in any other guys anymore. Now that I have experienced how it is to be his girlfriend, how Dashiel Zyron loves. Nakakaadik.

Dashiel nodded. "I'm yours, too. Always have been," he said and the butterflies in my stomach fluttered again.

"Kinikilig ako," I can't help but admit. Dashiel laughed and planted a quick kiss on my lips.

"I think we should go now. I might lose control and do something wrong," he said. "Seatbelt please." He added as he maneuvered his car.

"What is it?" I curiously asked.

Dashiel shook his head. "You better not ask," he said.

I pouted. "Come on, baby."

"Baby, please. I don't want to embarrass myself in front of you."

I squinted my eyes. "Why? Were you thinking of something rated 18?" I asked.

It was supposed to be a tease but this guy blushed like he was caught doing something bad.

"Oh, my God, you did?" I asked, teasing him.

"Baby, I'm driving." He just said.

But I didn't stop. I kept on teasing him on our way home, I only stopped when he swung by a drive thru and bought me a burger and fries.

"Thank you for the ride," I said when we reached home. I removed my seatbelt and leaned to kiss him.

"Wait until I turned eighteen," I said before getting out of his car and running inside our house.