No Matter What, It’s You

Chapter 3: The Questions I Couldn’t Ask

When I slipped everything happened fast.

I was like: Dante, help I do not know how to swim.

I kept moving my arms trying not to sink. The water felt really heavy around me. I could hear Dante. He was still a little far away.

Dante was like: Hey relax I am coming, hold on.

I was already panicking. My chest felt tight. I swallowed some water. My arms started to feel weak.

I said: Dante.

After that I do not remember anything.

When I opened my eyes I was lying down near the hut.

I blinked a times trying to understand where I was.

Dante was sitting nearby already dressed.

Then I noticed something: I was wearing clothes.

My heart started beating

Before I could ask anything Jordan and the others arrived.

Jordan was like: Oh you are awake good we are heading home soon it is getting late.

I slowly sat up still confused. I looked around. Saw my clothes hanging outside still wet.

Even my underwear.

I felt so embarrassed.

I looked at Dante for a second. I could not say anything. There were many people around.

I wanted to ask him what happened. I wanted to know how I ended up in clothes.

The moment just passed.

While they were talking and laughing about the pig I stayed quiet.

On the way home I walked carefully. I did not want to slip

Dante walked beside me for a while.

Dante asked: You sure you are okay?

I said: Yeah I am okay.

He looked like he wanted to ask more. He did not.

When we got home Dante and the others were about to leave.

I stopped him for a moment.

I said: Hey thank you for earlier for saving me.

He smiled, that calm smile.

Dante said: course I told you right I will catch you.

I did not know why. Instead of feeling happy I felt annoyed. Maybe because I was still confused.

After they left I sat down in the living room. Opened Messenger. Dina had sent messages.

I started replying away.

Talking to Dina felt normal, easy, light.

By 7 p.m. we were still chatting.

I was cooking rice when I realized we did not have anything to eat with it.

I asked Jordan: What is our dish?

Jordan said: I will cook I will use the wild pig Dante caught earlier.

I frowned again when I heard Dantes name.

I still did not know what happened at the river.

I pushed the thought away. Focused on Dina again.

Our conversation was the jokes teasing, a little flirting then sometimes serious questions.

When Dina started asking about us I avoided the topic.

I was still confused about myself.

After a while Dina said: I am going to eat dinner

I said: Okay talk later.

Jordan started cooking the meat the smell was strong so I went outside to the terrace.

There were mosquitoes so I lit a mosquito coil.

I felt bored so I opened the app, the one where I talked to Alex.

There was a message from Alex.

Alex asked: How are you are you okay?

I paused.

Why would Alex ask that?

I said: I am okay why?

Alex said: I am at the basketball league near the barangay hall come here watch with me.

I said: No it is already night.

Alex said: I am alone I do not have anyone to talk to.

I still refused I did not know Alex enough.

A minutes later Jordan called me again.

Jordan said: Go buy some ingredients and rice we need it for tomorrow.

The store was a bit far. I borrowed Jordans motorcycle.

When I got near the store I noticed the basketball court, across the street the league was there.

I suddenly remembered Alex.

So I messaged Alex.

I asked: What color is your shirt?

Alex said: Blue.

I looked at the court there were three guys wearing shirts one of them was Dante.

I immediately felt annoyed again. Turned away.

Then my phone buzzed Alex messaged: Are you leaving already stay for a bit.

I froze, how did Alex know I was there?

I looked around. I could not figure it out maybe Alex just guessed.

I did not want to think much.

I said: I just bought something I am going home.

I drove back. My mind was full again thinking about Dante and what happened at the river.

To be continued.....