Chapter 3
1551 Words
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter has been revised for clarity and improved flow.
REUBEN POV
Elise’s breathing was slow and even, her face relax and peaceful. My hand moved as if on its own, drawn to the warmth of her skin. "I don't know when I'll get to touch you like this again," I murmured, my fingers tracing the delicate curve of her jaw, "but you're here now. I can feel you, I can touch you."
Elise let out a soft "Hmm,"
I smiled, charmed by the way her lips twitched. She was so adorable.
"Sir apanan tayo? ("Sir, where are we headed? ) the conductor asked, unaware that he was already beside him.
"To the Municipal Hall, Manong," I replied. I reached my pocket and handed him a whole one-thousand bill.
"Two hundred pesos lang sir! Awan la ti two hundred pesos yo ditan? ("Just two hundred pesos, sir. Don't you have two hundred with you? ) the conductor asked.
"Awan a manong," ( I don't have) I answered.
Aguray biit ngarud sir ta agsingir nak pay sabali nga pasaheros," ( "Wait a bit, sir, I need to collect fares from other passengers first.") the conductor said.
"Saanen a nasken pay nga suklian nak. I less mo jay fare me nga dua. Same destination kami." ("No need to give me back the change. Deduct my fare and my companion's. We're going to the same destination," I said. "Just keep the change,")
Agyanak la unay sir," ("Thank you very much, sir.")
The conductor had moved on, leaving me to focus on Elise again. Her head was drooping, so I instinctively caught it and gently rested it against my chest.
Elise let out a soft "Hmm," again snuggling closer and wrapping her arms around me. "Why is my teddy bear getting hard?" Elise murmured, her voice thick with sleep.
A smile spread across my face. "I wish we could stay like this forever," I whispered. I didn't want to let this moment slip away, so I pulled out my phone and captured a few pictures of us together.
ELISE'S POV
I jolted awake, feeling dizzy and nauseous, as if my stomach was being churned. To my surprise, I found myself clinging to the man beside me, who was sound asleep, his gentle snores filling the air. I instinctively pulled away, that cause waking him up. "I'm sorry," I mumbled, covering my mouth as if I was about to vomit. He handed me a plastic bag.
“No thanks, I'm not throwing up, I just need to breathe some fresh air,” I said to him, then I pulled back the window curtain and slightly opened the window. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself until I felt relief, realizing that the dizziness and stomach discomfort were due to the increasing altitude. We were just minutes away from reaching the town proper of Santa Monica.
As always, I allowed myself to admire the nature, I also saw the beauty of the NAGTINGNGAAN FALLS from where I was. It was called NAGTINGNGAAN (which means In between) Falls because it is situated between two mountains. The towering trees adorned the lush surroundings and the almost-touchable clouds. We were at the highest point of the road now. If only he could have stopped the bus and taken some photos, I would have done it. I also saw how small the houses, cars, and things below appeared from where I was.
's**t,” I muttered softly as I sat up straight when they started to go down, my palms becoming sweaty and droplets of sweat forming on my forehead due to the few sharp curves they had to pass through to finally reach the town proper of Santa Monica.
“Oh my, I entrusted you with my life, dear driver,” I almost screamed as they passed the first sharp curve. Shortly after, a warm hand covered my cold hand and he pulled me into his arms. I rested my head on his chest, and I caught a whiff of his masculine scent, very familiar to her. That scent made her immediately calm. It's Reuven's scent. So, I glanced up slightly to look at his face but he was wearing a face mask. “Reuven?” I asked, my voice filled with confusion...
“Tss just close your eyes,” he whispered to my ears and gently pushed my head down so I leaned against his chest again. “Hold on, Elise, we're approaching the second curve,” he said seriously to her. The buss swayed slightly, so I held onto him tightly.
"He knows me? How? Who is he?" The questions raced through my mind, desperate to be asked, but I couldn't voice them.
“Aherrm,” I heard him clear his throat. “I think you're getting too comfortable, miss. Do you know that there's a fee for every hug and sniff you give me?” I could clearly hear the amusement in his voice.
A wave of heat flushed through me, and I instinctively pulled back, adjusting my posture. As I did, I realized we were on the flat ground. I nearly stumbled, my face flushing with embarrassment. To cover it up, I turned to him, my gaze sharp. "Excuse me," I said, my voice laced with annoyance. "Who are you? Why do you know me? Are you stalking me?"...
“Is that your way of saying thank you?” he said. “I’m not your stalker. I know your name by chance,” he said, pointing to her nameplate.
"Ooh," I said, a wave of disappointment washing over me. Was this what it felt like to be let down? To have your expectations, your hopes, dashed against the reality of a stranger's face? He wasn't Reuven, or maybe he was but didn't recognize me. Either way, it was a strange, painful feeling, a tightness in my chest that made it hard to breathe.
“Elise, you okay?” he ask me, and i heard a hint of concern in his voice. “Here, drink this,” he said, handing me a bottled water while patting my back.
“I-I'm fine, don't mind me,” I said, taking the water and take a sip.
“Next stop, SANTA MONICA GENERAL HOSPITAL and MUNICIPAL HALL,” shouted the conductor, catching her attention.
“s**t,” i cursed.
“You're fond of cursing, huh! Bad mouth,” he scolded me.
“Mind your own business, mister giant,” I retorted irritably. “Move aside, I'm getting off soon,” I added. "But he remains unmoved as he sits comfortably."
“WHAT,” I couldn't help but yell at him. This drew the eyes of some of our fellow passengers to us. “Darn,” I hissed."
“Mouth,” he said. "IBABA NA KAMI DITA MUNISIPYO MANUNG. (“Get off at the municipal hall brother.” )
The bus slowed down and stopped in front of the Municipal Hall. The man stood up . I stood up too following him.
“I’ll get off here too, here's my fare, brother,” I handed to the conductor my fare but he give it back.
“Your fare has been paid, ma'am,” the conductor replied.
“What? I'm surprised,” “But—,” I was about to say something when he suddenly pulled my hand down the bus. “What's wrong with you,” I retorted, pulling my hand back.
“What? You're blocking the way, someone's getting off,” he said, pointing to the passenger getting off.
"Oh, so it's you, mayor. Good afternoon," greeted the elderly woman to the man.
“Good afternoon, Manang Belen,” he greeted back.
“Thank you so much, mayor, for choosing my child to be one of your scholars,” Manang Belen said.
“It's nothing as long as he studies well.”
“Yes, mayor, you can count on that. Alright, I'll go ahead as I might be bothering you and your girlfriend,” she said with a smile. “Alright, madam mayor, I'll go ahead of you,” she said, turning to leave.
"What? Oh, I'm not his girlfriend," I said in shock. "You're the mayor? I couldn't believe what I was hearing," I added, pointing my fingers at him in disbelief.
He ignored me and walked away."By the way, you owe me a date," he said with a playful smile, before entering the municipal hall" She stood there, stunned by his last words and the things she'd overheard. It wasn't until her phone rang that she snapped back to reality.
“Yes, uncle, I'm here already,” it's her uncle Ramon asking her where she is. “Give me lolo's room number, I'll be there in a minute. Okay, uncle, I'll hang up.” She ended the call. She sighed, "You're here again, self." She said sadly as she crossed the street, the hospital where her grandfather was confined was just in front of the municipal hall.
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"Oh, lalala, REUBEN is a mayor. Was he also one of the attendees at the seminar earlier?"
Who is Reuven? Why did Elise mistake Reuben for Reuven? Is it confusing? Haha 🤣 Let's find out in the upcoming chapters.
thanks much♥️
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_ tagaIloCosNak
- Writer
