What Went Wrong

Ikalabing apat (Love)

I saw him waiting at the lobby again the next day. He looks so dreamy in that gray shirt.

"Good morning!" Masiglang bati nya. How can he smile so simply like that to me?

"G-good morning!" The heck? Did I just stutter?

He smiles and reaches for my hand as we head to his car. I see we're holding hands now, eh? What??

"I bought you some sandwiches. I figured you won't have time to eat breakfast again," sabi nya sabay abot ng paper bag.

"Thanks!"

Nilapit nya mukha nya sa'kin at pinagmasdan ako kay agad akong lumayo. I know I just blushed. Nakita kong ngumisi sya maya-maya.

"What's with those dark circles?" Tanong nya.

Dang!

"I was working on something last night." It was a lie. I couldn't sleep after that emotional talk with him. I feel shy and embarrassed at the same time.

"Sigurado ka? Or maybe because you were thinking of-"

Tiningnan ko sya nang masama. I know he's gonna tease me again.

He beams.

"Well, I was thinking of you last night as well, so it's a tie," sabi nya bago pinaandar ang sasakyan.

How can he be so blunt like that without even blushing? Don't men blush too?

I started eating the sandwich. Funny how he knows the type of sandwich I like, but I still don't know many things about him. All I know is it wasn't his dream to be a doctor and that he sings and cooks well. But apart from that, wala na. I know nothing about him...

And I want to know him more.

"Matt?"

"Hm?"

"Anong favorite food mo?"

"Will you cook for me?" He's teasing again.

"Well, you always bring me food. I thought I could return the favor."

"If you insist, then can you cook me callos?"

"Uhm, wala bang mas madali?" Natatawang sabi ko. "I'm not a pro, you know!"

"I'm just kidding. Well, I'm not picky. I eat almost anything lalo na if you made it with love," he says then he looks at me and smiles teasingly.

Why is my heart racing? Gosh! I feel like a teenager who's having a crush!

"H-how's everything with you in the hospital? Kelan nga ulit balik mo?" Tanong ko maya-maya because I noticed he keeps glancing at me. I know I already asked him, but dang! I don't know what to say suddenly. I feel so nervous around him.

"My official duty's on Monday, so baka di na kita maihatid sa office..." sagot nya.

I feel a bit sad, to be honest.

"But I'll make sure na masusundo kita lagi," sabi nya maya-maya. He must've noticed my reaction.

"I told you, you don't need to. Ayokong ma-hassle ka dahil sa'kin."

He grins.

"Thanks for the concern, love. But you're not a hassle, you know?"

Love? Did he just call me love?

"Why-" bago pa ako makapagsalita, nakababa na sya ng sasakyan. Oh, we're here? I didn't realize.

He opened the door for me at agad akong bumaba because the tension within me is just so intense.

"I'll see you later," sabi nya.

I nod before I walk away.

After my heart to heart talk with him last night, I feel like something has changed in me. I want to know him better. It is true that he makes me happy. He also makes me believe in love...wait! I confessed to him last night, didn't I?

I turned around and saw him still looking at me.

He likes me and I like him too...so what are we? What's with the holding hands? And why did he call me "love"?

Ask him!

That would be too embarrassing!

At kelan ka pa nahiya sa kanya? You even tried undressing in front of him, remember?

Dang! This self talk is...bahala na nga!

"Matt..."

I found myself in front his car again. I get in.

"Did you forget anything?" He looks around.

"W-what are we?" Shoot!

He looks at me intently and before I knew it, his lips already sealed mine.

"That's my answer," sabi nya nung humiwalay sya. "Now, you tell me Toni, what are we?"

"Uhm..."

He smiles weakly. He looks disappointed.

"You don't need to answer. It's okay-"

I kissed him back and was about to pull away, but he grabs me quickly and seals my lips for the second time.

The taste of his lips...it's still sweet.

He looks at me nung humiwalay sya. He's smiling, but I look away. Heck! Why so shy, Toni?

"I knew you couldn't resist my charms!" Biro nya, obviously to lighten the mood. Thank God he's not only charming but also very intuitive.

"May nilagay ka sa sandwich noh?" biro ko pabalik.

Natawa sya. "Blame the baker, not me. Sabi ko it's for the woman I love. I think he's cheering for me," sagot nya.

Napangiti kami pareho. We both stare at each other. I break the contact kasi malapit na akong matunaw.

"I...uhm...better go in," sabi ko maya-maya.

Tumango sya saka napahawak sa batok nya.

Dang! He blushed and it's the most adorable thing I've seen!

"See you later, love!" He says.

Love...

Love...

"Look like someone's in a relationship now!"

Muntik na akong mapatili nang may biglang nagsalita sa tabi ko. It's Yen.

"I saw you earlier. Papasok ka na ng building, but you went back to his car. Forgot his goodbye kiss?" She's grinning.

I know I'm blushing right now. Bakit ang galing ni Yen sa mga ganitong bagay?

"So...kayo na nga?" She asks again.

I slowly nod. Muntik na syang tumili, kaya I covered her mouth right away.

"Well, he's one damm lucky guy to have you! And I'm happy for you, Toni. Looks like you've found the one for you too," sabi nya with a genuine smile on her face maya-maya.

"I hope so too."