Inaudible Melodies

Kabanata 9

My grandma's presence was out of reach. I can no longer glimpse her shadow prowling around. Hence, halfway from my walking, I saw one of our servants that's why I grab the chance to ask her.

"Where's grandma?"

"Ay umalis na po, ma'am! Nang pumunta ka po sa eskwelahan ay lumisan din ang mamita mo."

"Alright. Thank you." after our small chat, she bid her goodbye for the reason that she still has a job.

My grandma couldn't really miss a single day without having grandpa beside her. Gano'n niya kamahal si Lolo. Well, both sides were.

Their love is affable, unconditional, and eternal. They fit together like a puzzle piece. They aren't perfect, but both of them are imperfectly trying to be for the love they have that gives them life and the deepness of it that can make them breathless.

I wish that kind of love, too. The tenderness of it, the adoration for each other. Deep love may not be perfect, but it attempts to understand things, to the complexity of its meaning. It allows you to be someone else's world and be the reason for his everyday smile.

Well... love can make you feel lucky for finding it, at the same time jinxed for losing it.

However, I spotted Lucian talking to someone over his phone. Later on, he hangs up and looks at my side. I held my breath for a while because of his scrutinizing stare. His orbs always give me discomfort.

"Hey," he called. "Will you go out with me?" his lips protruded the way those words dance in his mouth.

That caught me off guard. He wanted us to go out? For what purpose?

"S-saan?" I stammered a bit.

Why am I even stuttering? Come on, self. This is just your cousin.

"Kahit saan."

This man is unbelievable! I was invited but why is my choice would be the basis for the formal resolution? Why are my decisions even matter to him?

"Ahmm..." I hesitated a bit and he c****d his brow, signaling me to go on. "I know a cafe. Doon na lang tayo?" the tranquility in his eyes won over his strong emotion.

"Your call," he muttered, his attention was gushing to mine.

"I'll go get a quick shower," I said, shifting my gaze from the other side.

Hindi ko alam pero sa tuwing titingin sa 'kin si Lucian, nanghihina ako. Those hazel eyes made my limbs vulnerable at some point.

"Okay, take your time."

The wind picked up by speed under pressure was giving me a hush of peace.

I don't know why but I feel awkward towards him. Maybe because I didn't see that coming? His words earlier that bounced to be a craving offer?

I got inside my room and took a quick shower. After I felt that I'm clean enough, I put on my undergarments and applied some cream over my face. Moreover, I went to my closet and swathed in a white flared skirt and a navy blue bottom-up shirt. Then, I slipped on some flats and tugged my hair into a tight bun.

I squandered half an hour for me to wrap everything up. By the time that I finished, several knocks kept on banging my door. I immediately grabbed my purse and sunglasses. The moment I unlocked the door, I was greeted by Lucian's face.

His eyes hovered to my figure. His face says disapproval and I can't help but feel bad about my outfit. Are my clothes too much? But these were the ones I used to wear.

"Go get changed. Your skirt is too short. Boys out there will drool over that legs of yours." I nibbled my lower lip upon hearing his opposition.

Instead of praising me about my looks, he's into insulting, huh?

"What's wrong with my outfit?" I leaned back at the door uneasily while my arms crossed over my chest.

"It will catch some attention. You don't want me to get involved in trouble because of that, do you?" my mouth cropped up into a pensive frown.

"Lucian, this is how I dressed. And even if you came, this is still my fashion. Thus, don't bother to worry."

His eyes shot me an intense glance and the dominant uncomfortable non-cooperative response about my behavior was extricating.

"Tsk! Let's go before I change my mind." in a controlled manner, he uttered.

I don't get his point for acting weird and disliking my garments. Sometimes, that cousin of mine is also bipolar. Lucian is something I can't read. He's so hard to understand and his actions? Nah, it's unpredictable.

Lucian was impatiently waiting for me outside. Iritado ang mukha niya habang nakatingin sa 'kin.

"Why so slow? Hindi mo naman kalahi ang pagong hindi ba?" there's a hint of peeve in his voice that almost matches his raw nettle face.

"You have bigger legs than mine! Paano kita maaabutan kung singlaki ng higanti ang hakbang mo!" I can imagine the wheeze in my voice when I told that.

Mas lalo akong nairita sa tinging ibinibigay niya. He has an amused expression again while looking at me. Ano? Mukha na naman ba akong joker sa harapan niya?

"Then you should run instead."

Wow. Grabeng suggestion, nakakatulong.

He annoyed me so much! He brings out the worst in me.

Ugh! Calm down, Lea! You will gonna have a long day with him, so bear it up. But I can't halt myself from losing my patience when he's with me!

"Ugh! Run 'yang mukha mo!" I whined like a child.

I slammed the door when I got inside his car. Minutes later, Lucian entered and comfortably sat his ass while having that annoying grin on his lips. Ang sarap niyang tadyakan!

"Where are we going anyway?" he put his seatbelt on and drummed his fingers on the steering wheel.

"Just drive the car and I'll lead you the way."

I don't have the strength to talk to my cousin right now. He filled my conscious thinking with distraction and frustration.

Kapag magsasalita ako ay puro pang-iinis o di kaya pangbabara ang ginagawa niya.

"The little princess is kinda mad." I don't like the way his eyes twinkled in fun, his lips were in a playful tease, and his words that's tempting to provoke me.

Umikot ang aking mata. Nakakainis talaga ang lalaking 'to!

My eyes squinted when I glared at him.

"Let's have a real talk here, Lucian. Tell me frankly, do you have a problem with me?"

He winked and grinned at me. Behind those is something more intense than normal thought and his clenched stubble jaw wasn't a good sign.

Saan kaya nagmana ang isang 'to? Tito Diego is a nice man but Lucian? Nah, I don't have the exact word to describe his attitude.

Super legit na gago siya.

"Do I have a problem with you?"

"Don't answer me with the same question, Lucian! I'm serious here."

Napailing lamang siya. Napasulyap muna siya sa 'kin bago ibinalik sa daan ang kanyang tingin.

Yet, after a moment of stillness, his face grew serious, but he let out a soft chuckle afterward.

"Seryoso din naman ako sa 'yo, L. Sobrang seryoso." his eyes softened when he looked at me.