Chapter Thirteen

| Hearts |

♥

He likes me?!

That was the first thought that popped in my head when he said those words. I know 'like' is very far from the deep and beautiful term 'love' but as a girl who had just gotten her first confession, I took it as a big deal.

I think 'liking' a person is very important and must be treasured. I mean, a person's heart has set some things and characteristics he/she would like in a person, and you, while just being ordinarily you, could be liked by someone because his/her heart thinks it's compatible with yours.

Sean's heart thinks it's compatible with mine.

The moment he was moving his face closer to me, I couldn't move an inch, nor think a single thought. He's electrifying me. It's as if he's paralyzed me with those dark eyes, putting my mind on pause.

Good thing my Mom opened the door! It created enough noise for Sean and me to jump away from each other. From the bench in front of our house, I could clearly see my Mom, obviously looking for something (or someone), her chin up and eyes squinted, an expression I used to laugh at. Sean stood up, tapped my cheek and winked, as if he hadn't almost cried minutes ago, then walked away.

I was about to invite him inside but I didn't utter a reply, because my tongue seemed to freeze, and my trembling lips forgot its knowledge to speak.

--

That night was I guess the most memorable dinner I had with my family. Mom laughed, although little (it's better than not) at Dad's lame jokes. They asked how I was. They asked how I've been doing. That I mustn't force myself to go to school if I still couldn't.

I've never felt like that! I was treated like... a child!

Well, I was a child – but I rarely experience those kind of times. So that night, I treasured it by heart. It's one of those infrequent moments that when it happens, you have to live by the seconds, appreciate them, because you'll never know when it will happen again – not in this world full of secrecies.

That night also, as I was scribbling notes in my diary, my phone rang. I knew it was Sean.

I put away my things, sat my legs crossed in my bed and put a soft big pillow in my lap. The orange light from my bedside table illumed my little room, and I stared at it for a little while, relaxing myself, before putting the phone on my ear.

"Hi?" I said, nervous. My hands clutched my pillow, remembering his words earlier that day. His scent. His breath on top of my lips.

I heard some shuffles, then a steady sound of the night and faint sounds of vehicles. It seemed like he was outside. "Um – yes, hey."

"Bakit?"

"I want to clear myself up."

"Um...?" I responded, unsure.

"Tungkol sa sinabi ko kanina."

My heart pounded fast when he said that. Baka bawiin niya 'yung sinabi niya. Baka sabihin niyang nabigla lang siya.

I gulped. "I understand if –"

"I truly like you."

Wow, man, wasn't that fast. It was said rather smoothly and hurried, and I had to pause to let it register in my head first.

"Y-Yeah..."

"I thought you might have misunderstood me," he said. Of course I didn't misunderstand him – he almost kissed me! What else could that mean? "Are you okay with it?"

I didn't even know. I myself wasn't quite sure, or more clearly, in denial of my feelings. Yes, I liked him too, but, I mean, was I supposed to tell him? Forgive the girl who isn't so familiar dealing with those peculiar stuffs. Those things were out of my way ever since, and never even thought about it.

But still, I decided to calm everything down. Everything has its own times and clocks, so I didn't have to rush. I didn't have to tell him about my feelings just that – I wanted to let things flow smoothly, without forces and obligations, just because we know we feel the same.

I liked him, that's all that mattered.

I smiled. "Yeah. Sure," I replied, delivering a vague message.

I heard him sighed deep, as if in relief. "Okay," he said. "Are you fine going out tomorrow?" He cleared his throat. "I know you've been through a hard time... because of me, and I want to... make up... for it."

It wasn't his fault, why was he acting like it was? Regardless of that, it felt nice for him to consider my feelings first before inviting me out. He wasn't that insensitive. He cares. Although not very showy. By his stutters, though, it made my heart leap, because I knew he was nervous.

At first, I didn't quite consider it as a date. We've went out a few times (three, remember?) so that stuff seemed normal.

I thought it was all normal until the next day came, and I just saw him standing on our front porch.

"S-Sean?" I asked.

I can never forget the way he looked like that warm October. How can I? It was the first time I've seen him look so decently handsome, even with his cuts, far from his rugged look. He was wearing, as far as I can remember, a red, checkered shirt, its sleeves rolled up to his elbow. Jeans. And a pair of chucks. His hair that used to be messy looked like it was combed. Mukha ngang nag-gel pa siya, eh.

And he looked paler.

"Mau."

I was very embarrassed, showing up with my pajamas and loose shirt. My hair was so messy, a bird could mistake it as a nest.

"H-Hindi pa 'ko nakapaghanda!" I blurted out.

Sean laughed at me, then shook his head. "Don't worry. I'll wait."

"Um – I'm sure you want to come in?"

My parents were home, and realizing I've been talking in front of our door, the both of them walked towards the door.

"Sino 'yan?" Mom asked.

Mom and Dad showed, and I never knew Sean could make such expression. Unsure, nervous, and he's sweating! I stifled a laugh.

I know Mom faked a smile back there, but who am I to judge? Dad scrutinized him, and when I explained to him that Sean saved me once from Vance, Dad's face relaxed, and I thought Mom's, too. The next smile they wore really warmed my heart. I looked at Sean, smiled, and he secretly winked at me.

Writing all these down, the fresh feelings of joy and love races back. The innocence and purity of love I was never familiar of, the bliss and blithe I never knew I'd feel. I can remember how I put a very honest smile on my lips – a smile I've always wanted to wear.

♥