Chapter 10: Eyes

Look into my eyes and see how crazy I am for you.

Dinala ni Magnus si Tita Germaine at Pheliz sa dati nilang bahay. They will live there with Magnus starting today. I must say that it is best for them. He has now a family to take care of him.

Tinulungan ko silang mag-ayos ng gamit nila at magluto. Tita Germaine doesn't want me to leave yet so I can join in their dinner. I respectfully declined because Mom might scold me for going home late but Magnus and Pheliz joined forces and made me stay.

"I want Ate Red to sleep beside me, Kuya. Please," Pheliz said while we are eating.

Magnus looked at me, apologetically.

"Hindi pwedeng dito matulog si Ate Red, 'nak. Her family is probably waiting for her. I will sleep beside you, instead, alright?"

Ipinaliwanag pa ni Tita Germaine kung bakit hindi ako puwedeng magpagabi pa masyado. Buti na lang at mabilis naman iyong naintindihan ni Pheliz. She is a smart kid. I admire her for always understanding a situation that's not in her favor.

Pagkatapos naming kumain ay nagkuwentuhan pa kami saglit ni Tita Germaine sa sala nila. She told me about Magnus' childhood and their shortcomings on him. I can see that she is regretful for what happened.

"Red, I beg you. Save him. He needs you. Alam kong hindi ko na iyon magagawa dahil nabahidan na ang aming relasyon bilang mag-ina. Malaki ang pagkukulang namin ni Myrus sa kaniya kaya sana ay mapunan mo iyon," she said, teary-eyed.

I nodded at her. "I will, Tita. Magnus is special to me and I want him to be whole again. I'm going to save him. I promise."

I will help him pick up his broken pieces one by one. I hope we have enough time, though.

Nag-paalam muna ako kay Pheliz bago ako umalis. She wants to see me tomorrow so I promised to come here again since it's weekend.

"I will drive you home," Magnus uttered.

Tumango ako at sumakay sa kotse niya. His eyes looked tired but he tries his best not to fall asleep during the ride.

"Thank you for your help. I owe you one, miss." He smiled at me, showing his dimple.

I shrugged. "That's nothing. I know you needed me. Am I right, stranger?" I teased him.

"Yeah, yeah. Someday, you'll need me more than I do. The stars are our witnesses."

Natulala ako sa kaniya. He is so confident that it will happen. I am stunned with his words for the nth time.

"Don't say words like that. I have a weak heart, you know," I murmured.

He glanced at me and smirked. "Good."

Kunot-noo ko siyang tinignan. What does he mean by that? He likes me having a weak heart? I can't read him, really.

"Ano?" tanong ko.

Nakangiting umiling lamang siya nang hindi tumitingin sa akin. Hinayaan ko na lang iyon at baka magulat na naman ako sa isasagot niya. He has his way with words. I don't know how he does that.

"Pumili ka na ng susunod nating gagawin para sa blog mo. I will pick you up tomorrow, at 8 am sharp. Don't be late."

Hindi na rin siya nagtagal dahil gabi na. Kanina pa rin siya tinatawagan ni Tita Germaine. Namiss niya talaga ang anak niya. Magnus seems to be a momma's boy.

"Where have you been?"

Naabutan ko si Mom na nakaupo sa sofa at nagbabasa ng magazine. May isang tasa ng tsaa din na nakapatong sa center table.

"Uhm. I was with a friend, Mom. Her Mom cooked dinner and asked me to join them. I'm sorry, I will inform you next time," I explained.

Tumayo siya at lumapit sa akin. Inayos niya ang kaniyang eye glasses bago nagsalita.

"I want to meet this friend of yours. And next time, message me, okay? It's already late and you are not yet here. I got worried."

I nodded at her. Nagulat ako sa concern niya sa akin. Ito ang unang beses na hinintay niya ako. Before, she didn't waste a second here for me. So, this is it, right? The start of it all...

She hugged and kissed me goodnight. Tanaw ko siya habang umaakyat siya sa kaniyang kuwarto. I smiled and went to my room.

I took a half-bath first before calling Magnus.

"Hello? Miss me?" bungad niya. Napailing na lang ako sa kalokohan niya.

I smirked when a plan popped on my mind. "Yep."

Wala akong narinig sa kabilang linya pagkatapos niyon. Nagalala ako nang magtagal iyon ng ilang segundo pa.

"Hey. What's wrong?" I worriedly asked.

"Don't hang this up. Give me a second," he answered.

Pagkatapos niyon ay nakadinig ako ng mahinang sigaw at kalabog. I am frightened because of the sound.

"Ugh! Why does she have to say that? She is making it harder for me. Damn."

"Hello? Are you still there, stranger?"

I heard his heavy breathing from the other line. I can't fully understand what he said earlier but an idea dawned on me. I refused to believe it. I have to confirm if my thoughts are true.

"Do you like me, Magnus?" I asked, eyes closed and fingers crossed. Oh, God. Help me.

Napaitlag ako ng marinig ang malakas na tunog ng pagbagsak ng telepono. Nabitawan niya yata. Pagkatapos ay naputol na ang linya.

"What the hell happened?"

I stared at my phone and tried to call him again but his number is unattended. Hindi ko binitawan ang phone ko dahil baka tumawag siya o kaya ay mag-text. I am freaking sweating because of the tension in my system. Hey, stranger! Look what you have done to me! You can make me more nervous than a thriller movie. Damn you!

I was startled when my phone vibrated. I abruptly stood up and checked it.

One message received.

Walang pag-aalinlangan ko iyong pinindot.

Magnus:

My eyes say it all. TWO 2-3-4.