[Chapter 5]

Ashrielle's POV

"You could turn on the radio if you want" dinig kong sabi ni Trevor, diretso ang tingin nitong nagmamaneho. But I did not listen. I'm too preoccupied with how the hell I did still end up in the car of this man! Ilang pakiusap na ang ginawa ko at ilang pilit na ngiti ang binigay ko kay daddy, pero para yatang hindi n'ya nakukuha ang gusto kong sabihin. I crossed my feet and arms in annoyance, making my dress crumple upwards, which showed my bare legs. I did not mind pulling it down since it's not really that exposing, and I was used to it. As I slightly leaned my head towards the window, an exaggerated cough enveloped my ears. I looked at him swiftly. His face is grim, but his ears and neck are red. Is he sick?

"Hey, are you... okay?" I asked him. He coughed again when I asked. He looks shocked. What's so shocking about asking if he's okay?

"I'm good. Don't worry" He said after composing his self.

Though I did not believe him. He seems sick. What if mahawa ako? Omg, I cannot.

Maya-maya lamang ay may padami na ng padami ang mga nakikita kong tao. Maraming nag bebenta sa magkabilang kalsada at rinig ko ang ingay ng bayan. Sa dulo ng kahabaan nito ay isang malaking lumang church. Medyo bumagal ang andar nang sasakyan dahil sa dami ng taong namimili at tumatawid, ilang minuto pa ang itinagal namin sa gitna ng daan nang pihitin n'ya pakanan ang manibela at itinigil ang sasakyan sa parking space. Nanatili ang katahimikan sa loob lang ng sasakyan, ni isa sa aming dalawa ay walang nagsasalita at gumagalaw. It felt so awkward.

"So, what are we actually gonna do? Hmm?" I bluntly asked.

"Oh! We'll go to the church first. After that, we will look around. Baka may magustuhan kang bilhin dito, they have lots of local products here." He said. Scratching his and smiled at me. "Shall we?" Pagkatapos ay mabilis siyang bumaba nang sasakyan at umikot para pagbuksan ako ng pinto. I smiled with him, he looks so gentleman.

The warm breeze and sunlight immediately hugged me as soon as I jumped off the car. I turned my gaze to Trevor, seeing him wearing sunglasses. He looks like a cowboy in the countryside. While I looked like he's little sister, as we go through the crowd, I always get bumped into someone else, causing distance between me and Trevor. As soon as he noticed it, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me closer to him. Even until we reached the gate of the church, he did not let go of my hand.

I feel like many pairs of eyes are looking at us. And when I looked around, I realized my suspicion was right. Every passing person looks at us and suddenly whispers to each other or grins. It felt really uncomfortable.

Bago pa man kami makapasok sa simbahan ay sinita ko na ang nakahawak niyang kamay sa akin.

"Uhm... hindi naman na siksikan ang tao dito. Pwede mo na ako bitawan." I said as I looked at him.

"Sorry" He doesn't look sorry. More like hesitant... or a bit sad. I don't know. His eyes is too mysterious, it's scares me. Even if he no longer holding me, the warmth, and his touch's still lingering in my wrist.

Naunang maglakad si Trevor sa akin kaya ngayon ay sinusundan ko s'ya. Nakita kong kakaunti ang mga naka upo sa harap kaya siguro sa pangalawang hilera ng mga upuan ako dinala ni Trevor. Sandali lamang akong umupo at lumuhod agad para sa taimtim na panalangin. Ilang sandali lang ay naramdaman kong may lumuhod din sa tabi ko dahil bahagyang lumubog ang niluluhuran ko. Pagtapos kong manalangin ay agad dumapo ang paningin ko sa katabi. Mahigpit na magka daop ang mga kamay niya, nakapikit na akala mo ay natutulog lang at nakatuko ang ulo sa magka daop na kamay. Ang payapa niya tignan sa ganitong sitwasyon. Nagulat ako sa bigla niyang pag angat nang ulo, tanda na tapos na siyang magdasal, agad naman akong napatayo at umupo bigla sa kaba. Paano ba naman kasi, nahuli niya akong nakatingin sa kanya. Bigla tuloy akong ginapangan ng hiya. Hmp!

"Are you done?" Ani Trevor. Tumango naman ako dito at saka inanyayahan na akong lumabas.