AFRAID TO FALL (Filipino novella)

“Do you like me, Vince?” There was a slight twitch in the corner of his eyes. His mouth popped open and closed. She waited for a reaction. She waited for any other movement from him. For any sound that would slip past his lips. Anything… But then he laughed. “You’re messing with me, right? Come on, hindi mo ako madadali sa mga gan’yan.” Of course, he would react this way. Pero hindi siya nagpatinag. “I’m serious, Vince.” Napahinto ito sa pagtawa. There was a sudden uncertainty in his face. Hinawakan siya nito sa magkabilang balikat at sandaling tumungo. Nang mag-angat itong muli ng tingin sa kanya, may kalkuladong ngiti na ito sa mga labi. “I can’t like you, Aya. You know that.”