Three words
“Oh Kirsh, you’re here. How long were you standing there?” I smiled at both of them because they just noticed my presence when in fact I’ve been watching them for the past 15 minutes.
“I see Cove’s also here. Come in hijo,” dad invited him. Just then was I reminded that he was with me. Cove greeted my parents and gave his respect to them, and as soon as he was done doing so my dad took him away. They seem really close now and treat each other as best of friends.
“Kirsh, mind if you help me prepare our food?” smiling mom asked.
“Sure, mommy I’ll just change my clothes.” She nodded at me and so I hurriedly climb the stairs. Ever since the last talk with my mom, there was an improvement in our relationship. The wall that was hindering us before was slowly crumbling. We bond more over the past few months despite being in the same house it seems that we were not running out of things to do. It was like we were catching up on the things we should’ve done before.
“Kirsh, you know after a few months I lost our second baby I’ve already forgiven you. I badly want to reach out to you, but I was thinking whether you would want to talk to me after everything I’ve said to you. So, I gave you space. It was not because I’m mad at you but I was thinking if you’re ready to accept me once again in your life. I saw the hesitation in your eyes every time I’m around,” said mom while we’re chilling by the pool. I stopped dipping my feet in the pool when I heard what she said. So, all those years that I thought she’s mad at me when in fact she was really not? She was thinking that I was not ready to accept her in my life because of the words she said before? And all along I was thinking that she’s done who is not comfortable around me but here I am bombarded with her own side of the story. I looked at her, lost.
“So, we spent those years for nothing?” Mom laughed with that thought but I saw tears continuously falling from her eyes.
“Yeah, I think we did,” she replied while looking at the stars above. After all, communication is still the key. Look at us, we interpreted each other’s action,s and look where it got us. Guilt and gap were the only fruit it bears us. But I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. What has happened between me and my mom may not be the most pleasant thing in the world, but I am confident that in a way it has strengthened our bond.
“You know Kirsh, your friend is a good guy. He’s respectful. I like him,” mom blurted out of the blue while we were preparing dinner. I gave her my what-the-hell-are-you-saying-look but she just laughed at me. Did Cove bewilder them? This is just the second time they’re meeting him but she can conclude all those sorts of things?
“You know I’m right, Kirsh. Look at them, he and your dad are having a good time. And also, he can tolerate your attitude,” I squinted my eyes at mom before directing my gaze at Cove and dad who are enjoying their swimming sesh.
They were both just wearing board shorts and they had these silly smiles on their face. And then they both got out of the pool but my attention was fully on Cove. Droplets of water were streaming down from his hair then it went down to his chiselled chest and slowly reaching his not-so-perfect but gorgeous six-pack abs. And then—
“Kirsche!” I was snapped out of reverie because of dad shouting at me and he was even snapping his fingers in front of me. Since when was he there?
“Y-yes, dad?”
“I was asking you if the dinner’s ready.” But his question fell into deaf ears because my attention was focused on something… or rather someone else. Cove was now drying his hair with a towel but damn! Why were all his actions in slow motion? I just snapped out of it when he met my gaze. I don’t know what kind of emotion my face was producing that time, but he has that goofy smile plastered on his face as he broke his stare with me and shook his head.
To preserve the small amount of decency left in me, I turned my back at him and hurriedly went to the dining area. Moments later he and dad entered the room and were perfectly clothe. I glanced at Cove who was now wearing a black t-shirt that was a little too big for him, shorts, and some vans. He looked like those guys from La Salle. I was busy checking him out that I didn’t notice he was looking at me already and has that goofy smile again. He has that look saying if I’m done checking him out. I scoffed at him which earn me a laugh from him.
The whole dinner I avoided looking at Cove despite feeling his gaze towards me. I busied myself engaging in conversation with my mom and dad. But of course, Cove will always be in the conversation, and even when I needed to answer his question, I dared not give him any glance at all. My embarrassment for this day exceeded its limit already. And I don’t know why I felt all those sorts of feelings. I was like bewildered by him suddenly.
“Before I forgot hijo, does your family have any plans this coming break?” My forehead creased upon hearing dad’s question.
“None, Tito but we usually don’t do anything during the break. We just stay at home.” Dad’s face lightened up because of his reply and he said things that made me nervous.
“Then by any means join us! We’re planning to go to Subic this break; to Inflatable Island. Tell your parents that I’m inviting you so that Kirsh will not be bored out.” I badly want to tell dad that I’m fine with just us but they will surely be confused as to why I don’t want Cove to tag along.
“Sure, Tito for sure Awy will be elated by this news,” smiling Cove answered. Dad looked at me with a smile plastered on his face and so I forced a smile despite wanting to oppose his plan. Yey, can’t wait for the trip.
“I had a great time, Tito despite me giving way so that you can win,” he said teasing dad.
“Hey young man, I earned those wins. I can still swim faster than you despite my age. You still need lots of practice,” and they both laughed at dad’s retort, “And don’t forget the invitation, ‘kay?” Cove smilingly nodded at dad before he bid them goodbye and I still need to usher him out. I told dad that he’s fine by himself but he insisted because apparently, Cove’s a visitor. So here I am, sporting a poker face like nothing embarrassing happened earlier.
“Bye, be safe,” I said upon reaching our gate and immediately turned my back at him.
“You’re so weird today, Kirsh,” he added that made me stop in my tracks. I contemplated on whether I’ll answer him and pretend to not know what he was talking about or just continue walking and completely ignore him.
“I’m perfectly fine,” in the end I chose to pretend not knowing anything and turned to look at him to prove my point.
“You can’t fool me, Kirsh but if you’re too embarrass with what happened today, I’ll just pretend that I didn’t see how you stare at my body,” he rebutted while having that goofy smile yet again.I just want to vanish like bubbles this instant for the fact that he saw all those things.
“You see, Cove stop being conceited and thinking so highly of yourself. I wasn’t staring at you. That was you being delusional,” he leaned at our gate as he put both of his hands inside his shorts’ pocket while intently looking at me. I badly want to walk away but it seems that my feet have their own mind. They won’t move!
“Tell me honestly, Kirsh,” and his face becomes serious. My heart started beating erratically because I think I know what he’s about to ask, “Do you like me?” My jaw dropped with the boldness of his question. And there was no hint of humor in his eyes. He was looking at me with scrutinizing eyes; like he’s digging deeper into my soul. I straightened my back, crossed my arms to my chest and I fight his stares. He shouldn’t know that I, too, don’t know the answer to his question. That I’m also confused with what I’m feeling.
“No,” seriously and shortly I answered. He didn’t speak up but moments later he suddenly laughed. I can’t help but to be piss.
“If you say so, I’ll go ahead then. Thank you,” and he turned his back at me but before he can truly go, he uttered those three words. Three freaking words but it managed to mess with my whole system.
“But I do.”