uncle the next time we meet.
~
To my surprise, he let me take the front seat. I was about to decline but he insisted, so I obeyed.
Anthony bought food for the two of us on a nearby fastfood chain.
"Where are we going?" I asked him, unable to stand the suspense.
"Just wait and see. We're just buying out time. The surprise might get spoiled if we get there ahead of time," he said as
he settled the food in the back.
We drove for a couple of minutes more and I noticed we were driving away from the city. I knew
that he had no intention
of telling me where we're going so I enjoyed the silence and fidgeted my phone.
He glanced over to me.
"You changed your wallpaper?"
I blinked.
"What?"
"It's not my picture anymore," he said casually.
So he did that on purpose.
"What made you think I'd use that wallpaper any longer?" I teased.
"Because I haven't changed mine," he handed me his phone that still had a photo of me
sleeping as his wallpaper.
I grabbed the opportunity and quickly deleted my photo from his phone.
"What are you doing?" he said, eyes on the road.
"Nothing." I lied as I handed his phone back. He glanced at it and noticed that my photo was gone.
"I swear I'd get another one," he said.
"If you can," I dared him.
~
Anthony suddenly parked on an empty lot. He turned the engine and lights off.
"Why are we here?"
He glanced at his watch. "To... see... this!"
Then I thought he was just pointing at nothing outside the car. When I followed his gaze I saw
beautiful fireflies dancing in the dark.
For a moment I just stared at the sight. I was so engrossed that I didn't notice he got out of the
car and opened the door to my side.
He assisted me out and we leaned on his car to get a closer look at the fireflies.
"They're beautiful."
"I know."
We were silent for the next few moments and he suddenly said, "I wonder if they're that
beautiful when they dance inside my stomach too."
"Huh?"
"You know, butterflies in the stomach. I usually feel them when I'm around you."
Just then I felt the butterflies in my stomach begin partying.
~
Chapter 15
“Drei? Drei?”
Oh come on. It’s Saturday and I stil have to be up early? I shut my eyes tighter, willing myself not to hear the voice again.
“Drei?”
There it goes again. Nanny, won’t you just leave me alone?
“We’re almost there.”
Nanny? With voice like that?
Finally, I opened my eyes and saw a dashboard in front of me. I realized I was in someone’s
car. In…
“Good morning!” Anthony greeted me as I straightened up in my seat.
I spent the next moments staring blankly at the road dimmed by the night.
“I’m sorry.” I mumbled, realization sinking in.
“For falling asleep?” he chuckled. “I’m the one who’s supposed to apologize. I was on the phone
too long and I even spent more time taking pictures of the scene outside, so no wonder you
dozed off. And besides, I should’ve known you were tired. Your ankle has been making usual
tasks harder to do.”
I blinked absentmindedly. It was difficult to handle sleepiness and embarrassment at the same
time.
“Are you okay?”
I nodded once.
He laughed softly. “Guess you’re stil shaking off sleep. Wel , don’t bother. Save some of it
‘cause we’re blocks away from your house.”
As he said that, I took in the road we were on and realized he was right. I felt so embarrassed
for falling asleep like that. I can’t even look at him.
Silence filled the car as we neared our house. He was pulling into the driveway when I noticed
someone opening the front door.
Anthony cut the engine off. Before we got out the car, I glanced at the open front door and
realized there were two figures emerging to meet us. But I only saw the tall guy. The other
person was behind him.
I shut the car door and took a few steps forward. Anthony’s eyes were already on me when I
looked at him. I nodded slightly and we started toward the house.
As we got close, I realized the guy was Drew, with a meaningful smile on his face. I made a
mental note to erase that look once I got near him.
My uncle cleared his throat before speaking. “You’ve kept us waiting,” his tone with pretentious
resentment. Wait till I speak to you after this, Drew.
Just then the person behind him showed up.
“Mom!” I hugged her, momentarily forgetting everyone around me, even Anthony.
She squeezed me tightly. “I miss you.”
Again, Drew cleared his throat.
I was pulled back to the present and I turned to Anthony. “Right. Uhh Anthony, this is my Mom,
Mom this is Anthony.”
“Your…?” Drew continued and I elbowed his side. “Ow!” he complained silently.
Mom smiled politely at Anthony and it surprised me that he returned it with a shy grin. He used
to be so confident when he faces people.
She gestured that we all go inside. Anthony fell in step beside her as we entered, continuing
their conversation. Drew smiled mischievously on my side as I glared at him.
“When did she arrive?” I asked, ignoring his silent tease.
“Shortly after you called. But I explained to her that you were with someonesafe so she need not worry.”
“Thanks.” I said shyly.
“Anytime.” He ruffled my hair, just in time Anthony glanced at us and Mom disappeared into the
kitchen. Why did he always have to see that?
I smiled sheepishly at him. “Err. Thanks again, Drew.” I told my uncle. He understood the cue
and left.
“Your mom’s real y nice,” Anthony said as I neared him.
I smiled in affirmation.
Dinner was served shortly as we settled at the dining table.
“Mom, maybe Anthony needs to go already. It’s late,” I told her as she set a dish in front of us
and Nanny placed the glasses.
“I just called his parents. They said it was okay,” she winked at me.
What?
“Uhh, real y?” I answered stupidly.
“Yes.” Drew appeared from nowhere and took an apple from the centerpiece. He vanished from
sight just as abruptly as he appeared.
“Aren’t you joining us?” I asked Mom as she emerged from the kitchen again.
“We’ve already eaten,” she placed the
