I Could Fall

Chapter Sixteen

I didn't see Ali again after that. Tuwing pumupunta ako sa bahay nila ay wala rin siya. Atticus said his brother moved out of their mansion. May sarili na raw itong condo pero hindi niya alam kung saan.

Mas nanaig ang takot kaysa kalungkutan sa akin. It reminded me of how I never saw him for five years. I'm scared that it will take another five years before I see him again. Ang tangi ko lang pwedeng gawin ay panghawakan ang sinabi niya at umasa na totoo 'yon.

I just hope that my understanding of the reason why he's staying way is correct. That maybe he's placing a distance between us because it isn't the right time for us yet—because he's twenty-two and I'm only sixteen. I'm still a minor and the law would say that he's corrupting me.

Kahit ang ibang mga tao ay paniguradong may masasabi. Even Kuya Xavi was violently against a relationship between me and Ali. Kung dati ay suportado niya ang pagkakaroon ko ng puppy love kay Ali, now it's different. The situation is different now. I'm not the same eleven year old who's innocently crushing on someone who's way older than me.

I'm more... curious now. I can't help but bite my lip whenever I remember our kiss. My very first and it's with Ali. And he even kissed me back! It was brief and he looked like he regret it afterwards but still... he returned my kiss.

Masyado pa akong bata. Alam ko naman. I just... really like him. Is that so bad?

"Merry Christmas, Hyon!" Atticus handsomely grinned on the screen. It was so contagious that I can't stop myself from smiling back.

"Merry Christmas kahit na hindi pa Christmas dito," I giggled.

Like always, we went to Orléans to celebrate Christmas vacation. It's been a family tradition. My father is part French and my grandmother lives in Orléans plus this country played a big role in my parents' relationship.

Atticus kept in contact with me althroughout the Christmas break. Hindi naman ako madalas makapag-reply sa messages niya dahil sa family activities. Ngayong Christmas ay nag-Facetime siya sa akin sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon.

His signature smile that looked like a smirk came out. "I know. Six pa lang d'yan diba? Where are you?"

"Yup. At my grandparents' house. Ikaw? How's Christmas Eve there?"

"Just a small family gathering at our house."

He switched to the rear camera and slowly showed me their pool area. Sa madamong bahagi ay may mahabang rectangular table ang naka-set up. There were people caught in the camera, too. Kahit isa ay wala akong nakilala.

"Oh. Kuya!" bigla niyang tawag at matapos ay naging magulo ang video siguro ay dahil sa pagmamadali. "Greet Hyon."

Before I can even react, the camera switched in front and Ali's face was plastered on the screen. My heartbeat immediately sped up. Halos hindi nga ako makahinga dahil ngayon ko lang ulit siya nakita.

He looked so caught off guard as he stared at the screen. It only took him a few seconds to recover. He licked his lips.

"Merry Christmas, Hyon," his voice was deep and even through speaker phone, its effect on me was undeniable.

My chest squeezed tight. I honestly can't breathe! Mainit ang mukha ko at mabuti na lang hindi kita sa camera ang pamumula ko.

"M-Merry Christmas," I stammered while intently staring at Ali's face. He was still looking at me, too. Mukhang walang planong itaboy ang phone mula sa kanya.

I heard Atticus chuckle before He moved the phone away from his brother and focused the camera on him again.

"He can't hear you. I'm using my Airpods."