Have You Wonder

Worth the Bet

A fresh new week means a fresh new start from an exhausting and stressful work week but I'll never get used to Mondays that are full of traffic and full-packed passengers. The queueing in the bus station is never-ending despite the two and half hours of travel time allotted.

Thank God, after standing in line and waiting for almost two hours, I'm finally riding the bus. I wish I won't be late and get stuck in traffic.

As always, I looked for a seat right next to the window but couldn't find one. I just sighed from disappointment. I walked through the aisle hoping there will still be a seat for me but I failed.

I was about to give up and was able to sit in the furthermost when somebody grabbed my wrist. I gasped from shock. I looked at the guy and it was another bait to make me believe about fate, destiny, or serendipity. What is he doing here when he has his car? I doubt he was just taking chances.

"I was calling for you but you keep on ignoring me." He sounds like sulking. It's as if I knew he was calling for me with these earphones, right?

"Sorry, this was plugged onto my ears," I told him while pulling away from my earphones so I could hear him clearly.

I was kinda surprised that he moved a little as if giving me a way to sit right next to the window.

"I'm pretty sure you were looking for this spot so I'll give you mine." He smiled brightly while gesturing his hand that I should go and grab a seat.

The people starts looking at me as I was idly standing in the aisle, causing difficulty for the other people who were about to take a seat to the furthermost of the bus to pass through. So I stop having these hesitations and take the seat he was offering.

I was about to pass through him when the bus suddenly moved then took a rough break which made me lose my balance. The next thing I knew was I am already sitting but not on the chair but Luke's lap.

Everyone was busy shouting and complaining about the recklessness of the driver but I was busy panicking at what happened and in the position I am in right now.

We were both flabbergasted at the incident so I immediately stand up and gather myself from this humiliating scenario. This is so...

"A-are you okay?" He queried without looking at me as I was pulling myself to sit right next to him.

Well, even I, I couldn't manage to look straight in the eye after what happened. I mean, he just confessed his feelings for me last week then I suddenly just sit on his lap. It was an accident, I get it. But still, it is humiliating.

He must be regretting giving me this seat.

"Y-yeah, I'm okay. I'm s-sorry." I shyly responded.

"N-no...no. Don't be. It was an accident. It's not like you wanted to sit on...."

"O-okay! Okay. Maybe let's leave it there. Let's not.... let's stop talking about it." I exclaimed and fortunately, he immediately shut his mouth.

After a few minutes, the bus finally departed. I put my earphones on as I stared out of the window. I am having a hard time recovering from the humiliation.

Five songs from my playlist ended when he suddenly tap on my bag. I looked at him with my furrowed brows but here's another humiliation for me.

The conductor of the bus was asking for the bus fare but I couldn't hear him because of my earphones so Luke just caught my attention by tapping on my bag. But here I am, getting annoyed at the innocent man.

"Oh-oh. I-I'm sorry." I panicked and for some reason, I couldn't find my wallet inside my bag. I rummaged within my bag but still couldn't find it then my phone dropped on the floor.

"Charged it for two," Luke said to the conductor as he pays for the bus fare.

I just want to be swallowed from where I am sitting right now or just pop like a bubble. This is not the right way to start your Monday, Enzey! Now, how can you save yourself from humiliation?

I took a glance at him, trying to find the right timing to say sorry but he was just trying his best to hold his smile back. Those dimples must be illegal!

"What's funny? Do you find me shamelessly funny?" I asked but he just looked at me while biting his lip, stopping himself not to smile anymore as he saw I am serious.

"Of course not." He protested.

"Then what's funny??" I complained.

"Nothing. I just find you cute. You are like a... hedgehog." He said while smiling childishly.

Enzey, don't let yourself be deceived by that deceitful smile.

"A hedgehog?! Do you mean the small spiky animal?" I exclaimed.

"Yeah. You look so adorable yet a little bit spiky on the outside but such squishingly lovely deep inside." He explained and I just don't get why I feel some butterflies upon hearing that.

Since when did I learn that being compared to a hedgehog sounds flattering.

"Looking at you makes me want to have you and take care of you with all the love I can give." He added.

I couldn't stand his cuteness. D*mn, Luke. Why are you ruining my peace? I know I said that I will give it a try and let him express his intentions but I just couldn't handle his straightforwardness and sincerity. He is quite convincing like I can give it a try without any doubt. Why are you shaking me up, Luke?

"Well, I heard hedgehog are loveable but they're quite snobbish and doesn't care about their owner." I blurted.

"That's fine with me. I never intended to own her, in the first place. All I want is for her to feel loved and safe. That...is more than enough. No, actually, that means a lot." He looked at me straight to the eyes as if he was meaning each word to me.

"Love is not love if it's one way. That can be considered as an obsession." I implied, trying to win this game of words.

"You wouldn't feel loved if you don't know how to love. You'll know it is love that you've been receiving from that person because you feel the same way too." He smiled as if he has the upper hand in this game.

"Just make sure you'll never lose your main reason for wanting her, to make her feel safe and loved." I looked at his eyes and his pupil dilated as he realized what I've been meaning about it.

"Or else your hedgehog pet will never get out of his pet house." I giggled as I shift the direction of our conversation.

"Ouch!" He clenched his left chest as if he is suffering from chest pain.

"Hey! Why? What's wrong?" I queried in panic.

"Guess my hedgehog cares a lot about me." He blurted as he stops acting up. He giggled at his foolish act.

"Wait, what??? Did you just..." I smacked his left shoulder as I was so annoyed that I fell for his lies.

"Hey! That's intense." He complained while laughing. His playfulness almost gives me a heart attack.

"I hate you," I exclaimed as I crossed my arms and turned my back as I was sulking for being fooled.

"Well, hating someone means you feel for that person. I think that's great progress than being someone who's nothing but a stranger you fell asleep on his shoulder at. Guess I start growing into you." He proudly mumbled.

I just shrugged my shoulder as if I don't buy what he says.

But maybe he's right. Maybe he starts growing into me. Maybe it's the start of letting someone express his feelings than straight rejection. I never said I can just jump into a new relationship in a week or two, but letting them show their intentions is a huge leap for me.

The conductor shouted the name of our bus stop so we decided to stand up from our seats and start walking towards the door. But as soon as the driver stepped on the brake real hard, I start losing my balance once again but this time I made sure I won't fall.

"Are you okay?" He looked at me worriedly.

"Y-yeah. I'm good." I replied while holding on to the steel ring handle real tight.

"Don't worry, I won't let you fall at the wrong place when I'm around. I'll make sure of that." He whispered.

My eyes were wide open as I heard him say those. I know it's just some sort of pick-up line but it gives me shiver to my spine. I'm not sure what specifically am I feeling right now but what I'm sure is Luke...he's starting to grow in me. He starts digging something within me that would make me look forward each day.

Something I never used to have for the past seven years. Something that would make me want to think about for the next few weeks, months, or maybe more. Something I've been denying for the longest time because of the pain I've been through.

Architect Lucas Suarez, are you worth betting for?