Every Bad Thing

Chapter Seven

Nitong mga nakaraang weekdays ay palaging pumupunta si Silas tuwing madaling araw. He really goes out of his way para lang masamahan ako sa pag jog. Imbis na sa kung saan estate man siya nakatira ay sa amin siya tumatakbo.

Ever since I brought him to my room  last week, hindi na muli siyang pumasok sa loob ng bahay namin. Sa labas na lang siya lagi naghihintay. He didn't want to risk it. Nung lumabas kami ng kwarto nung araw na iyon ay putlang-putla siya. He was that terrified to get caught.

If Silas was just like my past boy toys, they would have asked how high if I told them to jump—they'd be panting if I brought them to my room. Baka pagkapasok pa lang sa kwarto ay may halikan agad na magaganap.

But Silas was anything but my boy toys. He's different. In fact, we were in my room, he maintained his distance like I've got a contagious disease. He's just too good. He's way too good for me, actually.

I was heaving when we finished our last lap and reached their SUV. His personal driver handed us both face towels and two water bottles. Uminom kami pareho para mapawi ang hingal. Actually, ako lang ang hinihingal.

"I lasted longer than yesterday." masayang sabi ko kahit hinihingal pa.

Tumango si Silas. "You did good."

I wonder if this affects Silas' performance. He probably cut back his usual training and work out just to train with me. Our laps are probably just walk on the park for him, pero dahil kasama niya ako ay kailangan niyang magtyaga sa ganoon. Maybe I need to work harder?

I shook my head at him. "Just good isn't enough. I have to be great, para makasabay ako sa'yo."

"You don't have to be great or do anything, Laurene. I'd slow down for you." maamong sabi nito.

Umiling ako. No way. Seryosong tumingin ako sa kanya. "I'll train more."

He watched me. I think he's trying to read me through my face. Tunango siya sa akin. "Okay, do what you want. I'll help you."

I just smiled widely at him and nodded. Kagaya ng dati ay hinatid niya muna ako pabalik sa tapat ng gate ng bahay namin bago tuluyang umalis.

It was already six kaya hindi na ako nagulat nang makita ang buong pamilya maliban kay Kuya Xavi sa dining table. The table's already set up, but they haven't eaten yet. Palagi naman nila ako hinihintay sa pagkain ng ganitong oras.

"Good morning, my pamily." nakangising sabi ko at unang lumapit sa kay Mommy at Daddy para humalik sa kanilang pisngi.

"I told you to ask Silas to join us for breakfast, Laurene." sabi ni Daddy.

"I always ask him but he always declines. Mahiyain kasi yun, Dy."

"You jogged with Silas again?" my twin asked. He's sporting a deep scowl on his face.

"Yeah." tumango ako at umupo sa upuan na katabi ng kanya.

"Silas is a really good and decent guy, L."

I nodded and looked at him with confusion. "I know that."

"If you're not serious and just playing with him because you're bored, you better stop. He's not that kind of guy."

Namula ang mukha ko. Hindi ko alam kung dahil sa pagkapahiya o galit dahil sa pinaparatang sa akin ng sarili kong kambal. Pareho yata.

"And I'm that kind of girl? The kind who plays because she's bored?" I asked.

Alam kong totoo naman ito, before Silas, I fooled around a lot and my brothers know that all too well. It's just... they never did this to me before. They never subtly warned me off someone. At sariling kambal ko pa talaga?