Le Penchant

19| mabait lang pala

"Para kasing mga bata Bro!"

Napangiti ako. Chase was acting like a mom, I entertained myself by watching them from afar, Chase was holding the water-hose while Calixto cleansed the mud off his face.

"Arte mo," sagot naman ni Calixto, making me laugh.

Mabuti nalang at medyo malayo ako sa kanila, naririnig ko pa rin naman ang mga bangayan nila, but they didn't notice me since nakatalikod sila sa'kin.

"Mabuti nga at sinuway ko na kayo bago dumating si Mr. Pangilinan, ang mature-mature niyo pa naman," Chase sarcastically says.

"Engineer Hesquintes, ito na po ung paperbag," I looked up, seeing Aya.

I thanked her, kinuha ko na ang paperbag na naglalaman ng formal attire ko kanina. I went inside the nearest tent, nagtatrabaho na muli ang mga tauhan namin kaya naman nabakante ito. Mabilis akong nagpalit roon, mabuti nalang at pantsuit ang suot-suot ko kanina. It would've been hard to wear a skirt while I was in the site.

Hindi ko na kinalimutan magsuot ng boots na siyang dala-dala rin ni Aya, I sighed when I brushed my wet hair with my fingers. Para talaga kaming naligo, kinailangan kasi talagang alisin ang dami ng putik na nakabalot sa mga katawan namin.

"Miss Engineer! Ikaw ha, type mo pala si Sir Calixto," pang-aasar ni Dylan, na agad na lumapit sa'kin paglabas ko ng tent.

"Puntahan mo nga ung girlfriend mo," I challenged him, napalunok naman siya agad.

"H-hindi ko po—"

"Sus," pambabara ko.

Sasagot pa dapat si Dylan sa'kin, pero natigilan siya ng sabay naming makita na paparating na si Calixto rito. My eyes examined him, he didn't change his pants, it was still soaked with water. His pants was also a shade darker, dahil sa putik, it looked like Chase made Calixto borrow his shirt, hapit na hapit kasi ito sa katawan niya. I looked away, pretending that I didn't see him.

Napakunot ang noo ko nang tumawa si Dylan sa tabi ko, pinandilatan ko siya nang makitang onti-unti siyang lumalayo sa tabi ko, I was busy mouthing profanities at Dylan when I felt someone tap on my shoulders, agad akong napalingon.

"C-Calix," I cleared my throat, acknowledging him.

He flashed me a smile before smoothly running his hand through his hair. "I'm sorry," he laughed, clearly not looking sorry.

Inirapan ko siya habang nakangiti at umiling. "Ako dapat 'yon," I said, feeling guilty.

He smiled, nodding at me like it was nothing. Binulsa niya ang dalawa niyang kamay at bumuntong hininga, I remained stiff in my position while I looked at him.

"Dinner? Uh–later?"

His eyes showed panic when I looked slightly taken aback, but for some reason I masked my emotions with a smile.

"Saan?" I inquired, tightening my grip on the paperbag.

"I can cook for us, but maybe we could—"

"No! That sounds fine," I quickly said, blushing afterwards.

Aba'y bakit naman kasi ang bilis kong magsalita?

"Sabi mo, you'll treat me dinner," may halong panunuya ang tono ng boses niya, napakagat naman ako sa labi ko, sinabi ko nga pala 'yon.

"Right..." I muttered, suddenly feeling the awkwardness surround us. I looked down to avoid his gaze.

Libre lang pala ang habol? Ang yaman-yaman 'e.

"Let's meet at the elevator," pambabasag niya sa katahimikan.