Naked Series #2: Reveal My Soul (COMPLETE)

Chapter 17

Sadly, we flew home on Sunday evening. Wala naman kaming masyadong ginawa sa rest house ni Caden kung hindi ang humiga, kumain, at mag-usap lang. I refused his offer to tour me around because I know he was exhausted from his trip in Australia. Gusto kong magpahinga lang siya.

I honestly thought I won't last a day alone with him without awkwardness or feeling nervous all the time. But that feeling literally vanished after our trip in Tagaytay. Naging komportable na ako sa kaniya . We just talk about work, his trip, and more.

"Today is your last day, right?" Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Caden ng bigla siyang magtanong.

I nod. "Yeah. I already got my certificate of completion and stuffs a while ago, so I'm settled." Simpleng sabi ko at binalik ang tingin sa pagkain.

As usual, I'm here in his office, eating with him. Bumalik kami sa routine na 'to matapos ang trip namin sa Tagaytay kaya todo ang simangot ni Nez dahil hindi niya na naman ako nakakasabay. I told her to eat with Crim but she didn't answer.

Sa tingin ko may malaking away na nangyari sa kanila ni Crim dahil dalawang linggo na makalipas simula nung makita ko silang magkasama. Nez is avoiding my brother while Crim looks colder and more ruthless. I also saw him with another woman and Nez cried when I told her that. I actually felt guilty because I wasn't aware about their quarrel that time so I couldn't do anything than be with my friend.

Simula nung naging malapit kami ni Caden, saka naman nag-away ang dalawa.

"And your graduation will be next year?"

I nod and smile.

"By the fifth of the month, I think? I'm not sure."

Lumutang ang isip ko matapos kong sumagot sa kaniya.

Isang taon na lang pala at...magtatagumpay na ako sa plano. Isang taon na lang pala at matatapos na ang lahat ng ito. At oo nga pala, nagpapanggap pala ako bilang Lilac.

Bigla akong nawalan ng gana sa maisip iyon.

I haven't think about that since our trip in Tagaytay because no one called me Lilac since then. Bahay at work lang ako tapos hindi na din ganon ka-hectic ang schedule ni Caden kaya stay office lang ako. I'm completely myself since our Tagaytay trip at ngayon ko lang naalala na pagpapanggap lang ang lahat ng ito.

Iyon ang laman ng isip ko hanggang sa paghatid sa akin ni Caden sa bahay. Hatid sundo niya na kasi ako simula nung umuwi kami galing Tagaytay kaya nakasanayan na.

"I'll be going out with my cousins tonight."

Nasa sala kami ng bahay nang sabihin niya 'yon. Hindi ko alam kung bakit siya nagpapaalam sa akin tuwing umaalis siya kasama ng mga kaibigan o pinsan niya dahil wala naman akong dapat na pakialam doon.

I just nod. "Just don't drink too much because you'll still drive your way home..." I said with so much concern before I could stop myself.

Tumindig ang balahibo ko ng tumaas ang sulok ng labi niya sa nakakaakit na paraan. Natulala tuloy ako sa labi niya. His lips looks like an red and delicious apple and it's surely taste sweet too.

I swallow and turn away. Ano bang iniisip mo, Amber!

"Alright..." He said with a hoarse voice.

Muling nanindig ang balahibo ko.

"O-Okay... Take care." Umatras ako na namumula ang pisngi.

Nakaakyat na ako sa unang baitang ng hagdan nang maramdaman ko ang paghawak niya sa kamay ko. It was soft and surreal to feel to the point that I think it's not real, but when he pulled me to face him. I saw his big and calloused hand holding my small one. My heart dropped and beat so fast because of it.