Below The Tide (Charity Series #1)

• Thirty Two •

Betina Tiara

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Kakatapos lang namin kumain nang yayain ako ni Zen papunta sa taas, sa liit ng bahay n'ya ay malamang-- kwarto ang tinutukoy n'ya. Nag-ayos muna 'ko ng pinagkainan namin.

"Let’s go... upstairs?"

Tumingin ako sandali sa oras ng cellphone ko, "Is it okay to stay this long?"

"It’s okay, Betina. I want you to stay here longer. So let’s go?" nasa tapat siya ng hagdan at handa nang umakyat, inabot n'ya sa akin ang isang kamay.

Since we're not yet finish with his story... fine. I want to hear more.

Ngumiti ako at inabot na lang ang kamay n'ya.

Narinig ko siyang bahagyang natawa nang maghawak ang kamay namin, "Don’t worry. I swear I won’t do anything weird to you," kinindatan n'ya pa ako.

What does that mean?

Inaalalayan ko si Zen nang matanong ko sa kan'ya ang tungkol sa bahay na ito. Hindi naman gano'n ka-big deal sa akin na may artistang nakatira sa simpleng village at bahay na ganito pero gusto ko lang marinig ang kwento ro'n. Sa pagkakaalam ko kasi... 'yung mga sikat na artista ay nakatira sa isang exclusive subdivision at may mala-mansyon na bahay-- gaya ni Claudius na isang mayaman na CEO.

"It’s too quiet here, ‘no? It’s nice and simple that you are living in a place like this. Since when did you live here?" tanong ko.

"Hmm... I lived here since high school."

Saka ko naalala na sinabi n'ya sa akin noon na 16 years old siya nang lumayas siya sa kanila...

"Luckily, I was able to pay the rent with the money I saved up." he chuckled, "It’s cheap but... what I like the best of this house is this one..."

Pagbukas namin nang kwarto n'ya, una kong nakita ay ang verendra nito. Bukas ang sliding door na bahagya pang hinahangin ang puting kurtina. Sarado ang ilaw ng kwarto pero nagbibigay liwanag ang buwan mula sa labas.

He smiled and held my hand tighter, "I like view like this... do you remember the floor lamp I bought in a department store?"

I nodded. Of course I remembered... he's such a flirty ass that time.

Lumakad siya palapit sa kama at may kung anong pinindot sa gilid, nang magbukas ang liwanag ay doon ko lang nakita na 'yun na pala 'yung binili n'yang lamp floor sa mall.

The room suddenly became a starry sky...

I also remembered how I first saw this beautiful scenery. We were lying on the model bed, both watching the whirling starry sky at the ceiling knowing there are a lot of people around that might see us...

It's funny how we’re both watching it again-- but this time, in his room, alone together.

He sat on his bed and tapped his side, prompting me to sit beside him.

"I’m so sorry for making you go this late, but know that I’m very happy you came," he looked up to me with a gentle gaze, "I mean it, Betina."

I laughed inwardly and finally sat beside him, "Then I’m glad I’m making you happy."

"You always, milady."

Sinandal n'ya ang dalawa n'yang kamay sa kama at tumingala. Pinagmasdan namin pareho ang magandang kisame n'ya. Kung may melow sound lang dito, baka nakatulog na 'ko. Hindi na rin kasi n'ya kailangan buksan pa ang aircon, sapat na ang hangin na nanggagaling sa verendra.