II
"Who are you?" It was more of a sarcastic question because Leighton knew exactly who was his new neighbor.
"Are you kidding me? You buzzed and then asked me that?" Kunot-noong tugon sa kanya ni Kay. Pagsasaraduhan na niya si Leighton ng pinto ngunit pinigilan siya nito at sapilitan pa ngang pumasok sa loob ng kanyang unit.
Nang maisara ni Kay ang pinto, sinipat siya ni Leighton mula ulo hanggang paa. Kay's hair was a mess. He was barefooted and wearing a loose sweatshirt. Aside from the dark circles underneath his eyes, the hickeys on his neck and exposed collarbone were very hard to ignore.
"You're a mess. Parang hindi ka pa natutulog," komento ni Leighton.
Kay shrugged. "What can I do? My work piled up..."
Leighton felt glad that Kay was stressed from work, whatever it was. Dahil doon ay wala itong oras para lumabas pa.
"And why are you here?" Kay asked.
"I am your lover, that's why," said Leighton like it's the most obvious thing in the world. Binuksan niya ang kanyang satchel bag at may kinuha doong mangilang stack ng papel. Seryoso niya iyong iniabot kay Kay. "Here. I need you to answer these."
Nagtatakang inabot iyon ni Kay. "Hindi naman siguro ito problem set? Ayaw mong nagpapatalo ka sa akin sa academics, tama?"
"Basahin mo na kasi," iritableng sabi ni Leighton.
"Oh..." Pagkamangha ang rumehistro sa mukha ni Kay habang binabasa ang nakasulat sa papel na ibinigay sa kanya. Moments later, he smiled and looked as if he's doing his best not to burst in laughter. "This... is... embarassing. It's not even as formal as a bio data sheet. Ano ba ang pumasok sa isip mo at—"
"I just want to know more about you. I don't care about your absurd logic, pero hindi ba mas nakakahiya kung tatanungin ko iyan sa iyo verbally?"
Wala nang sinabi si Kay. He went to his temporary workspace and reached for a pen. Naupo siya sa kama at nagsagot. Leighton sat beside him and was nosing on whatever he's writing.
"What?! No shit?" Bulalas ni Leighton matapos isulat ni Kay ang kanyang exact birthdate. "I know you're older than me... but I don't expect you to be that old... o niloloko mo lang ako?" A ten-year age gap must be really a joke. Kay looked nothing older than any sophomores in their university.
Ngumiti lang si Kay. "Nasa desk ang passport ko. Puwede mong i-compare kung tama ang nakalagay na birthdate doon sa isinulat ko dito."
Umiwas ng tingin sa kanya si Leighton. Hindi napigilan ni Kay ang sarili. Ipinaling niyang muli paharap sa kanya ang mukha ni Leighton. He always liked seeing him red-faced. "Upset? I told you you're not to overrule me because I'm—"
Kay knew it was trouble the instant Leighton leaned forward and kissed him. He did not even resist when he was being pinned down the bed.
"I'm not upset. I'm just thrilled... because you're mine. You have chosen to be mine and that already closed our gap."
