Cats and Hickeys

v. touch

CHAPTER FIVE
Touch

INABALA KO ang sarili sa umaga dahil wala akong planong buksan ang flower shop kaya tinuon ko ang atensyon sa pag-aayos ng mga bulaklak sa loob ng shop, linisan ang mga bintana, at diligan ang mga bagong tanim. I also did some inventory and called up deliveries for next week's flowers from the mainland.

Didn't receive any calls today for commissions. Other than that, I had the rest of the day for myself.

Naligo ako ulit para tanggalin ang lagkit ng pawis ngayong umaga pagkatapos ay inisip na istorbohin si Samuel gayong tapos na siyang kumain. As usual, ayaw sa 'kin at lumayo para mapag-isa siya.

"Anong ganap sa 'yo kahapon at bakit mabait ka?" Tanong ko sa pusa na may matalim na titig. I was lying on the floor as he climbed his chonky self up to his throne.

Tita Jane told me that Samuel was a sweet cat when Lola Edith was still around. He was tolerable when it was just us three but his personality gradually worsened when Tita died, leaving me with him. I thought he'll get over his behavior problems pero lumipas ang dalawang taon at walang pagbabago sa kaniya. Kaya gano'n na lamang ang gulat ko nang malambing siya kay Lukas.

"Weirdo mong pusa."

He nonchalantly groomed himself on his canopy and paid me no attention.

I sighed and set myself up for boredom kasi alas onse palang sa umaga at wala akong magawa pagkatapos kong magluto at kumain.

Tumayo ako at lumipat sa upuan. The lingering masculine scent of Lukas stayed on the couch when I was browsing the TV for something to watch. I hate being unproductive because I don't want to be alone with my thoughts. And the smell of Lukas' perfume combined with my thoughts is getting unwholesome because of the ache I'm feeling in my body right now.

Pinilit kong maglakad magdamag para hindi na manginig ang mga legs ko dahil sa kagagawan naming dalawa. It's not aching as bad anymore and at least it's a distraction from my loneliness.

When I settled on a medical drama, I opened my phone.

Lily: they just got here yesterday morning from cebu. di ko knows bigatin sila.

Evie: of course u dont

Lily: Mateo is so dreamy tho!! he asked for my IG. plus, another gig na naman sila mamaya

Evie: he looked like an asshole

Lily: don't they all???

And sent a 'dreamy' gif in our groupchat. Umirap ako at binack-read ang messages namin. Lily and that Mateo guy had a lot of pictures from last night, this woman even had a selfie of them this morning in a bed. Akala ko ako ang pinakamalala sa 'ming tatlo pero mukhang aagawin na ni Lily ang korona sa 'kin.

I may easily pull people between us three but at least I'm not this vulgar with my sex life.

Lily: GOOD MORNING MIKAYYY!!!

Evie: where the fuck did you go last night?

Umuwi.

Evie: KJ mo kahit kelan. Di ka naman ganyan dati

I sent a middle-finger emoji.

Lily: may hindi ka yata sinasabi samen hehe

???

What I didn't expect was for Lily to send a candid picture of Lukas. Laughing, wet hair, and his dimple on display. Looking good as hell that it made me panic a little bit. Akala ko kagabi 'to pero maliwanag na ang nasa picture at nang titigan ko ang mga braso ni Lukas ay may ebidensya ng mga kalmot ko. Did she just take this photo right now?