Keep Me Closer

36th: Choosing

A MONTH passed and our normal life went on. Only that Eustace and I had a new routine that we'd soon adapted. Madalas ay hapon na natatapos ang shift ko. He was also arriving home around evening. Matapos ayusin ang sarili pagkauwi ay kakatok siya sa unit ko at magluluto ng dinner.

Most nights we have been playing card games, pero napapadalas na kaming manood ng TV shows habang nasa couch ng unit ko. He would hold my hand occasionally, and I would be smiling and giggling from ear to ear.

But this afternoon would be different dahil alas tres pa lang ng hapon ay pinagbuksan ko na siya ng pinto.

He greeted me with a huge smile. Then his eyes scanned my frame—from my face down to my toes. "Preparing for some occasion?"

"Nope..." Umiling ako pero ipinakita ang suot ko ngayon. I twirled, I was wearing a pair of boots that I just bought the other day. They feel comfortable. "Just trying on some clothes to keep myself occupied."

"You're getting bored? Good thing I have come for your entertainment."

Natawa ako, he pulled me close to him kaya humawak ako sa kanyang braso tapos ay sumandal doon. He closed the door and we walked inside my unit.

"Want to show them to me so I could give insights?"

"Oh..." Sinilip ko ang mukha niya kung nagsasabi ba siya ng totoo. "I got three coordinates left."

Tumango si Eustace.

"The first two are basic ones though, and the third one is a gift."

I put on pastel pink trousers and paired it with a white tank top and a coat. Then paired it with a lowcut sneakers. I also got my sunglasses and settled it atop of my head.

Ngumiti ako sa sarili. I bought these semi-formal coordinates noong nakaraang linggo matapos makatanggap ng incentive galing sa grill, parang katulad ng mid-year bonus sa Pilipinas. This was usually my street style go to outfit, kapag may gala sa downtown detroit, mostly kasama ko lang naman sarili ko.

I cleared my throat at dahan-dahang lumabas ng kwarto. Sumilip muna ako sa may living room bago tuluyang nagpakita kay Eustace. But he felt my presence that he glanced at my direction immediately.

Wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang magpakita na lang. Pinasadahan niya ng tingin ang suot ko. Tapos ay nangiti agad sabay taas-baba ng mga kilay.

"You look fascinating and wholesome."

"I took some poses in front of him." Pero may halong biro dahil hindi ako matigil sa pagtawa dahil hindi naman ako marunong magpose.

"Hmm," ani Eustace, parang may naisip. "Tayo ka nang maayos tapos humalukipkip. Maintain a straight face... and—"

Sinusunod ko ang bawat sinabi niya.

"Could be a low-key girl boss," komento niya matapos akong titigan.

Natawa ako. Tumalikod at umiling-iling. "Magbibihis na nga ako."

"Can't wait to find out what other outfits you'd be showing to me. I'm not yet losing hope to look at you in some spicy ones."

"Gago 'to."

Natatawa pa rin ako nang bumalik sa kwarto at suotin naman ang isang damit na nabili ko last month dahil naka-sale. Yes, hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa 'to nasusuot.

Madalas kong ayaw palampasin ang mga nagugustuhan kong damit kapag on-sale naman sila. Though kapag may pera lang naman. Mababaon ako sa utang kung hindi.

I went out of my room wearing a white romper with a square cut on each side showing off the skin on my sides. Its front part was square shaped also kaya hindi kita ang cleavage but it highlights my jawline.