Aphrodisia | 18+ (Written In Filipino) ✔️

ika-28

   He's comparing me to a mannequin? "Scumbag. Come and go home quick so I can model it in front of you and prove that I'm better than a nonliving thing." Baliw na siya. 

   Duke laughed throatily, one of the rarest times he did that I was glad it was something I couldn't see right now. "I'm gonna hang up."

   Sumeryoso agad siya. "I dare you."

   Umirap ako at hindi sinasadyang binuksan ang sliding doors ng may tunog. "You're seriously no fun. I pity your future family."

   I realized it would strike, knowing all he had was himself now. Subalit iba ang sinagot ni Duke. "Are you inside my room?"

   "Balcony," pagtatama ko. "Gusto ko ng hangin."

   Umupo ako sa rattan chair at tumitig lang sa tanawin doon habang naka-speaker siya sa phone na nilapag ko sa mesa. 

   "I appreciate your silence more." 

   Humalukipkip ako. "It's beautiful out here."

   "I have taste."

   Hindi agad ako nakasagot sa nilakbay ng isip ko. For the past week I was living with Anselm in a house that I didn't think would be my greatest nightmare. Before that, having my father give me up to him like I was some doll that he could box up and reward someone to. Even before that, an affair that I would never have thought that’ll blew up and came out nastier than it suggested. 

   Somewhere in my mind, I was still in that little escape. I was still in that sailboat, feeling the wind in my face and hearing those soft songs in the air. With him behind me. With me hearing "Happy birthday" from his lips and my chest warming as if it were the best two words I heard in my life. 

   Fantasies and how it completely shatters your views of reality. 

   "Bruna?" tawag ng alertong boses ni Duke sa kabilang linya na halos makalimutan ko dahil sa iniisip. 

   "I'm here," mabilis kong sagot. "I'm not going anywhere." I leaned on the chair and heard his steps becoming calmer. 

   "You were silent for so long that I thought there were interruptions going on there," kastigo niya sa malamig na tono. 

   I smiled weakly. That was just him. "Just hurry up and come back, Duke."

-

Ito ang ikalawang araw na naroon ako sa bahay ni Duke. Sinikop ko ang makapal kong buhok upang itali, habang nilalapag ni Duke ang mga baso namin at ang ulam na niluto niya ngayong gabi. 

   I settled my hands on the counter and assessed him quietly. Hindi ordinaryong klase ng sarap ang mga niluluto niya kaya alam kong ginagawa niya iyon upang maibalik ang gana ko sa pagkain. But his efforts aside and well appreciated, we both know that all the things that happened in the spun of six months were enough for me to have at least a decaying appetite. 

   Pumwesto siya sa kabilang panig ng counter, kaharap ko. He was tall enough to not need the high stool which I sat on gingerly, having difficulties in dismissing the tension between us yet. Sinimulan niyang bigyan ng pansin ang pagkain niya ngunit alam kong alam niya na tinititigan ko siya. 

   "Duke?" I called when I realized he didn't mind me looking. 

   He looked up with slightly half-lidded eyes that made my stare drop at the veins protruding in his wrists while holding the utensils. "Yes."

   "What happens. . ." Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa mga mata niya. "What happens after I confront my family?"

   "Depends on what confrontation that is."