Her Unveiled Love

Kabanata 4: Fair, Unfair

[Via's POV]

Napagpasyahan namin ni Krae na sa kanyang condo unit na gumawa. Actually, I suggested na roon talaga dahil ibibigay ko na lang sa kanya ang scrapbook na natapos ko nang gawin. Ipapa-cover ko na lang sa kanya ng plastic para mas malinis tingnan. Nagdala na rin ako ng plastic cover, gunting, at scotch tape para hindi na siya maabala pa.

"Dito na lang kayo, Manong. I'll be quick." Bilin ko sa driver bago ako bumaba ng sasakyan.

I bet Krae's from a wealthy family, buying a unit from this residence tower costs a fortune. The Sy Residences are for high-class ones, you can already see it from the extravagant and wide parking lot to the luxurious lobby. There are couches and coffee tables, each with a service bell. The huge crystal chandelier illuminated the entire place.

Not just the place, but the employees impressed me too. The hospitality in their voice as they greeted me made me nodded in response.

Didiretso na sana ako sa elevator na nasa right side ng receptionist, natigilan lang ako nung makita si Krae na kakababa lang ng hagdan. Tinanggal niya ang kanyang itim na headset nung makita ako. He's wearing a hooded tank, wet from his sweat. I bet he just went to gym.

"You're just right on time–" Natigilan siya sa paglapit sa 'kin at napadapo ang kanyang mga tingin sa kamay kong nakalahad na may hawak na towel. I don't want to be near him. I don't want to smell his stinky sweat.

"Dry your self," I said when I saw the hesitation in his eyes. Napalunok siya bago kinuha ang towel at pinunas iyun sa kanyang leeg at mukha. Mabilis akong tumalikod at hindi na nagbalak pang manood nung pupunasan na niya sana ang kanyang mga matitipunong braso.

Nang makapasok na kami ng elevator ay pinindot niya agad ang button ng seventh floor at agad na nagsara ang pinto.

Kaming dalawa lang sa loob pero ewan ko ba, the elevator feel so small. Napangiwi ako at agad na dumistansya mula sa kanya nung magtama ang mga braso namin. Naramdaman ko ang init ng katawan niya at ang kanyang pawis.

"I said dry yourself." Puno ng iritasyon kong suway.

"I just did."

"Not dry enough."

I secretly glance at him and saw that he's trying to dry himself up especially his arms. He's wearing a blank expression as he touch his skin to check if it's dry enough.

"I'll give your towel back this Monday–"

"I don't need it, keep it to yourself." Mabilis na agap ko at nauna nang lumabas ng elevator.

"My unit is in room 201." Tumango ako at tumigil sa pintong sinasabi niya. Tumabi ako para mabuksan niya ang kanyang unit pero agad na napakunot ang aking noo nung walang pasabi niyang binuksan.

"It's not lock." I said, bothered.

"I don't lock my doors. The building is safe and heavily guarded. Make yourself at home."

I was about to argue with him, but he immediately went inside his room. Nakakunot ang noo kong inilibot ang paningin.

His unit is not messy as I expected it to be, well it's tidy and absolutely neat. I couldn't even see any crease on his grey couches. His shelves are filled with books, mostly business books and he has all the complete versions. I am impress, I must say.

He has no television, the third thing that I noticed. There were no picture frames and the only design he has in the salas is the huge nude painting on the wall. It's vintage, he has a taste for art.

"So, here are some controversies that I listed, each with detailed informations and even statements from some witnesses."

Agad na bumungad sa akin ang mabangong amoy ng shampoo pagkabukas niya ng pinto. I could feel my heart pounding so hard as he dried his hair. It's the first time I smelled an after shower scent from a guy.

Mabilis akong umiwas ng tingin at napataas ng kilay nung makita siyang ngumiti sa 'kin. His smile was warm and gentle that it made his hard facial features look soft especially without his glasses.

"Here," I said and place the finished scrapbook along with the other materials on top of the coffee table near the couches.

"What's that?"

"The scrapbook. Now, you just need to cover it up with some plastic."

Hinarap ko siya gamit ang blangkong ekspresyon. Nakaawang ang kanyang mga labi habang nakatitig sa lamesa. Unti-unti ay may mga guhit na kumurba sa kanyang noo.

"I need to go now. If you have any questions just text me." Inayos ko ang bag ko at tumalikod na.

"Hey!"

"What?"

"Ba't hindi mo sinabi na nakagawa ka na pala?"

Otomatikong napataas ang kilay ko dahil sa singhal niyang tono. "I just did." Krae's jaw clenched. He look so pissed but it didn't bother me. Pinagpatuloy ko na ang paglalakad pero tinawag niya ako ulit na ikinadagdag sa iritasyon ko.

"What?!" Galit na singhal ko.

"Don't you think this is unfair? I did some research and made an effort, now you're just gonna put that all away." Bumuntong-hininga siya at napapailing na umupo sa couch.

"It's not unfair. Natapos ko na at ilalagay ko naman na nag-cooperate ka. The scrapbook is too perfect that we'll get a high score. Hindi ko maintindihan kung ano pa ang nirereklamo mo."

He scoffed at my statement as if he finds it silly to hear. Slowly, he started staring at me with nothing to say. His stares were intense but my eyes and expression were cold, colder than the avalanche in the Mount Everest. We stared at each other with unsaid hatred. Yes, hatred. Hindi ko alam pero nagagalit agad ako tuwing matingnan ko lang ang mukha niya.

"You don't care about other people, do you?"

"You don't know me," I said in a robotic tone without breaking my stares. He sighed defeatedly and looked away.

"Your past project partners must have hated you for not having their work appreciated."

"I don't have project partners other than Rose. I usually work alone." Ngumisi siya at hindi makapaniwalang umiling.