War with a Tease ONGOING

Tip 21: Guards Down

"Fine," he said hotly saka itinulak palayo ang cart. Lumiwanag naman ang mukha ni Jasmin at kinuha ulit ang mga chocolates at chips na binalik ng lalaki. "Kung gusto mong kumain at masira ang tiyan mo, go. Pero 'wag mo namang damihan masyado. Wala akong balak mawalan ng girl friend sa murang edad na dise-nuwebe."

Nakangiting malapad na binalikan pa ni Jas ang M&M at nagmamadaling hinabol si Chase na noo'y patuloy parin sa paglalakad but when Chase's words finally registered to her brain, her eyes opened wide and she stopped in her tracks. Nang maramdaman ni Chase na hindi na pala sumusunod ang babae sa kanya ay lumingon siya sa likod niya.

"What?" he asked, slightly irritated.

"Anong sabi mo? Ako? Girl friend mo?" Jas asked, pointing at herself. "Kailan pa? Ni hindi ka pa nga nanliligaw tapos inangkin mo na ako."

Tuluyan nang humarap dito si Chase at tiningnan ito na para bang tinubuan ito ng dalawang ulo. He straightened and raised his eyebrows at her. "Bakit? Hindi ba sa simula palang, akin ka naman talaga? Tsaka hindi ba panliligaw ang tawag 'nung sinabi kong mahal kita?"

Napakurap na lamang si Jasmin sa narinig mula sa kanya. Ibang klase rin kung manligaw ang isang Chase Guevara. Isang 'mahal kita' lang, panliligaw tapos girl friend na agad? He hasn't even done anything yet! Oh, right! Napatampal si Jas sa kanyang noo nang may maalala. 'What happened last night was an exception though.' she thought.

Without waiting for Jasmin to reply, Chase smirked triumphantly as he turned around and started walking to the fruit section. Jasmin just blinked in the sudden light, mouth open slightly as she watched him walk for a few seconds before following. Hindi pa rin ito makapaniwala sa narinig mula sa lalaki kaya hindi na lamang ito nagsalita.

Taking a glance at Jasmin, Chase took some apples and calmly placed them in the cart. Lifting his head up, he held up one apple and teased her by giving her a melting wink. Jas looked away, blushing a little. See how to make her shut up aside from kissing her?

Alonzo's

"Anong oras ka pupunta sa Green Point mamaya?" narinig kong tanong ni Chase sa akin.

Papauwi na kami patungo sa unit ni Chase pagkatapos naming mamili ng groceries. Simula nang makasakay na sa kanyang sasakyan ay ilang sandali ring namayani ang nakabibinging katahimikan sa pagitan naming dalawa hanggang sa basagin iyon ni Chase.

"Mhm?" I mumbled as I jerked my head to look at him. Sasagot na sana ako ngunit bigla kong nakalimutan ang tanong nito nang makita ang maamong mukha nito na nagmamaneho.

There was a smile on his face, a slight grin of satisfaction. I knew I had the same grin, too. It all felt so overwhelming, how can I not smile? The way he showed how he adored me, I felt really loved. Palagi naman kasi kaming nag-iiwasan at nag-aaway noon at ngayon ko lang ulit nakita si Chase na ganito.

He looked so genuinely happy. First time I've seen him smile like this in a long time and I felt more than special. Pinagbigyan pa nito ako kanina na kumuha ng mga junk food at chocolates. Kahit na alam ko naman na ayaw niya sa mga ito, still pinagbigyan niya ako. Ang galing pa nitong magsalita na masyadong unhealthy daw ang aking mga kinukuha 'tapos siya naman itong punta ng punta sa bar para uminom. Mas nakakasama kaya sa kalusugan iyon. Ugh.

"Jasmin?" I heard Chase say again without looking at my direction, a tick of amusement flashed in his eyes, making me snap out of my daze.