"Almost. Are you going out?" I hated how my voice sounded displeased.
"Yes. And you're coming with me..."
"Ako? Saan naman tayo pupunta?" And I especially hated how hopeful that sounded!
"Bibili ng supplies at groceries. Your fridge is almost empty. We'll have a lunch out and do whatever you want..."
"Lunch?" I wrinkled my nose. I pointed at the the small bowl in my hands. Napangisi na lamang si Ram.
"You'll get hungry again after we buy groceries. Pagod ka pa ba? Masakit pa ba?"
Parang nawala ang mga nakakapit na bula sa aking katawan sa kaniyang pagtingin sa akin. Ang kanina pang nanlamig na tubig ay uminit muli. Tumaas ang aking mga balahibo habang inaalala nanaman ang kagabi. How...how...he did that...position!
"Just a little bit..." The bath helped, to be honest.
"Good. Can you walk or we'll just stay here? I don't mind." He shrugged.
"Are you fucking blind? Hindi ako embalido! Sex is normal!" Halos sabuyan ko siya ng tubig sa kaniyang trato sa akin. He's treating me like a porcelain doll now and its starting to get on my nerves, well, just a little bit. I still liked it somehow.
Napailing ako sa sarili ko.
"You're too cute. Can I have a kiss please?" Lumakad patungo sa akin si Ram at yumuko.
Mabilis agad niyang natunton ang aking pwesto. Halos umisod ako sa pinakadulo ng tub sa paglapit ng kaniyang mukha. Why was I suddenly feeling shy, I don't know. Maybe I kept remembering his violent his eyes last night as he took me. It scared the shit out of me, and at the same time, very addicting.
"Okay..." marahan kong sabi.
Ram chuckled and swiftly tilted his head to meet mine, his minty breath fanning over my face. I popped a half strawberry into my mouth before he chewed my bottom lip like a bubble gum.
"Naughty baby girl..." he chuckled even more.
We spent the afternoon, buying groceries and having lunch in a fancy restaurant. Umayos naman ang pakiramdam ko pero mas gaganda siguro bukas o sa isang araw. Tumungo kaming sinehan pagkatapos mag-ikot at tinawagan ko si Beth para sumama sila sa amin.
"Good afternoon! How are you?" bati ni Carlos nang makita na namin sila.
"So formal, Engineer Carlos!" I beamed at agad na naramdaman ang kamay ni Ram sa aking bewang. I looked at my forlorn cousin who seemed like she didn't want to go.
Mariin ko siyang pinagmasdan, sa mga bawat liko at sulok ng kaniyang mukha't katawan. Any sign or indication that something that shouldn't happen, did happened. Magaling magtago ang pinsan ko dahil wala akong nakita pero mamaya ay baka madulas iyan!
"Tara na! And I like your outfit, by the way," binulong ko ang huling pangungusap kay Beth who was sporting a black sweatshirt that's too big for her size, black leggings, and Gucci slide sandals.
We went to the theatre to watch a superhero movie, and strolled in a science museum. We had a few pictures in which only Carlos and me were smiling. Pagkatapos noon dumiretso na kaming condo, a few can of beers in hand, with Ram by my side even as I cooked.
Mas malalim ang gabi, mas makintab ang mga bituin, mas sariwa ang ihip ng hangin, at mas malaki ang buwan noong gabing iyon. The laughs were a little bit forced to please their ears but I still loved it. The day became the night and it ended.
We flew back to Cebu the next day.
I wore my Raybans while we rode to the estate, and behind it were my tears. Diretso ang aking mga labi at nanlalamig ang puso, hindi ko maintindihan ang marahang pagtulo ng mga luha.
Ang Pang-Limampu't Lima
Magsimula sa umpisa
