Touched

Eight

Thea Elise

    I don't think I have any other choice but to let his henchmen inside our apartment to carry the boxes of groceries and even the devil himself carried a couple of them. Pansin ko din ang mga usyoso kong kapitbahay kaya hindi ako mapakali at nagpasalamat ng maubos na nila ang mga pinamili ko.

    "Uhh, just leave it there. Ako na lang ang mag-aayos niyan mamaya." I said, unsure as Grayson fixed the boxes inside our living area. Tumango naman ito at nagmasid sa paligid kaya napamasid din tuloy ako kung maayos pa ba ang itsura ng apartment.

    It felt awkward having him here lalo pa at mabilis kaming iniwan ng mga alipores niya, whom up to now cannot look at me. Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay utos din ito ng amo nila.

    "I guess I better get going then." The devil spoke after a while. He placed his hand inside his pockets at tumingin saakin.

    "Okay, thank you. I'll pay you back sa sweldo. Nakakahiya ikaw pa nagbayad nitong supply namin." I bit my lip to suppress my smile, I don't want him getting any wrong ideas. Paniguradong walang matitira sa akin sa sahod at parang magkakautang pa ako kay Nicky para lang mabyaran siya pero mas ayos na ito.

    "Wala 'yon." He shrugged then gave our living room a once over before stepping towards the door.

    I don't know what came over me when I saw his retreating back and I almost whispered.

"    W-wait.." medyo nautal pa ang pagkakasabi ko at kinurot ko din ang tagiliran ko sa ginawa..

    "Yes?" He quickly faced my direction and he now looks like a kid upon receiving his favorite ice cream.

    "Dito ka na magdinner, magluluto ako. Bayad na din sa pagsama at pagbitbit ng groceries." Mabilis kong sabi at parang gusto kong bawiin na hindi. Hindi ko din siya matingan sa mata kaya binaling ko na lang ang mga mata sa pintuan.

    "That would be lovely." May tuwa sa boses niyang sabi at tumalikod na ako bago pa niya makitang napangiti ako. Shit talaga.

    Linapitan ko ang isa sa mga karton at sinimulang kalagin ang tali nito. Nagtama pa ang mga kamay namin ng agawin niya nanaman ito saakin at walang anu-anong hinila at napigtas ang tali. And why am I suddenly having lewd images inside my head with him gripping and handling the ties? Shit talaga. Hinayaan ko na siyang buksan iyon at ang iba pa.

    I left him at the leaving room after gathering the ingredients from the boxes and proceeded towards our small kitchen. I opted make baked spaghetti dahil 'yun yung hiling niya kanina diba?

........

    "Something smells really good, Manang!" I heard an overly chirpy Nicky shouted from the front door.

    I frowned upon the fact that I did not even check up on her when I came back from ShopMore. I must have been too preoccupied by the devil who is currently waiting patiently here at the kitchen.

    Nilingon koi to at hindi na nagulat ng nakatitig lang saakin.

    "That's my bestfriend." I stated.

    "Good to know." Sagot niya din na hindi ko maintindihan kung may kalakip bang relief or what. I just shrugged then continued storring the sauce.

    "And we have company?" Kahit nakatalikod ako ay alam kong nakataas ang kilay ni Nicky base sa tono ng boses niya. "Sino ka?"

    I huffed in a breath before turning towards them.

    "Hey, landi. That's Grayson. Grayson, meet my bestfriend and housemate, Nicky." I introduced and Nicky's eyes lit up in mischief.