A Bloodless War

Kabanata 4

"Sa hotel ko na lang ako," sabi ko.

"Where is it?" aniya. Tumayo rin ako para makisilip sa kanya at itinuro ang hindi kalayuan hotel.

Nakita kong nangunot ang noo niya at nilingon akong muli.

"What's your whole name again?" he asked.

"Alam mo kagabi ka pa, kasal na tayo lahat-lahat 'di mo pa rin maalala pangalan ko," reklamo ko.

"Sorry," he laughed. "I'm really not good with names."

"Alyx Riadna Alarcon," I answered.

"Ree," he bit his lip.

"Oh?" tanong ko.

"Aside from being a celebrity, ano pang trabaho mo?" aniya at napaisip naman ako saglit bago nagkibit-balikat.

"Pag-arte, modelling, that's my only job," sabat ko naman. He nodded. Nakita ko na naman ang mapanuring tingin niya sa akin kaya bigla akong na-conscious.

Napahawak ako sa pisngi ko at nilingon siya.

"M-May dumi ba?" I asked him. He lifted his hand and I was startled when he wiped my cheek before putting my hair behind my ear.

"Wala," he said and towered me. Napahugot naman ako ng hininga at napatikhim.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kanya at nang magtagpo ang mata namin ay bumalik sa ala-ala ko ang nangyari kagabi.

I am staring at his eyes again that took my attention but with a different view behind him this time. Kung kagabi ay mga tao at ang makukulay na ilaw ang nasa likod niya, ngayon naman ay ang magandang silaw ng haring araw ang nasa likuran.

Behind him now is the peaceful waves, and the clear blue sea that is same as his piercing eyes.

"W-Why?" nangangatal kong sabi. He moved a little closer, pushing my body on the rock as he lowered his head and kissed the tip of my nose.

"We'll be having trouble if we go to your hotel, may nagbabantay sa lahat ng exit," aniya.

Namumungay pa ang mata ko nang nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya at matapos nito ay marahang tinulak ko siya.

"U-Uh, paano mo nalaman?" I asked.

Damn, Alyx! It was just a kiss on the tip of your nose!

"I know everything here," aniya na parang wala lang. I saw him pinching the bridge of his nose before looking at me.

"What now, Misis? Should we go back there?" Turo niya sa hotel kanina kung saan kami nanggaling.

"I-I have to talk to my manager too, baka nag-aalala na kasi 'yon," sabi ko.

"You can call him when we reach my place, it's safe there," aniya kaya napatango na rin ako nang wala sa sarili.

I can now imagine the headlines. Simula pa lang kahapon ang dami ko ng issues! Kainis!

I walked past the rocks but before I can walk away from him ay nahawakan ni Zeijan ang braso ko kaya napabalik ako sa kanya at tumama ang likod ko sa dibdib niya.

I shifted my gaze at him and cursed myself when I found out how close our faces are.

"W-Why?" I stuttered.

He let go of my arm. Nakita ko ang pagkunot ng noo niya at gano'n na lang ang gulat ko nang hilahin niya ang shirt pababa sa likuran ko.

"B-Bakit?" naguguluhan kong sabi.

"Your underwear's showing, you wouldn't like to walk with your undies showing, right?" irita niyang sabi kaya napatawa ako at napairap sa hangin.

"You know, Mr. Cueno..." I said. He stopped and bit his lip afterwards.