Arctic Heart [#Wattys2018 Winner]

Chapter 30

Dire-diretso ang kanyang lakad patungo sa hagdanan at paakyat sa kanyang kwarto. Hindi ko na mapigilan ang pagtawa ko lalo na nang sinimulang pagalitan ni Tita Lyrae si Tito Josh na parang bata.

I stopped laughing when Jace stood beside me and wrapped his arm on my shoulder.

"Mom, Dad, we're going to take a rest as well..." paalam ni Jace sa kanyang mga magulang.

Sabay namang lumingon sa amin sina Tito Josh at Tita Lyrae para ngumiti bago muling hinarap ang isa't isa para maipagpatuloy ang pagkukulitan.

Hawak-hawak ni Jace ang aking kamay habang paakyat kami sa ikalawang palapag ng kanilang bahay.

"This is my room," he stated as he opened the door of his room.

I smiled and let myself in. I was glad that he took the initiative to show me his room. He just showed me his private space and that made me feel extra special. Pakiramdam ko'y mas lalo kaming nalapit sa isa't isa nang dahil dito.

His room has a very manly style and was bigger than my own space. I can tell that this was really his taste. The whole interior of the room was only playing with three colors―black, gray and white.

"Stay here," he told me. "Liana's room is just beside mine. I'm gonna ask her to lend you some clothes you can wear for tonight. I'll be quick."

"Okay..." I smiled at him and just let myself wander around his room.

Lumapit naman ako sa isang pintuan na walang handle. Inikot ko ang tingin ko sa paligid nito at nakita ang isang button. Pinindot ko iyon at agad itong bumukas. I was welcomed by Jace's clothes. It was his walk-in closet! Hindi naman ito ganoong kalakihan at tamang-tama lang para sa kanyang mga damit at sapatos.

I was amazed how organized his walk-in closet was. Sa totoo lang ay mas maayos pa ito kaysa sa akin. He was definitely an example of being prim and proper.

"Za?"

Lalabas na sana ako mula sa walk-in closet nang biglang pumasok si Jace dala-dala ang damit ng kanyang kapatid na ipapahiram sa akin.

"Liana told me that she hasn't worn these clothes, yet..." he said and put the clothes on top of his neckties' drawer. "There are clothes you can wear tonight and also, for tomorrow."

"Hindi naman na kailangan iyong pangbukas. Maaga naman akong uuwi," nahihiya kong sabi.

"Just wear it..." he said. "Liana would like it."

Tumango na lang ako at saka kinuha ang damit na ipinahiram sa akin ng kanyang kakambal. Mabuti na rin siguro 'to para makaligo ako kinabukasan.

"Saan ba ako matutulog?" tanong ko kay Jace. "Para makapagpalit na rin ako ng damit."

He grinned and leaned on the wall. "Here in my room."

My eyes slightly widened. "Ha?"

"You're gonna sleep here in my room with me," he elaborated. "My bathroom's just across the walk-in closet."

"Bakit naman ako rito matutulog?" Nagsimula na namang mag-init ang pakiramdam ng aking pisngi. "With a house this big, I'm pretty sure that you have plenty of guest rooms where I can sleep for tonight."

"Para namang hindi pa tayo nagtatabing matulog sa isang kama, Zarina..." sabi niya at natatawa pa. "Wala naman tayong gagawin. Matutulog lang tayo. You know I respect you so much."

Halos sapuhin ko ang aking noo. "Hindi naman 'yon, Jace. I know you respect me. Nahihiya lang ako sa mga magulang mo. Ano'ng iisipin nila kapag nalaman nilang dito ako natulog sa kwarto mo?"