It Started in the Library (Completed and Editing)

Chapter 45.5: Singing Froglet, Dancing Zebra

Chapter 45.5: Naturrific 2 (Singing Froglet, Dancing Zebra) Warning: Rinam overload ahead. 

I noticed her starting to nod off after her second cup of chamomile tea. She's probably dead tired after pulling an all-nighter last night. Napangiti ako habang minamasdan siya from my peripheral vision. She's really fighting to keep awake, and she's losing very badly. I'm biding my time until she's out like a light so she can't fight me off. She has a really strong left-hook at ayokong mabiktima na naman.

I started counting to five when I saw her eyes close. Good. Her fingers started to slacken around her tea cup and I took it out of her hand before it fell on the floor.

"Z, baka sipunin ka. Pasok ka na," I murmured softly to her as she leaned on my shoulder. It's rare for her to have such a peaceful expression on her face. She wet her lips and burrowed on my side.

"Mamaya na," I heard her slur. I pulled her closer and she snuggled comfortably on my chest. I hope she doesn't realize how fast my heart is beating right now.

Sorry, hindi ko sinasadya. I'm sorry Z.

"Okay sige," I know I should stop... I shouldn't make this harder for both of us. I promised Kuya Ali. I could still hear his words in my head.

"I have one agent down already, don't add another one to the list," I couldn't help but sigh. "She's been slacking and you are distracting her from her duties."

"Pero kuya..." I started to answer but he cut me off.

"Adam, I'm starting to regret getting you all involved in the mission. Don't make this harder for the two of you. Now answer me: do you like her?"

I couldn't answer right away.  Ano ba naman yung ilagay ka bigla sa hotseat? I haven't really analyzed my feelings for her. Masaya akong kasama siya, yes. I enjoy being with someone so simple and uncomplicated. Yung alam kong walang ulterior motive kaya sumasama sa akin, yung tipong hindi nahihiya at kayang makipagsabayan.

"Yes. We're friends."

"I mean seryoso ka ba sa kanya?" His tone held no room for deceptions. Kuya Ali is not known to mince words.

"I'm not sure."

"Adam, being an agent has been Rin's dream since childhood. Don't take away that dream from her. She has sacrificed alot for this job; her family, friends, time, blood, sweat and tears... don't distract her from her goals."

"Ayusin mo muna ang sarili mo bago ka gumawa ng mga bagay na maaring makasakit sa huli. Rin is a great asset, but she is still erratic and immature. "

The painful reality hurts worse than my last heartbreak. She murmured something incoherent and I started stroking her back to calm her.

So you sleeptalk, eh? Her hair is still damp from the shower and I buried my nose on their strands.

Buti tulog ka na kasi baka baliin mo ang leeg ko kung gising ka ngayon.

"Mama..." She whimpered softly and I left a damp kiss on her forehead. Miss mo na ba sila?

"Xander...anak ng... minu-minuto puro kaga...hu..an..." Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti. Pati sa panaginip nagsasabi pa rin siya ng anak ng phrases. Kakaiba ka talaga...

"Yung kumag na palaka..." I stopped what I'm doing and listened intently, "bakit ang cute mo? Hindi makatarungan..." How many times have I heard girls say those words? Kasalanan ba namin na ganito kami pinanganak?

Cute ako? Buti alam mo. Akala ko manhid ka lang...sabi ko naman sa'yo wag ka ma-iinlove sa akin di ba? I swallowed a huge lump on my throat.