Finding Something True

Chapter 8

"DO I look weird?"

Archer can no longer take his eyes off to Charity while she stands so beautifully in front of him. She looks like a teenage girl going out on her very first date, smiling and blushing! He really can't believe that there's still a woman like her who blush so naturally in front of a man. He doesn't want to presume but he can't help but think that he's the reason behind her smile and the way she blushes. She looks so cute with her casual clothes though medyo nabahala siya dahil naka-sleeveless lang ito. Hindi naman na ganun kalamig ang klima pero nag-aalala siyang baka pagpiyestahan ito ng ibang mga lalaking makakakita rito. Buti nalang ay nakamahabang skirt ito and maybe he'll think a solution on how to cover her skin later.

Oh, geez. What am I even thinking? Why do I have to cover skin when he's not even mine? I am just going to tour her around. That's all.

Actually when they went to the market the other day, he couldn't believe himself that he just easily invited her to go out. Everything just went so smoothly between them and realize that he's starting to like her presence. Not that he hates her, hindi lang siya makapaniwala na magkakasundo pa ang ugali nila. She's really fun to be with and he's being lured more and more to her charm. He likes the way she smiles, the way she dresses, the way she talks to him, the way she blushes, even how unpredictable she is.

"Archer? May problema ba? Hindi mo ba nagustuhan ang get-up ko? Pwede naman akong magpalit. Sandali lang ha."

Agad na pinigilan niya ito sa braso nang akmang babalik ito sa maid's quarter. "I never said that I don't like it. Your...absolutely beautiful."

There he goes again, complimenting her and being completely satisfied when he sees her flashes in redness. And now he's fighting the urges to wrap her into his arms. At bago pa nga niya tuluyang ipagkanulo ang sarili rito ay hinila na niya ito palabas ng bahay at baka sa iba pa niya ito maisipang dalhin. God knows what he's feeling right now. He wants her. Ito ang unang beses na nakaramdam siya ng ganoon. That feeling of wanting someone, but he has to resist because he doesn't want to hurt her.

"T-thank you." Sambit nito habang hila-hila niya ito. "But don't compliment me too much. Baka masanay ako."

"Then get used to it." Huminto na sila dahil narating na nila ang kanyang kotse. Hinarap niya ito. "Because I'm starting to see something in you that is worth complimenting for."

Nagulat nanaman ito pero agad rin nakabawi. "Then compliment me more. After all, I like being the center of attention. Just make sure na ako lang ang magiging apple of the eye mo ngayong araw. Bibigwasan kita kapag bigla ka nalang tumingin sa iba."

"Jealous?" pinagbuksan na niya ito ng kotse.

"Of course not, ayoko lang nang may kaagaw sa atensiyon ng tour guide ko. Baka mamaya maligaw pa ako." Umibis na ito sa loob.

He chuckled. "Roger that"

Isinara na niya ang pinto ng kotse at umibis na rin siya sa driver seat. Charity is looking outside the window pero halatang tensiyonado ito dahil sa mabilis na pagpapapay nito ng mga kamay sa mukha. She must be feeling hot after she clearly declares her intention of not sharing him to any female population when he's with her.

"Let's just go first to some tourist attraction then I want to show you to our farm. It's really nice there." Pinaandar na niya ang makina ng sasakyan and then they are off to go. "Siguradong magugustuhan mo ang ambiance doon."

"Excited na ako. Akala ko talaga hindi na ako magagawang makalibot sa baguio sa loob ng pamamalgi ko rito. Mabuti nalang bumait ka." Pahapyaw na sinilip niya ito at mabilis ring ibinalik ang atensiyon sa daan. Nakatingin pa rin ito sa labas ng bintana pero maaninag ang ngiti nito sa mga labi.