Grow with the Flow (Published under Bliss Books)

Kabanata 14

"What? No! Hindi si Kier ang crush ko."

Dumilim ang ekspresyon niya. "So, now you're saying that there are other guys too? Tell me, Nayeli, sino pa?" mariing tanong niya at tiningnan ako nang masama.

Umiling ako. "Hindi ko nga crush si Kier," I said and paused. "Ikaw. Ikaw ang crush ko."

Nakita ko ang gulat na rumehistro sa mukha niya dahil sa sinabi ko.

Namula ang tainga niya at suminghap bago umiwas ng tingin at muling tumalikod ng higa sa kama.

"Stop fooling me. I saw the way you and that guy looked at each other yesterday," malat pa rin ang tinig na sabi niya.

Kung ano-ano na ang pinagsasabi ng isang ito. Nagdedeliryo yata dahil may sakit. Lumipat ako sa kabilang side ng kama para magtama ang tingin namin.

"What about it? Why are you so mad about it?" takang tanong ko.

"I'm jealous, alright?" he blurted out at nakita kong gumapang ang pamumula hanggang sa leeg niya.

Kumunot ang noo koo. "Jealous? What's jealous?" takang tanong ko.

Nakita kong napapikit siya nang mariin.

"Damn, this is torture..." problemadong bulong niya. "It's so damn hard to fall for you..."

Napaawang ang labi ko sa bagong salitang narinig sa kanya. "H-Huh?"

"Nevermind. Just ask Rafa about it."

Nang maramdamang medyo masama pa rin ang loob niya ay umupo ako para magtapat ang mukha namin. "Part lang naman ng performance 'yong mga titigan..." marahang sabi ko, thinking that it has to be stated.

Nag-iwas siya ng tingin.

"You didn't even tell me about that whole pageant thing..." mahinang anas niya gamit ang tonong may bahid ng...pagtatampo?

I heaved a sigh. "I'm sorry... I just thought that it wasn't that relevant for you to know."

He looked at me in the eye and I could feel him slowly softening.

Napabuntonghininga ako. "Uminom ka na ba ng gamot?"

Napalunok siya bago maamong sumagot. "I did."

I put may palm on his forehead. He slightly flinched.

"You still have fever though..." I said.

Something momentarily flashed in his eyes. He then averted my gaze.

"Ibang gamot yata ang kailangan ko."

I raised my brow from what he said, wondering what he meant by that. Hinintay kong dugtungan niya ang sinasabi. And he did.

"I think you have to take away the pain with your magical kisses."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at namula. "What?! But...based from your reaction last time...akala ko, mali iyon..." I said, confused.

He avoided my line of vision. "Well... it's not entirely wrong. I think it's quite effective depending on the context..." he said while his face was turning pink. "This time...I guess, gagana iyon."

Napalunok ako.

"S-Saan ba'ng masakit?" I asked, still not sure whether I was doing the right thing.

He turned his eyes on me and I didn't know if it's just my imagination or he's really suppressing a smile.

"Here," sabi niya sabay turo sa may noo.

With heated cheeks, I slowly pulled my face closer and let my lips land on his forehead. I moved back and saw him biting his lip.

"Dito rin," sabi niya sabay turo sa pisngi.

My brows furrowed, "What? Why would your cheeks hurt? Niloloko mo lang yata ako, eh!"

He sported a pitiful look.

"Okay, then... Titiisin ko na lang," sabi niya with full intension of making me feel guilty.

"Fine," I breathed out in defeat.

He eyed me with amusement. I placed another kiss, now on his cheeks. If my lips were warm, then his skin was definitely warmer. Oddly, the atmosphere suddenly turned hot.

He showed another pained expression.

"Aray! Dito pa." Mariin siyang pumikit while pointing at the side of his lips.

I looked at him suspiciously. He slightly opened one of his eyes to peep a look at me ngunit agad ding pumikit. He even groaned as if he's in so much pain.

I sighed and slowly leaned forward to make my lips touch the side of his lips. I could feel the fast beating of my heart when I pulled away.His eyes were still closed but his lips were now curving into a sweet smile.

"Damn, ang sarap namang magkasakit..."  he said with such a hoarse voice.