Grow with the Flow (Published under Bliss Books)

Kabanata 17

"I-I'm sorry... Bibili lang naman sana 'ko ng dinner."

Humarap siya sa 'kin at tiningnan mula ulo hanggang paa.

"Wearing that, I see," he sarcastically said.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?!" medyo galit na ring tanong ko.

Halos kumulo ang dugo niya.

"Why can't you just listen to me?! Fuck," I heard him muttering a few more curses.

I was taken aback by how angry he was and realized that this wasn't good. Walang maidudulot na maganda kung pareho kaming mainit ang ulo.

"Okay, I'm sorry..." I said and took a few steps closer to him. I reached for his arms and caressed it. "Calm down." I felt his fast breathing getting slow. "Hindi ko na uulitin," sabi ko na lang.

I saw his eyes soften as if he realized something, then he suddenly hugged me.

"Shit, I'm sorry for shouting, baby." He tightened his embrace at isiniksik niya ang ulo sa leeg ko. "And I'm so sorry for the curses."

He raised his left hand when he let go of me. I just noticed that he's been holding a plastic bag from a restaurant.

"I brought you dinner, let's eat," he said and led me to the table.

He completely turned into a different person from what seemed like a beast awhile ago. Inasikaso niya ang pagkain ko and even gently wiped the side of my lips because of a sauce while we were eating.

"Come here." He spread his arms wide when we finished our meal.

I stood from my chair and went near him. He pulled me to sit on his lap. Ikinulong niya ako sa braso niya at isiniksik ang ulo niya sa leeg ko.

"I'm sorry for overreacting earlier..." he whispered softly.

I sighed and gently caressed him.. "Ayos lang...huwag mo nang isipin."

Inilayo niya ang mukha niya at tinitigan ako gamit ang mapupungay na mga mata.

"I've...never felt this way before. I've never been this possessive..." he softly said like he, too, was confused.

I caressed the side of his face and gave him a small smile. I curiously eyed him. "How many relationships have you had?"

He paused for a while like he's trying to think.

"I don't think I've ever had a serious relationship before. I had flings but that's just it. I was never really into it."

Nanatili lamang siyang nakatitig sa 'kin na parang nalalasing ang mga mata.

"But with you...it's different."

Lumunok siya. Maingat niyang isinara ang distansya sa pagitan namin hanggang sa naramdaman ko ang paglapat ng mainit niyang labi sa akin.

"I don't even want you being stared at..." he whispered under his breath and softly nibble my lower lip. "By any other guy," he added breathlessly and gave me another kiss.

"You're...all mine..." he said before sucking my lips.

That intimate moment we shared together lingered in my mind even after a number of days.

"Hindi ka ba nasasakal?"

Napanganga ko sa biglang tanong ni Rafa isang araw habang tulak-tulak ko ang cleaning materials.

"H-Huh?"

Tumaas ang kilay niya na parang nawi-weird-uhan.

"Diyan, oh!" sabi niya sabay turo sa polo kong nakabutones hanggang sa may leeg na dati ay iniiwan ko lang namang nakabukas ang unang dalawang butones. Nang mapansin ang gulat kong ekspresyon ay natawa siya nang bahagya.

"Ano ba'ng iniisip mo?" napapailing na tanong niya.

Napalunok ako at hindi rin alam kung bakit tila may ibang interpretasyon ang isip ko sa tanong niya.