Something That Will Last

25 // My Hand Smells Like Coffee

Sinukat ko ang tingin niya. His eyes looked like how it looked when my lips were about to get some action. Nangangalo iyon.

Umikot tiyan ko. Hinintay ko ang isang segundo, baka sakaling sumigaw siya ng 'joke' lang. Eh pero hindi nagbago! Kaya umikot lalo loob ng sikmura ko.

It's weird to think that my Mom said I was born normal. And yet right here, I didn't get butterflies in my stomach. I had washing machine in my gut 'cause of the swirling sensation that won't stop inside.

I was scammed.

Oh, well. Ang mundo nga pala ay isang malaking Quiapo. Don't say I don't know philosophy. Don't.

"Vie... what are you thinking?"

I took a quick glance at some of my cousins, and then back again at our holding hands.

"Eh maraming tao..."

"Is that a problem?" He teased. "I could even kiss you in front of the world."

"Gagi, ano punta pa tayong outer space?"

Inakbayan niya ako bigla. Hinilig niya ang ulo ko sa balikat niya. I caught a whiff of his faint perfume when the wind blew.

"I'm glad you're okay, Vie. He doesn't deserve you."

This day was a mess. But I'd lived for this train wreck again and again. Although I'm having second thoughts on the part where two kids fought. Ang hirap palang umawat. Hindi ko kasi sure kung ifi-feel ko muna iyong moment nang pinagaawayan ako or...

Fine! Maybe, I should just go with or.

And theeen, sige na nga... smack lang.

Hinintay ko munang maging busy ang mga pinsan ko sa ginagawa nila. When I felt assured that no one would see us, I planted a quick peck on his lips. Then I hurried to fix my posture and sat like a proper lady.

He chuckled. "Viennica ko, wala sa labi ko ang sugat."

Huh, ano ba kasi talaga? Akala ko...

Pinadulas ko ang puwit ko sa swing para bumaba ang katawan ko at maitago ang mukha ko. Inangat niya ako ulit pero nagpadulas na naman ako. Tapos umangat lang ako ulit. O, edi ito na nga! Ulit ulit. Angat na lang.

"Linawin mo kasi. 'Di ka malinaw, e!"

I got on my feet to march out.

"Saan ka pupunta, Vie?" Pinagtatawanan niya ako.

I faked a yawn. "Wala! Magtitimpla ng kape. Nakakaantok 'yang labi mo."

Tawa niya lang ang narinig ko. Namatay iyon nang makaliko ako papasok sa kitchen ng garden area. This was where we cooked food during weekends back then. Weekends were reserved for BBQ and pool days during our childhood and pre-college life.

Naabutan kong nagluluto sina Jules at Snooki ng hindi ko alam. Basta mabango.

"Jules, sa'n 'yong coffee maker?"

"Go inside the other kitchen. It's there," sagot niya habang pokus pa rin sa pagluluto.

"Wait, dito ka muna!" said Snooki, holding back my arm. "What did really happen? Bakit may nagsuntukan?"

Well...

"Gusto lang nilang magpapawis," I said.

"Vie..."

My shoulders fell. Fine! "I might or might not have told Jerrick to mess with Wyatt's hair."

"'Di ba ayaw niyang nagugulo buhok niya?" asked Jules. "Ang vain talaga no'n! Pero gaga ka talaga. At ito namang si Jerrick, sumunod!"