Fleeting Moments

Chapter 05: Dinner

"You have nothing to do here," I told him while fighting the urge to inhale his scent dahil baka hanap-hanapin ko na naman. To be honest, I couldn't wait for our next appointment with the OB-GYN. I was not exactly sure why or when it started but apparently, I developed this fixation on his scent. Ewan ko ba. Medyo gusto kong magtampo sa anak namin dahil ngayon pa lang ay mukhang maka-papa na.

"I wanna watch TV. Move," aniya. His free hand held my shoulder, and it prickled my skin, so I immediately stepped back and made way for him. Kumunot ang noo niya sa ikinilos ko pero pumasok na lang nang walang imik.

I fought the urge to stare. Kinuha niya ang isang unan at inilagay sa may headboard bago sandalan. One of his legs dangled on the side of the bed while the other occupied the space as if it were his. He leaned back, folded his knee before sipping on his mug, and had his eyes fixed on the screen.

I scoffed. Napalingon siya sa akin at bahagya akong tinaasan ng kilay. I rolled my eyes and sat beside him, making sure our skins wouldn't touch.

Sa dami ba naman ng lalaki, talagang kay Ryo pa? There are tons of celebrities I could lust over with, courtesy of my pregnancy hormones. Kung bakit si Ryo pa, ewan ko na lang din.

"Hindi ka pa nakatutulog?" he asked.

"Obviously."

Narinig ko siyang may binulong-bulong na reklamo dahil daw "Gabi na, ang sungit-sungit pa rin."

"Ikaw?" I asked and glanced at him. Mabilis ko iyong binawi nang maramdamang lilingon din siya sa akin.

"Nakatulog na. Iinom lang ako ng tubig, e ang lakas niyang TV, dinig ko sa labas."

"What if I were sleeping? Sayang naman 'tong Milo't gatas."

I heard him snicker. "Hindi 'yan para sa 'yo. Para sa 'kin 'yan. Dalawa. Nataon lang na gising ka. E naaawa ako kaya ibinigay ko sa 'yo."

Napakibit ako roon. I was torn if he was being sarcastic or what dahil hindi malabong gawin niya talaga iyon. "Two mugs, really, Ryo?"

I faced him. I saw the corner of his lips tug upwards before quickly finishing his drink. "Marami kasing mug. Sayang kung 'di ko ita-try lahat."

My eyes rolled upwards upon hearing that. Natuon ulit ang atensiyon ko sa TV nang makita ko na ulit ang mukha ni Talie. I stole another glance at Ryo and saw his brows furrowing upon seeing Talie's face.

Kasabay ng intense music ay ang halakhak ni Talie na halatang kinakabahan o baka pinepeke niya lang. The host then asked controversial questions, mula sa rivalry-kuno nila ng isa pang bagong reporter na halos kaparehas niya ng kalibre.

And finally, love life. They first talked about the guys who were linked with her, at hindi ko alam kung bakit panay ang likot nitong katabi ko. Humigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa mug.

Ano? Hindi ka mapakali riyan? Bakit para kang inasinan?

"Are you dating someone?"

Cue in the wild audience screeches. Talie chuckled, letting her head fall back a little, and tucking a band of hair behind her ears after.

"I'll leave the answer to your imagination," she answered confidently, leaving the host in laughter.

"Sige, clue na lang," the host said. Luminga siya sa studio audience bago harapin ulit si Talie. "Is he a pro basketball player?"

"Whoo." Napalingon ako kay Ryo. He was blowing air on his palms. Pagkatapos ay pinagpag niya ang kamay niya. Nang makitang nakalingon ako ay tumigil siya sa ginagawa.