"What?"
"Since your freshman year, I already like you."
He licked his lower lips while looking at me. Hinawakan niya ang pisngi ko at nilagay sa likod ng tainga ko ang mga nakaharang na buhok sa mukha.
"I saw you at the coffee shop, smiling while typing something on your laptop. You captured me by your smile," tumawa pa siya ng mahina na parang nahihiya.
Nakatulala lang ako habang nakikinig sa kanya. My heart is beating so loud, hindi ko na alam kung anong pakikinggan.
"Ayaw ko mang aminin sa sarili, but since then, I was attracted. I want to deny it. But who am I kidding? Lagi kaming pumupunta sa cafe na malapit sa building niyo dahil madalas kayo ro'n kahit napakalayo sa building namin. Worth it naman dahil tuwing nakikita kita ginagahan ako mag-aral. Nakakahiya naman sa crush kong mahilig mag-aral kung bobo ako." Natawa siya nang mukhang may maalala.
"One time, kinuha mo ang order ko dahil katunog ng pangalan ko ang ginamit mo sa order mo."
He looked at me tenderly with so much gentleness in his eyes. He's caressing my cheek like he can't believe I'm real in front of him.
"I adore your attitude. You're sweet and friends with everyone. I was infatuated. Hindi ko na alam kung anong pagpapansin pa ba ang kailangan kong gawin, nila-like ko ang mga post mo, sa building niyo kami lagi kumakain kahit pagpunta pa lang doon ubos na ang oras namin. Pero parang ang hirap mong abutin. I just want to admire you from afar."
His Adam's apple moved when he swallowed really hard.
"Then suddenly, you came into our house... as our maid?" he said, chuckling.
"Hindi ko na alam kung anong laro ang gusto ng tadhana pero hindi ko pinalagpas ang pagkakataong iyon. I took that opportunity to be close with you," pagpapatuloy niya.
Halo halong pakiramdam na ang nadarama ko. Parang sasabog na ang puso ko. I was too overwhelmed.
"You came here quiet and elusive, the Summer I know is cheerful. I tried my best to cheer you up, but I didn't know how."
I pouted. I felt bad. Sobrang sama ng loob ko n'on, pakiramdam ko ay pinagkaisahan ako ng mga magulang ko.
Bumaba ang tingin niya sa labi ko.
"That night, you are crying in my arms and learning your biggest fear made me want to protect you always. Damn, I fell harder," he admitted, still staring at my lips.
He licked his lower lip and raised his eyes on mine.
Lumapit siya lalo sa akin at hinawakan ang aking mga kamay. My heart is pounding so hard I thought it's going to break my ribcage.
"I'm saying this because I don't want you to conclude that my feelings are shallow. I've liked you for so long. Now, I'm falling harder and harder, at kailangan mo akong panagutan."
Natawa ako sa huling sinabi n'ya. Nahulog ako sa malalim na mga mata n'ya. I saw his eyes drop on my lips again and back on my eyes.
Parang kaming dalawa lang ang nasa lugar na iyon. Unti-unti ay lumapit ang mukha niya sa akin.
"Si Sheen-" I tried to ask, because I don't want this to come off as cheating.
I like him, I admit, but I won't tolerate cheating.
He smiled. Inilagay niya ang mga muling nakatakas na buhok ko sa likod ng aking tainga.
"She's just a friend, love."
"I only want you," he said as he crouched to reach my lips.
I felt his lips move that made me follow his rhythm. Napapikit ako sa marahan at masuyo nyang paghalik. He wrapped his arms around my waist.
His kiss was very soft and tender. He urged me to part my lips with his. He pressed my body on him, napakapit tuloy ako sa dibdib niya.
This is not my first kiss but I'm not an expert either. I'm panicking inside when he deepened the kiss more.
"What the hell are you doing?!"
Mabilis na tinulak ko si Everett palayo. Catching my breath, I looked at where the voice came from.
Sheena.
Pagilid na tumingin dito si Everett nang hindi nililigon at nakaharap pa rin sa puwesto ko kanina. Now, I'm behind his side.
Napairap ito sa nagsalita, "What?" Everett said, annoyed.
Natanaw ko pa ang mga kaibigan niya sa likod niya na may mapang-asar na ngiti. Damn, nakita nila ang halikan namin. Nakakahiya!
Dahan-dahan ay nagtago ako sa gilid ni Everett, hindi alam kung saan umiiwas. Sa mga mapanuksong tingin ba ng kanyang mga kaibigan o sa matalim na tingin ni Sheena.
"I swear I saw nothing," sabi ni Stein na iniwasan ang tingin ni Everett.
"I said, what are you two doing?" galit na galit na tanong ni Sheena.
"Kissing?"
Kumunot ang noo ko kay Everett. Akala ko ba hindi sila? Bakit ganito maka react naman 'to?
He shook his head with his defensive eyes when saw the suspicion on my eyes.
"Yes, babe. You're kissing your maid!" She spat those words with so much disgust.
Ouch! Her voice was laced with an insulting tone.
Ramdam ko ang pang mamaliit nito sa sinabi. It's not like maid is a disgusting job, this witch!
"What the fuck is your problem?" Hinawakan ko ang braso ni Everett para huminahon sya. Hindi man pagalit ang tono nito ay randam ko naman sa diin ng pagkakasabi niya.
"My problem? You invited me here at ito pa ang madadatnan ko rito?" naluluhang anito. She sounded like a girlfriend being cheated on.
Everett socffed, "I didn't invite you here, you suggested to do our project here."
"Come on, guys. Let's all calm down," Dwight interfered.
"Let's go to the kitchen, hmm?" I whispered, still holding his strong arms.
Nagpahila naman siya sa akin at nilagpasan na ang mga kaibigan niya.
Bahaw akong ngumiti nang madaanan namin sila manay, Mary, at Dadang na nanonood sa nangyaring sagutan kanina.
"Bakit ba kasi sinagot mo pa? You could have just let it pass," sermon ko rito at inabot ang baso ng malamig na tubig sa nakalahad niyang malaki at malapad na palad.
His features too manly and hard. But he acts otherwise.
I closed the fridge after he accepted the glass.
"I'm sorry, I got pissed with her tone," nanunuyong paliwanag niya.
Bakit sa akin ito nag so-sorry? I felt insulted pero hindi naman ako ang inaway niya doon.
"She's wrong and I won't let it pass like that."
I wonder if he got upset because it's me or he's just normally protective of the people inisde their house.
"You should just focus on what you're working on. You're graduating next year. You shoul-"
"Damn, I'm falling deeper every second," putol niya sa akin habang titig na titig na parang hindi nakikinig sa mga sinasabi ko.
Naramdaman ko ang pag init ng mukha ko sa sinabi nya. I wish I'm not blushing, that's so embarrassing.
Pairap kong iniwas ang tingin ko sakanya. Ang seryoso ng sinasabi ko dito tapos ay babanat siya ng gano'n? Hindi niya ba alam na nakakakilig 'yon!
"I'm serious, Everett. Talk it out with Sheena," I said seriously.
Naninimbang ang tingin nito sa akin. The side of his lips rose, can't take my seriousness seriously.
"Yes, ma'am," he said hoarsely.
His aura changed when he turned his back on me. I wonder if he's normally like this and just acts like a baby to me.
My b... boss hehe