Jillian didn’t sleep well last night, yet she still woke up early. At dahil alam niyang hindi naman na siya makakatulog ay bumangon na siya. Mas mabuting gawin niyang busy ang sarili para malibang at makalimutan ang muntik nang nangyari kagabi. But Jillian is doubtful she can forget the way Jason looked at her lips hungrily, as if he wanted to taste them.
Heck!
She’s actually sure Jason wanted to taste her lips! Hindi lang niya alam kung ano ang nangyari at sa huling sandali ay pinakawalan nito ang baba niya at mabilis na pumasok sa kwarto nito. Something is holding him back. And it's irritating, but at the same time, exciting. She's confused why he backed down when he admitted that he is attracted to her.
Well, technically, they both admitted being attracted to each other.
Jillian bit her lip as warmth spread in her face and a warm, tingling sensation in her stomach. Ang totoo’y iyon ang dahilan kaya hindi kaagad siya dinalaw ng antok at kaya maaga rin siyang bumangon. She’s looking forward seeing him again today. She’s excited. The last time she’d been this excited and giddy to leave her warm and comfy bed and start the day early was her first day in Med School – the first day of her journey in reaching her dreams.
Matapos magpalit ng damit ay dahan-dahang siyang lumabas ng kwarto at pumasok sa common bathroom sa dulo ng pasilyo. Naghilamos at nagtoothbrush lang siya. Alas sinko pa lang, mamaya na siya maliligo pagkatapos magkape. Ayaw niyang makabulahaw ng natutulog sa kabilang kwarto kaya dahan-dahan pa rin ang kilos na bumaba siya sa hagdanan. Pagdating sa kusina ay naglagay siya ng capsule sa coffee maker. The aroma of coffee filled the kitchen and it boosted Jillian’s good mood even further. Habang inaantay ang kape ay nagsalang na rin siya ng sinaing sa rice cooker. Kinuha niya ang kape, lumabas ng bahay at pumunta sa maliit na teresa. Ipinatong niya ang mug sa pasimano at nag-stretching.
She breathes deeply and filled her lungs with cool, morning air. Isa ito sa gusto niya sa probinsiya, malinis na hangin na sinamahan ng mabagong amoy ng bulaklak. Amoy ng sampaguitang nagmumula sa planters ang sumasama sa pang-umagang hangin. At lalo lang noong na-uplift ang pakiramdam ni Jillian. Napangiti siya. Ang garden ang isa sa mga nagustuhan niyang parte ng bahay. Maliit man iyon pero maraming ornamental at flowering plants. And those flowering plants brought happiness to her heart. It reminded her of her happy childhood. Its reminding her of her mom.
Matapos mapangalahati ang kape sa mug ay lumabas ng teresa si Jillian. Inabot niya ang hose na nasa gilid ng garden at binuksan iyon. Mula nang dumating sila dito ay dalawang beses pa lang niyang nadidiligan ang mga halaman dahil madalas na pagbaba niya ay nadiligan na iyon ni Jason.
Jillian hummed while watering the plants. Muli siyang napangiti at niyuko ang gumamelang dinidiligan. Naalala niya ang ina noon. Madalas nitong kausapin ang mga halamang inaalagaan. “Wow, you have such nice multi-coloured flowers, red in the middle and yellow outside. You are very pretty.”
“So are you. And you’re up early.”
Dagling napaharap si Jillian sa nagsalita sa likuran niya. Kung hindi pa kaagad umiwas si Jason ay hindi iiiwas ni Jillian ang hose na hawak. “Please give me a warning next time you’re near me. Nakakadalawang panggugulat ka na sa akin, Jason,” aniya na nakahawak sa dibdib.
“Sorry. Hindi ko alam na hindi mo naramdaman ang paglapit ko,” hinging-paumanhin nito.
“How would I know? You move like a panther stalking its prey. Wala man lang kahit munting kaluskos,” ani Jillian na pilit pa ring pinababagal ang tibok ng puso.
Jason’s face is partly hidden by shadow but she saw a corner of his lips lifted. “I’ll take that as a compliment, Jillian.”
“You can take that whatever you like. Anyway, sorry din. Naligo ka tuloy nang wala sa oras.” Nakagat ni Jillian ang labi habang nakatingin sa basang t-shirt nito.
Nagkibit-balikat si Jason. “T-shirt lang naman ang nabasa,” balewalang sagot nito, niyuko ang sarili at saka tumingin ulit sa kanya. “Nagsalang ka na pala ng sinaing.”
“I will take that as a thank you remark kahit na hindi ako sure kung thank you ba talaga o reklamo na hindi ko pa sinamahan ng ulam.”
Jason smiled amusedly. “That is a thank you remark, Jillian. At ako na ang bahalang magluto ng ulam.” His face maybe partly covered by the shadow but the light from the lamp post in the corner of the garden is enough for her to see the twinkle in his eyes. “Maiwan na muna kita at nakakaabala na yata ako sa inyo,” nanunudyong saad nito na nilinga ang mga halaman.
Ipinagpapasalamat ni Jillian na agaw-dilim pa at hindi abot ng ilaw sa teresa ang kinatatayuan niya. Naikumbli noon ang biglang namumula ng kanyang mukha, “Sabi ng mommy ko, mas lalong gumaganda ang mga halaman kapag nararamdaman nila na genuine concern at attention ang ibinibigay sa kanila,” defensive na sagot niya.
“And I completely agree. Ganyan din ang nanay ko. Kinakantahan pa nga niya ang mga halaman sa garden. It’s just that I can’t help but be jealous of the plants. Buti pa sila...” Jason let her see the emotion in his eyes. He successfully conveyed that he, too, is longing for her attention and care.
Umawang ang labi ni Jillian pero wala naman siyang masabi. Her heartbeat doubled when he startled her and his nearness is enough to create havoc in her system. And that burning look he gave her is not helping at all! It made her heart beat triple time.
“I’ll excuse myself. Magluluto lang ako ng agahan natin,” anito na tumalikod na. Pagdating sa teresa ay saka lang nito hinawakan ang laylayan ng nabasang damit at hinubad. She only got a glimpse of his sinewy back. Iyon ang unang beses na nakita niyang walang pang-itaas ang binata. Sa tuwina ay lagi itong naka-shorts at t-shirt sa bahay.
And seeing that broad shoulders and biceps, Jillian suddenly became curious about his chest and abs. She suddenly wondered how would he look like shirtless. Thought one thing is for sure judging by the way his t-shirt fit his body – he is toned and proportioned.
Lalong nag-init ang magkabilang pisngi ni Jillian sa imaheng biglang pumasok sa isip. Huminga siya nang malalim at saka binalingan ang mga dinidiligang halaman. Matapos diligan iyon ay saka niya binalikan ang kape sa teresa. Maligamgam na iyon kaya inisang lagok na niya.
Papasok na sana siya sa kusina nang marining na may kausap ang binata. Pagsilip niya ay nakatalikod ito, nakaharap sa stove pero hawak ang cellphone. Naka shorts lang ito at ang basang damit na hinubad kanina ay nasa sandalan ng dining chair. May ka-video call ito. Jillian hesitated to enter. At tulugan siyang napaatras at sumandal sa dingding nang marining ang sinabi ng kausap ni Jason.
“Isang linggo pa? Akala ko isang linggo lang ang ilalagi mo diyan? Namimiss na kita, anak.”
“Miss ko na rin kayo, Nay. Pero alam niyo naman ang anak ninyo, di ba? Duty first, family always.”
“Duty? Eh, di ba bakasyon ka nga? Dapat inuubos mo ang bakasyon mo sa paghahanap ng babaeng ipakikilala sa akin.”
Jason laugh, “Hayan na naman kayo. Darating tayo diyan, Nay. Anyway, kumusta sina Dhey at Laney?”
Rinig ni Jillian ang pagpapakawala nang malalim na hininga ng ina ni Jason, “At ayan ka na naman sa pag-iiba ng usapan. Kailan ka ba kasi uuwi dito na may kasama, anak? Yung kasamang babae at hindi ang mga magugulong barakong sundalo.”
Muling tumawa si Jason, “Babawi na lang ako pagdating ko diyan, Nay. Ipagluluto ko kayo.”
“Ako na ang bahala sa pagluluto, basta isama mo lang dito ang girlfriend mo.”
“Si Tatay pala po, kumusta?”
“Ayos naman. Nadadalas sa kapitbahay at nahiram ng apo ng iba. Kailan ba matatapos ‘yang ginagawa mo at nang makapagfocus ka naman sa paggawa ng apong aalagaan namin ng tatay mo?”
Ang lakas ng tawa ni Jason ay ganon na lang.
Dahan-dahang umatras si Jillian at umakyat sa hagdan. Nang makarating sa kwarto ay sumandal siya sa nakapinid na pinto. She’s torn between happiness and guilt. Knowing Jason would stay with her for another week excites her, but knowing that he is on vacation made her feel guilty. Bakasyon pala si Jason ngayon pero narito at sinasamahan siya imbes na nagre-relax itong kasama ang pamilya.
She better talk to his dad and come up with a much better arrangement, kaysa naman mang-abala siya ng bakasyon ng may bakasyon.
And speaking of bakasyon, ang pinakamagandang magagawa niya bago sila maghiwalay ni Jason ay i-treat ito sa isang bakasyon kahit na ba ngayong weekend lang. Well, she technically has until this weekend to be with him dahil itatawag niya sa ama na humanap na lang ng ibang magbabantay sa kanya.
Bumuntong-hininga muna si Jillian bago lumakad sa closet. She better take a bath now. Naging routine na nila ni Jason na alas sais ay maliligo na siya habang nagluluto ito ng agahan. Then they would eat together before he’ll take his shower while she took care of the dishes, and then they would head out.
Matapos maligo ay bumalik sa kwarto si Jillian at saka nagbihis. She donned a t-shirt, denim jeans and rubber shoes. Ganito ang usual get-up niya kapag may check-up sa mga barangay. Comfortable clothes dahil mapapasubo siya sa malayo-layong lakaran. She blowed dried her hair. Madalas na nakalugay lang ang buhok niya at hinahayang matuyo sa natural na paraan, pero dahil aalis mamaya ay ipupuyod na niya ang buhok ngayong umaga pa lang. She also put her things in her backpack instead of the usual handbag that she’s using daily. She applied powder and light lipstick, and head out of her room.
Pero pagbukas niya ng pintuan ng kwarto ay siyang bukas din ng pintuan ng banyo. And Jillian was rooted on the spot as her eyes remained glued in the sculptured body in front of her. Jillian blinked several times but she can’t keep her eyes off of Jason. Droplets of water still visible in his chiselled chest. Her eyes wander down to his toned, V-cut abs. He is wearing shorts and Jillian suddenly thought how would he look like if that short is also off of his body.
Jillian gulped. Her cheeks burned because of that wayward thought.
Jason cleared his throat. She looked up and saw the amusement in his dark orbs.
“I... Ahm. You... You took a shower...” Jillian mumbled and she wanted to put her palm on her face. She sounded like an idiot.
Jason’s amusement is vividly written on his face, “I did. Inantay kita sa baba pero napansin kong natatagalan kang lumabas sa kwarto. Naisip kong may ginagawa ka pa kaya nagdesisyon akong maligo na muna.”
“Ah.” Jillian absentmindedly nodded and gulped. “I mean… Yeah. Hindi mo kailangang magpaliwanang.”
“Nakahayin na sa ibaba. Pwede ka nang maunang kumain kung gusto mo. Magbibihis lang ako.” Isinampay ni Jason sa balikat ang tuyalwang ginamit.
“Okay. I’ll... I’ll go and wait for you downstairs,” ani Jillian na sumenyas pa na pababa na siya pero nanatili naman sa kinatatayuan.
“Okay.”
“Okay,” Jillian answered back under her breathe. Her eyes once again wandered down his amazing, sculptured body. The intensity of her desire to touch those toned muscle surprised Jillian. She bit her lip and held to the doorknob tightly to keep herself from walking towards him.
“I hope I’m up to par compared to those bodies you inspected before, Doctor Sullivan,” Jason murmured as he walked near her.
“What?” Jillian absentmindedly answered as her eyes slowly wander from his abs back to his face.
Ngumiti si Jason, pinihit pabukas ang pinto ng kwarto nito pero bago pumasok ay muling nagsalita, “I’ll see you downstairs, baby girl.”
Jillian let go of a huge breath as she stared at his closed door. She remembered her wishful thinking earlier – her wish to see him shirtless. And now that she did, she doesn’t know if that’s a good or bad thing. But one thing is for sure – she can never forget and will always visualize what’s underneath his shirt.
Jillian’s face heated. Tinampal niya ang noo at saka bumulong, “Get a grip, Jillian. Hindi siya ang unang shirtless na lalaking nakita mo.”
Huminga siya nang malalim, inilock ang pinto at bumaba ng hagdan. Pagdating sa kusina ay nagtimpla siya ulit ng kape. She’s a coffee lover. Besides, kailangan niya iyon para mawala ang agiw sa kanyang isip. Matapos makapagtimpla ng expresso ay naglagay siya ng isa pang capsule sa coffee maker para kay Jason. She noticed he like his coffee black, no cream and sugar. She closed her eyes and took a sip of her coffee. But she immediately opened her eyes as images of a freshly showered, amazing body flashed before her eyelids.
She lifted and hid her face on her coffee mug when she heard the light tap of his shoes in the stairs. Jillian’s heart went to her throat when his figure emerged from the kitchen door. He used to wear regular jeans and t-shirt, but today, Jason is in his complete military uniform. He maybe shirtless or in his uniform, but his affect in her is the same. Her heart racing, her fingers itching to touch him.
A corner of Jason's lifts curled upward. His smouldering eyes never left hers as he walk towards her. Jillian realized something as soon as their eyes met - what their feeling for one another is not just a mere attraction, it's stronger than she anticipated, it's very, very potent.
He stood in front of her. Jillian leaned on the counter for support because her knees suddenly shook. She breathes deeply when Jason reached behind her, trapping her between the counter and his body. "It's mine, right?" Jason asked huskily.
"Yes. Yours," Jillian answered hoarsely.
"Thank you, baby girl," Jason winked before he lifted the coffee mug to his lips. He took a sip but his eyes remained glued on hers.
And Jillian swayed as another realization hit her - Scratch the potent attraction! This is something else! And her poor heart is in grave danger.