(Noam's POV)
"PAANONG hindi ka sasama?"
"May lakad kasi ako ngayon." Medyo hirap kong sagot kay Enzo. "Pasensya na talaga ah? Marami kasi akong gagawin ngayong araw kaya hindi ako makakasama sa inyo."
"Oh, it's okay. Sasabihin ko nalang kayna Andrei at Jethro, pero saan ba yung lakad mo? Baka pwede ka naming isabay at ibaba roon sa pupuntahan mo."
Kinagat ko yung ibabang labi ko habang hinihigpitan yung pagkakatali ng itim na plastic bag. Punong-puno iyon ng laman kaya nahihirapan akong ibuhol yung taas non para isara.
"Hindi na, kaya ko na. Tsaka dyan lang naman ako sa mall pupunta, may kikitain lang."
"Okay, sige. If that's what you want. Tawagan mo lang kami kung may kailangan ka."
Nagpasalamat ako sa kanya bago natapos yung tawag.
Maingat kong tinanggal yung cellphone mula sa pagkakaipit sa balikat at tenga ko tsaka ibinato sa sofa bago nilingon yung iba pang plastic na naglalaman ng kung ano-anong basura at mga bagay na hindi ko na kailangan. Nagkalat sila sa sahig kasama ng alikabok na nalinis ko mula sa mga estante at cabinet pero hindi tulad kanina na makalat. Ngayon ay ilalabas nalang ang basura at lilinisin ang sahig.
Sabado kasi ngayon kaya nag-ge-general cleaning ako. Pagwawalis at pagpupunas lang ng mga bintana at sahig lang ang nagagawa ko sa araw-araw dala ng pagiging busy sa trabaho. Imbes na sumama kayna Jethro na gumala ay mas pinili kong maglinis, routine na rin kasi namin yon na sa loob ng isang buwan eh kakain kaming apat sa labas pero iba kasi ngayon.
Ito yung araw na sinabi kong mag-di-dinner kami ni Morgan at treat ko, syempre hindi ko yun nakalimutan. Tutuparin ko yung pangako kong ilibre sya, tulad ng pagtupad nya sa pangako nya.
"Let me stay in your life." Anya. "Then I'll spend every minute of my own life fixing everything that is shattered inside you."
Ngumiti ako nang maalala yung mga sinabi nya kasabay ng pag-iinit ng mga pisngi ko.
Masyadong mabilis yung oras, ni hindi ko namalayang nasasanay na pala ako sa presensya nya. Hindi lumilipas ang isang araw na hindi kami nagkikita ng isa o dalawang beses, nakagawian nya na ring magpunta sa eskwelahan para lang makipag-lunch sakin. Ang dami ko ng nagamit na excuse sa mga kaibigan ko masabayan ko lang syang kumain, ewan ko pero ayoko muna syang ipakilala kayna Enzo.
Minsan tuloy pakiramdam ko tama lang talaga na nagkakilala kami ni Morgan. Kahit papaano ay nababawasan yung mga iniisip ko.
Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na buntong hininga bago pinagmasdan yung mga plastik ng basura, matapos bilangin kung ilan ang mga yon ay nilingon ko yung wall clock.
"Ala-una pa lang, alas tres y medya kami magkikita. May oras pa ako para mag-ayos."
Hindi pa kasi ako naliligo, masyado akong busy para maglinis ng bahay to the point na hindi na rin muna ako naligo hehehe. Ayos lang, hindi naman malalaman ni Morgan tsaka mamaya pa naman kami magkikita.
Sinubukan kong bitbitin yung pinakamalaking garbage bag pero hindi ko mabuhat dala ng sobrang bigat kaya nagpasya akong hilahin nalang palabas.
"A-ang bigat..." Pinunasan ko yung pawis sa noo ko tsaka binuksan yung pinto bago ipinagpatuloy yung paghila. "C'mon, m-magpahila ka na, maliligo pa ako-ah!"
Hindi ko naituloy yung sasabihin ko dahil may kung anong malambot yung dumampi sa pisngi ko. Otomatiko ko rin na nabitawan yung plastik at napaatras habang nanlalaki ang mga matang nakatingin sa kanya.
"Morgan?!" Sinapo ko yung pisngi ko na paniguradong namumula na ngayon matapos nyang halikan.
"Hey." Hinawi nya yung berde nyang buhok na marahang dinadala ng hangin.
Langhap na langhap ko yung amoy ng usok ng sigarilyo mula sa kanya, malamang ay nagyosi sya bago magpunta rito. Sa totoo lang gusto ko syang pagsabihan na tumigil na sa paninigarilyo dahil nakakasama yon pero hindi ko rin magawa kasi ayokong maging pakielamero.
"A-anong ginagawa mo rito?"
"It's our date today, have you forgot?"
"Oo nga ang kaso ay ala una pa lang, tsaka sa mall tayo magkikita dapat diba?"
"I got excited, I guess." Bumaba yung tingin nya sa plastic. "You're cleaning?"
"O-oo, kaya hindi ka dapat nagpunta ng maaga." Nahihiyang anya ko.
Nginisihan nya lang ako tsaka sinubukang sumilip sa loob pero pinigilan ko sya. "What? Let me see."
"Wag! N-nakakahiya, ang daming basura sa loob."
"What's so embarrassing with that? There are also plenty of garbage outside but no one seems to care about it."
Kumunot yung noo ko sa sinabi nya. Nahalata nya yatang hindi ko sya nauunawaan kaya lumingon sya sa railings at may itinuro sa baba. Sinundan ko ng tingin yung itinuro nya tsaka napanganga.
Yung mga tambay sa labas kasi yung tinututuro nya, yun yung tinutukoy nyang basura. Sila yung laging nagkakalat ng mga bote ng beer at upos ng sigarilyo sa kalapit na court, kung saan-saan din sila dumudura at umiihi na syang pinoproblema ng landlord namin.
"Sira." Saad ko tsaka mahina syang tinapik sa braso.
Maliit na ngiti lang yung pinakawalan nya bilang sagot sakin.
"Look at you." Naglabas sya ng panyo tsaka ako hinila sa kwelyo para mapalapit sa kanya. "You're sweating."
"T-teka wag mo kong dikitan, hindi pa ako naligo-"
"I know."
Pinamulahan ako ng mukha. "A-alam mo?"
"Yeah." Sinimulan nyang punasan yung pawis ko sa mukha. "I have a nose."
"A-alam kong may ilong ka, pero wag mo kong singhutin-" Suminghap ako nang lumapit sya sa leeg ko tsaka idinikit yung ilong nya ron. "M-morgan, ano ba..."
"You still smell nice tho, why is that?"
Hindi ako nakasagot sa kanya. Nakagat ko yung ibabang labi ko habang yung mga kamay ko ay nakaharang sa pagitan namin, nakapatong yon malapit sa balikat nya dahil sobrang lapit namin.
Nasisiraan na yata ako, para akong babaeng na-corner dito dahil ni hindi ko man lang magawang alisin yung pagkakahawak nya sa kwelyo ng t-shirt ko, isang kamay lang yung nakahawak doon pero malakas pa rin yung pwersa nya, mas lalo akong hindi makagalaw nang dumapo balakang ko yung kamay nya na parang nakaalalay ron.
"H-hindi pa ako naliligo, Morgan..." Naiiyak na sa kahihiyang anya ko. Nakakahiya kasi dahil amoy pawis ako, tho naghilamos at nag-toothbrush naman ako pero kasi nakakahiya pa rin na makita nya kong ganito.
Para akong timang na biglang natawa at umiktad, bumaba kasi yung pagkakadampi ng ilong nya sa ibabang leeg ko dahilan para makiliti ako.
Gulat naman syang lumayo sakin tsaka namamanghang pinagmasdan ako.
"Does it tickles?"
Tumango ako tsaka tinakpan yung parte ng leeg kong yun. "May kiliti ako ron."
"I see." Muling tumaas yung sulok ng labi nya tsaka ako binitawan. "I'll remember that sensitive spot of yours."
Mahina ko syang hinampas sa balikat pero nanatili lang syang nakangisi kaya bumalik ako doon sa paghila ng plastic. Kunwari hindi ako apektado sa mga pinaggagagawa at pinagsasabi nya.
"Are you going to pull that down to the ground floor?"
"Oo. Iiwan ko sya ron."
Tinuro ko yung pwesto kung saan pini-pick up ng truck yung mga basura na sinundan nya naman ng tingin.
"Let me help you then."
"W-wag na." Pigil ko noong akmang hahawakan nya yung kabilang parte ng plastic. "Kaya ko na."
"But that looks heavy."
"Kaya ko na to, baka marumihan ka lang sayang yung damit mo."
"It's fine, I don't mind getting dirty." Mariin at double meaning na saad nya kaya pinaningkitan ko sya ng mata.
Alam ko yung tono nyang yon, malamang inaasar nanaman nya ko sa mga salita nyang may ibang ibig sabihin. Dagdag pa riyan yung bahagyang pagtaas ng sulok ng labi nya at pagtitig sa akin ng diretso.
Pasaway.
"Ayan ka na naman sa mga kalokohan mo, wag ka ng makulit at hintayin mo nalang ako rito." Ani ko pero hindi talaga sya nakinig.
Naestatwa ako nang hubarin nya yung jacket nya tsaka ibinato sa akin na nasalo ko naman.
"Ano ba? Ako na lang sabi ang hihila-" Nag-init yung buong mukha ko nang mapagtanto yung sunod nyang ginawa. "Morgan?!"
Parang wala syang narinig, bagkus ay nagpatuloy sya. Tila lalakeng hinawakan nya yung laylayan ng damit nya mula sa likuran tsaka hinila iyon pataas para hubarin, halos tumakbo yung puso ko palabas ng katawan ko dahil sa kakaibang kaba nang makitang tanging sportsbra na lang ang natira bilang pang-itaas nya.
Gusto kong mag-iwas ng tingin pero hindi ko magawa. Para bang bumagal bigla yung takbo ng oras, napapalunok ako habang pinagmamasdan sya hanggang sa bumaba yung tingin ko sa katawan nya.
Tama lang yung laki ng katawan nya, hindi payat at hindi rin mataba, katamtaman lang ang laki ng dibdib nya at talaga namang maliit ang bewang! Ang sexy nyang tingnan dahil napaka-proportionate ng katawan nya pero hindi yun yung mas nagpatulala sakin.
'Audentis fortuna iuvat'
Naka-tattoo yung mga salitang yon sa maliliit na letra. Nasa tagiliran nya yon pababa hanggang bewang, hindi ko alam ang ibig sabihin non pero mukhang salitang latin.
"Is this yours?" Tukoy nya sa mga damit kong nakasampay sa hallway.
Isang tango lang ang naisagot ko dala ng pagkatulala.
Walang pagdadalawang isip nyang kinuha yung isa sa mga sando kong nakasampay doon at isinuot habang iniabot nya sakin yung t-shirt nya kanina. Lalong naghurumentado yung puso ko matapos nyang isuot yon dahil humapit yung tela ng damit sa lahat ng kurba ng katawan nya.
Ang... ang sexy.
"You're so skinny that your top actually fits on me."
"O-oo nga." Napahigpit yung yakap ko sa jacket at t-shirt nya.
Muli nyang hinawi ang buhok tsaka itinali gamit ang goma mula sa bulsa nya. Nananadya yata yung hangin kasi talagang umaalon yung kulay berde nyang buhok habang nagtatali sya.
Parang nang-aakit.
"Now..." Nameywang sya. "How do I look?"
Lumunok ako tsaka nagpakawala ng pilit na ngiti. "B-bagay sayo."
"I see, you got struck by my beauty."
"A-ano?!" Pinandilatan ko sya kasabay ng pag-awang ng labi ko.
S-struck? Beauty? N-nababaliw na ba sya? Sinasabi ba nyang tinamaan ako sa ganda nya? I mean, oo nga m-maganda sya at s-sexy! Pero kailangan pa ba talagang sabihin ko sa kanya na tama yung iniisip nya-a-ang ibig kong sabihin, h-habang tumatagal ay yumayabang sya. T-tama! H-hindi na honesty yon, boasting na yon!
Nakakalokong ngisi lang ang sinagot nya bago kinuha yung kabilang dulo ng garbage bag. "C'mon, let's dump this one so that we can finish early."
Napapantastikuhan ko syang tinitigan pero bumalik na sa pagiging seryoso yung mukha nya kaya wala akong nagawa kundi ang tulungan sya.
Hindi ko maitatanggi pero natutuwa akong nagpunta sya ng maaga.
***
NAGHAHABOL ng hininga na sumandal ako sa poste malapit sa pinagtapunan namin nung basura. Hindi ko mailarawan yung pagod ko kakabuhat ng mga basurang yon, ni hindi ko nga alam kung bakit ganon karami yung basura sa unit ko.
"Are you okay?"
Tinanguan ko sya pero mas lalo lang syang nag-alala. Nilabas nyang muli yung panyo nya tsaka pinunasan yung pawis ko, tagaktak rin naman yung pawis nya at naghahabol rin sya ng hininga pero bakit parang hindi naman sya mukhang pagod?
Samantalang ako parang tumakbo ng kilo-kilometro ang layo.
"H-hindi ka ba... n-napapagod?" Hinawakan ko yung kamay nya tsaka kinuha yung panyo para sya naman ang punasan. "I think... I'm g-gonna die..."
"It's not that tiring, I feel like I just got warmed up for work out."
Pinanlakihan ko sya ng mata. "W-warm up pa lang sayo yon?"
"Yeah." Tinusok-tusok nya yung mga braso kong tila lantang sanga ng puno dahil sa panlalambot. "These reminds me of a wet spaghetti noodle."
"Hey, hindi naman ako ganon kapayat." Nginusuan ko sya pero yung nguso ko naman yung sinundot-sundot nya.
"I think you need to work out a little bit."
"Baka mamatay ako."
Mahina syang natawa sa sinabi ko na nagpa-estatwa sakin. "Silly, it's not that hard."
"Madali lang para sayo." Hinawakan ko yung pisngi ko para itago yung pamumula non. "Paano naman ako? Mahina resistensya ko tsaka madali akong mapagod."
Sumipol sya. "Oh, that's why you really have to do some work out. How are we supposed to make love all day in the near future if you have such a weak body-"
"Morgan!" Tinakpan ko yung bibig nya pero madali nyang nahuli yung kamay ko. "A-ano bang pinagsasabi mo? Tumigil ka nga."
"You're blushing. Are you embarrassed?"
"Oo, hindi ba halata? Kung ano-ano na naman kasi ang pinagsasabi mo dyan."
"You shouldn't be, we're both adults now. Talking about lust and sensual activities are normal-"
"O-oo nga normal yun pero please, hindi normal na pag-usapan yon sa public place, okay?"
"Then should we continue this in private?"
Lalong nag-init yung mga pisngi ko. Hindi na lang ako sumagot at mahinang hinampas tung braso nya.
Tinitigan nya muna ako bago umangat ang kamay nya para abutin yung buhok ko. Akala ko ay guguluhin nya yon pero nagulat ako nang suklayin ng mga daliri nya paitaas yung bangs ko dahilan para lumitaw yung noo ko, mas hindi ko inasahan yung pagdampi ng labi nya ron tsaka muling inilayo ang mukha para pakatitigan ako.
"Cute." Anya sabay tipid na ngumiti.
Kusa na lang lumitaw yung ngiti sa labi kong yon kasabay ng pagkabog ng dibdib ko. Ewan ko ba, hindi ko na nakokontrol yung mga nagiging reaksyon ko kapag sya yung kasama ko. Napapangiti na ako ng kusa hindi tulad noon na pilit.
Parang... parang natural lang ang lahat.
"Hoy, sinong nagsabing pwede kayong magtapon ng basura ng libre dyan?!"
Sinilip ko mula sa likuran ni Morgan yung may ari ng boses na yon. Lumunok ako nang magtama yung tingin namin.
Yun yung mga tambay eh. Malakas talaga silang mantrip at madalas mangotong sa mga tao rito, walang nakakapalag kahit yung landlord dahil parte raw sila ng isang malaking organisasyon.
"T-tara na, wag mo silang pansinin." Bulong ko sa kanya.
Pinagtaasan nya muna ako ng kilay bago nilingon yung tatlong lalaki na naglalakad palapit sa direjsyon namin.
"Morgan..." Hinatak ko yung laylayan ng damit nya pero hindi sya kumikilos. "Morgan, tara na..."
"Hoy! Hindi yata nakikinig to eh!" Lapit nung isa. "Ikaw yung binabae sa 2nd floor diba? Nakalimutan mo na ba yung batas dito?!"
Dinuro-duro nya ko sa balikat kaya napahawak ako ron. Binigyan ko sila ng pekeng ngiti bago ako dumukot ng pera sa bulsa ko.
"H-hindi ko nakalimutan."
...at hindi ako binabae.
Gusto ko sanang sabihin yon pero noong huling sinagot ko sila ay nakatikim ako ng batok.
"Wala yata yung bodyguard mo?!" Tukoy nya kay Jethro.
Hindi ko sya sinagot. Hindi nila ako malapitan kapag kasama ko si Jethro dahil takot sila sa kanya, nakatikim kasi sila ng banat kay Jethro noon nang gawin nila sakin to.
"Ano, magbibigay ka ba o hindi?"
"M-magbibigay."
"Ayan, ayan, buti naman at nagkakaintindihan tayo." Nilingon nya si Morgan na nanatiling nakatingin sa kanila. "Oh, sino tong chix na to? Girlfriend mo?"
"A-ah k-kaibigan ko, h-hindi sya taga-rito kaya sana h-hayaan nyo nalang sya."
Sinamaan nya ko ng tingin kaya napakagat ako sa labi ko. Base sa reaksyon nya ay hindi nya nagustuhan yung sinabi ko.
"Kung makapag-salita ka parang hinaharass kita palagi ah?!"
"H-hindi sa ganon..."
"Sumasagot ka pa?!" Napaiktad ako nang inambaan nya ako pero hindi naman nya tinuloy, inipit nya yung sigarilyo sa labi nya. "Pasalamat ka at may babae rito kundi kanina pa kita kinaltukan."
"Wag mong takutin, boss. Teacher to sa isang private school." Akbay sakin nung isa kaya langhap ko yung masangsang na amoy ng sigarilyo't alak sa kanya.
"Oo nga." Pangga-gatong pa nung isa. "Baka isipin nya bad influence tayo."
Bad influence naman talaga. Silang tatlo yung sisiga-siga rito eh, mga tambay na walang magawa.
"A-ah, pasensya na pero nagmamadali kasi kami." Nakangiti kong inabot yung pera sa kasamahan nya. "Heto, p-pasensya na talaga."
Sinilip nilang tatlo yung perang binigay ko tsaka ngumiwi pero hindi sila nagkomento. Basta na lang nila pinaghatian yon tsaka ibinulsa bago ako sinulyapan.
"Maswerte ka ngayon at hindi ka namin didikdikin kahit kulang tong binigay mo." Sinamaan nya ko ng tingin tsaka itinuro. "Tandaan mo, parte kami ng Styx Organization. Kapag binigyan mo ulit kami ng kulang na bayad patay ka samin-ack!"
Nalaglag yung panga namin sa biglaang pagkilos ni Morgan. Sobrang bilis nung galaw nya ni hindi man lang kami nakakurap.
Walang pasabi nya kasing tinamaan yung lalamunan ng lalaki bago hinampas nung palad nya yung mismong bibig nito, dahilan para pumasok sa loob ng bibig non yung sigarilyo. Sa gulat namin ay hindi kami nakagalaw o nakapagsalita man lang lalo na noong pinisil ni Morgan yung pisngi nung lalaki habang hawak nito ang kumikirot na sariling lalamunan.
"What a f*ckin joke."
Medyo kinabahan ako sa tono ng boses nya. Walang-wala kasing mababakas na emosyon doon, sobrang seryoso, hindi ko mahulaan kung galit ba sya o ano. Hindi ko naman masilip kung anong itsura nya dahil nakatalikod sya sakin.
Nakita ko na syang makipaglaban noong pangalawang beses na magkita kami at masasabi kong hindi biro yung mga kilos nya. Kung gugustuhin nya, pwedeng-pwede nyang puruhan itong mga taong ito.
"Styx Organization member, huh?"
"M-morgan, hayaan mo na-"
"I won't cut them some slack right after spitting b*llshits to us."
"Morgan naman..."
"Stay here." Sinipat nya ako nang may madilim na mukha tsaka bahagyang pinaatras dahilan para kabahan ako.
"A-anong gagawin mo?"
Nginitian nya ko na mas lalong nagpakaba sakin.
"I'll just take care of these garbages first."
Hindi ko alam kung galit ba sya o ano dahil nanatiling blanko yung ekspresyon ng mukha nya kahit na ngumiti sya, pero isa lang ang naramdaman ko habang pinagmamasdan sya.
Takot.
Ganon rin yung dalawang lalaki sa gilid ko na hindi na nakakilos at nanatiling nakatitig na lang kay Morgan na para bang may mangyayaring hindi maganda kung gagalaw sila.
Kaya imbes na hayaan sya ay mabilis ko syang kinapitan sa braso kasabay ng mariin kong pagpikit. Ramdam kong natigilan sya dahil hindi nya inasahan yun pero wala akong pakielam.
"Morgan, wag."
"Noam-"
"Please..." Hinarap ko sya na ngayo'y nakakunot na ang noo habang nakatingin sakin. "Morgan, please?"
Ilang segundo nya akong tinitigan bago pabatong binitawan yung lalaki. Dinaluhan naman agad nung dalawa yung kasamahan nilang napaluhod sa sahig tsaka nagsimulang sumuka. Halos hindi sila makatingin kay Morgan. Yung klase kasi ng tingin ni Morgan sa kanila ay pababa, na para bang napakataas nya at hindi sya yuyuko para lang tingnan ang mga ito, isang bagay na nagpalito sakin.
Inabot nya yung kamay kong naka-angkla sa braso nya at marahang hinila para lalong magkadikit yung katawan naming dalawa.
"Watch your back." Banta nya. "You might be gone one of these days." Saad nya bago ako iginiya sa paglalakad pabalik sa tinutuluyan ko.
Walang sumagot sa tatlo pero base sa pamumutla ng kutis at pamamawis nila matapos ko silang bigyan ng huling sulyap ay alam kong takot na takot sila.
(Morgan's POV)
THE white smoke from the cigarette that I've been savoring for almost thirty minutes was being swayed away by the warm breeze as I stare on the clear blue sky.
I was leaning on the wall beside his unit's door, waiting for him to get done preparing himself before we could off to go on the mall but it seems like he's taking his time. I have no choice but to wait outside since I'm smoking, I don't want to be rude and leave some scent inside his home.
Smoking is the only thing that calms me whenever I'm stressed or if I am losing control of myself again, but how did Noam managed to make me do as he say? It was strange. I never hear anything when I'm losing control of myself, it's not that I don't want to listen but my senses are not functioning well when I'm out of control.
But Noam, I heard him. I heard how he begged for me to stop and I hate it. I don't like him begging to me, I don't wan't to hear him again saying 'please'. It sounded so different in my ears to the point that it gave me this unusual feeling of desire to make him beg for something else.
"I imagined him begging for something dirty from me..." I groaned before shaking my head to erase those green thoughts coming inside my mind. "The f*ck is wrong with me?"
Is this the consequence of hanging out with Veronica? Her perverted thoughts and ideas are penetrating the walls of my brain, making me to think of my own version of lustful fantasies.
Fantasy like seeing Noam's blushing face while sweating, looking at me with his pleading teary eyes, biting his pinkish lips as he kneel in front of me.
'Morgan, please...'
"What the-" I grimaced. "Go the f*ck away."
I threw half of the cigar on the floor and stomped it to put the fire out before scratching my head, ruining my pony tailed hair because of frustration. That d*mn thought kept on bugging my mind! This is not f*cking good!
"Shoo, dirty thoughts, shoo, shoo-"
"Morgan?"
"W-what?!" I uttered in surprise.
He looked at me with a frown, his eyes were flickering in adoration and bafflement is written all over his face. I felt the beating of my heart inside my chest suddenly got faster, it was like I'm nervous.
I can smell the fragrant floral scent of his cologne plus the scent from the soap or shampoo that he used. It's surprisingly soothing than the cold methol smell of my usual cigarette.
"Ayos ka lang ba?"
"Y-yeah. I-it's just that... the... the f-fly-right, the fly." I cleared my throat and did some hand gestures as if I'm really shooing something on the air. "There was a lot of fly here earlier."
"Talaga?"
"Yes."
"Parang wala naman." He said while glancing.
"Because I already drove them away."
"Ah."
He looked at me with his squinting eyes as if he's suspecting me of lying, I can't help but to look away-wait. Why am I looking away?
I, Morgan Saavedra Verdan have never stutter in my whole life. This is the first time that I stuttered while I'm speaking as if I'm having a hard time to speak and why the hell am I looking away from his gaze? I always look at people's eyes straight and never break away the stare unless they do it first so why is it difficult for me to look at him right now?
Is it because of those dirty thoughts? The f*ck, it might really because of those dirty thoughts.
And what the f*ck is happening with my heart? It's beating fast, was it due to excitement or nervousness? Maybe both. I'm excited to see him on that kind of fantasy and nervousness at the same time on the idea that he might catch me thinking some lewd things about him-the hell. Why am I feeling these unusual feelings towards him? Is this some kind of sorcery or what?
"Pinagpapawisan ka, sabi ko kasi sayo doon ka na sa loob maghintay para may electric fan ka ron." He suddenly said.
He reached for my forehead and wiped it with his own hanky, he did that to my whole face until his hand reached on my neck before he finished.
"I don't want to leave some cigarette scent on your place."
"Madadala naman ng hangin palabas yung amoy pagkatapos mo." He smiled.
I extended my hand to reach his own hand and held it tight. He didn't complained about it but he began talking instead as we walk towards the stairs. He's telling me some of the things that he experienced these past few days, he's talking excitedly with a smile on his pinkish lips and I don't know why but I feel weird while listening to him.
I feel... calm and cozy.
***
WE went to the nearest mall and we're now on our way to the supermarket to buy some stuffs that he needed. Our hands are still intertwined while walking towards our destination.
I noticed that Noam was a bit talkative today unlike before, he kept on talking to me even though I'm not answering him because I actually don't know what to say and besides, I enjoy listening to him since he look very excited.
"May mga allergies ka ba, Morgan?" I shake my head as an answered and he beamed as his eyes glittered in joy. "Mabuti naman kung ganon. Hindi ko pala kailangan na mag-worry sa kung anong iluluto ko."
My feet automatically stopped from walking out of surprise before taking a glance at him who's now looking at me with confusion.
"Bakit ka huminto? May problema ba?"
"I thought you'll treat me dinner?"
His delicious looking lips pouted so cutely that made my heart flutter a little bit. "Oo nga, treat ko, pero imbes na sa restaurant ay doon tayo sa bahay ko kakain. Ipagluluto kita ng kahit anong gusto mo kaya isinama na rin kita sa pagbili ng ingredients."
I felt my throat became dry all of a sudden as my mouth went half open in awe. There are no words coming out from it but I just can't close it on my own. I'm not mistaken right? He said he'll cook for me. He tagged me along because he wants to buy the ingredients with me.
I feel warm again.
Looks like he noticed that I was stiffened on my place, he touched my chin and slowly closed it on my behalf before letting out an endearing giggle.
"Ang cute mo." He said while still giggling.
"Noam."
"Hmn?"
"You'll really cook for me?"
He bit his lower lip and I can't help but to clear my throat because of that. "Ayaw mo ba?"
"No, it's not that." I answered in panic. "I was just astonished because of what you've said."
"Ah, nakahinga ako ng maluwag. Akala ko kasi ayaw mo."
"You just caught me off guard, that's all."
Noam plastered a smile on his face once again before pulling my hand to start walking again. It only took him seconds before he began talking again, it seems like he got a lot of words to tell.
So talkative. Cute.
"May tattoo ka pala sa tagiliran."
"Yeah."
"Wala lang, ang astig lang tingnan sayo."
I chuckled right after hearing his praise, his words kinda made me feel confident.
"Audentis fortuna iuvat." I stated. "It's a latin maxim that says that 'Fortune favors the brave', it means a person who is brave enough to take a risk is the one who most likely to succeed."
"Uy, gusto ko yan. Ang ganda ng meaning."
"You like it?" He nodded. "I have another one on my back, it's kinda large."
His eyes flickered in amusement. "Talaga?"
"Yeah."
"Pwede ko bang makita sa susunod?" He asked politely while slightly pouting his lips. "Kung okay lang sana. Hindi ko kasi napansin kanina."
"Sure. You can also touch it if you want-"
"H-hindi na, tingin lang gusto ko." He whispered, cutting my words off.
"Okay." I nodded. "But I'm still giving you a heads up in case that you have changed your mind."
"Sira."
One of the corner of my lips tugged up involuntarily. I like how he was easily embarrass by the things that I've been saying, his face was always blushing cutely. Like a ripe tomato ready to picked up from it's mother plant.
"Thank you, Morgan." He blurted that made me confused.
"For what?"
His other hand went to my arm and hugged it just like what he did earlier on his apartment. He's clinging on it like a child who's afraid to be lost while staring at me with his puppy eyes.
"Thank you sa lahat-lahat ng ginagawa mo. Masaya akong nakilala kita at syempre mas masaya ako dahil unti-unti kitang nakikilala. Tatlo lang yung kaibigan na meron ako kaya masaya ako kasi nandyan ka. You're making me feel at ease, hindi ko alam kung bakit pero sobrang kumportable ko sayo kahit minsan may pagka-weird ka."
So I'm weird, huh?
My eyes kept on staring and blinking at him. I'm amused on his long thick eyelashes that flutters elegantly everytime that he blinks and that lips that unconsciously seducing me by biting and pouting it, plus his cheeks that keeps on blushing every d*mn second.
It really makes me wonder on what way his parents made him that he actually turned out to be this beautiful.
"You gotta stop doing that."
His eyes widen and made a frown. "Itigil ang alin?"
"Saying and doing things that makes me wanna kiss you."
"Baliw." He chuckled and tapped my arm lightly. "Bawal ang kiss, magkaibigan tayo diba?"
"Can't we skip that part and just go on the next level?"
"Nope." He answered in a sing-song tone that made me groan out of disappointment as we continue our walk.
The one and only Morgan Verdan-that is feared by almost everyone who knows me-was called weird and crazy by this gorgeous man walking beside me? Unbelievable.
But why the heck am I not affected?
(Beau's POV)
FINDING people was always been an easy task for me.
Eversince I was born, everyone have seen me as a child prodigy. I'm talented in so many ways but I still chose to be a computer specialist just like my parents. Parehong magaling na hacker ang mga magulang ko noong kabataan nila so I can say that I've learned from the best but my experiences and knowledge molded me even more, turning me from the best into the greatest.
Wala akong hindi kayang gawin. I'm born talented especially in computer skills! I can find whoever and wherever it is that they asked me to find! I can hack and track anyone in just one click! I can infiltrate any websites, even the deepest part of the world wide web!
So why?!
Why can't I find anything about this man named Noam Rivera?!
"This task is making me insane! Why would Morgan be interested on someone's background if that someone doesn't even have a background in the first place?!"
Halos mahilo na ako kaka-scroll sa isa sa mga screen ng computer ko. I've been glancing left and right just to find anything related on my searches but just like what's happening these past few days there's still nothing!
Am I missing something?! Or did I just talked big in front of Morgan?! Pero I can really find people in just a few seconds so why?! Why is this happening to me?!
"This is impossible!" Singhal ko bago ibinato yung mouse sa pader.
Hinihingal kong tinitigan yung pinagbagsakan nung sirang mouse na yon. Nagtambakan na rin doon yung mga keyboard, laptops, tablets at iba pang technologies na naibato ko roon sa sobrang bwiset.
Several days have passed and yet I can't still find it! Sa tanang buhay ko ngayon lang ako nahirapan maghanap sa profile ng isang tao, isang taong nagtatrabaho bilang guro pero wala man lang record na nagpapatunay na isa syang teacher?!
"He's like a f*ckin ghost!" Sumandal ako sa gaming chair ko tsaka humigop sa ika-tatlong tasa ko ng kape ngayong araw.
Kinagat ko yung labi ko dala ng kaba. Hindi kaya mali yung spelling? O baka hindi naman talaga sya teacher? Baka may mali sa impormasyon na sinabi sakin ni Morgan pero paano kung tama? Paano kung wala lang talaga syang records pero paano yun nangyari? That's really impossible! There's no way a living person doesn't have any records that serves as a proof that he's really living at all!
Birth certificate! NBI clearance! Teaching license! National ID! Lahat! Walang kahit ano! I even searched for him on the other countries' database, hinanap ko kung sa ibang bansa naka-register yung pangalan nya pero wala pa rin akong nakita!
Hindi ko alam kung anong relasyon ni Morgan sa lalaking yon pero masama yung kutob ko. It was obviously strange for someone who's been teaching for several years in one of the most prestigious private school to not have any records at all!
Kinagat ko yung kuko ko. "I need to talk to Morgan-no, no. I can't, she's on a month leave!" Asar akong napasabunot sa buhok ko.
I can't believe that I, Beau Callen known as the computer genius was unable to find some data about that normal citizen?! And what's much more frustrating is that I can't even ask for advice from kuya Vince!
Something is not right. Kuya Vince always knew about everything dahil sya ang utak ng organisasyon, sa kanya kami nagre-report ng lahat ng nangyayari at ginagawang hakbang ng organisasyon kaya bakit ayaw sabihin ni Morgan yung tungkol sa paghahanap sa taong to? This is not good.
Just who the hell is that guy?!