The First Move
ANOTHER day, another slay. I'm going to the mall today because my hair needs some retouching because the dye is fading. Naligo na ako at nagbihis. I wore a lilac crisscross halter crop top and black baggy jeans. I partnered my outfit with my Louis Vuitton sliders. I picked up my black Prada baguette bag and put my things inside.
I left the room after I finished my make up. I sauntered towards the door, opening it. Nagulat ako nang makita si Croisx sa labas ng aking unit, six hours after he went to school.
He was still wearing the same clothes from earlier- a navy blue knitted sweater vest over a plain white shirt, a white cargo pants, and Nike shoes. He even wearing his green school ID!
"Ang aga mo, ah? Don't tell me nagcutting ka?" gulat na tanong ko habang nasa harapan ko siya.
He pursed his lips. "Free cut," sabi niya at kumunot noo nang mapansin ang ayos ko. "Are you going somewhere? Photoshoot?" he asked cluelessly.
I shook my head. "I'm heading to the mall. My hair needs some retouching," sabi ko at hinawakan pa ang buhok, pinapakita sa kaniya.
His lively expression became saddened. "Can I join you?" he asked in full of hope.
I nodded without hesitation. "Sure!" I chirped.
His lips automatically formed a subtle smile.
Hindi na nagpalit ng damit si Croisx. He just removed his school ID and brought out a medium-sized box from his unit. Pumunta na kami sa parking lot. I saw his expensive Ducati Panigale beside my Porsche.
Nang nasa tapat na kami ng sasakyan niya ay mabilis niyang binuksan ang kahon na bitbit at namilog ang mga mata ko nang makita ang laman. It's a matte pink helmet! May tatak na spyder ang helmet sa gilid. Para sa akin?!
"I bought you a helmet," he softly said, showing me the helmet.
Warmth enveloped my heart. "How much does this helmet cost? I'll pay you," I offered, but he shook his head, refusing my offer. "Ayaw mo?"
"You don't have to pay for it. I bought the helmet because I want to, not because you ask me to." He slid the helmet over my head before he opened the visor so I could see him clearly.
I reached for his head and patted it. "Thank you, babe!" ngumiti ako kahit may harang sa aking bibig. For the first time in my life, I called a man 'babe', and it felt so weird because my stomach leapt for no reason.
A smile of triumphant formed on his lips before he wore his helmet and climbed on the motorcycle. My heart melted when he he fixed the rear footrest so I won't feel uncomfortable. It's just a simple gesture but it really warms my heart.
Mabilis akong sumakay sa likuran niya nang makasakay na siya. He grabbed my arm and encircled it around him.
Hindi naman ako nagsalita, but deep inside, I was grinning like an idiot.
Mabagal lang ang pagda-drive niya. Since the visor was open, I could smell the mixture of his natural scent and the perfume he used. I really love how he smells!
We arrived at the mall and headed straight to my go-to salon. Bubbles immediately spotted me and approached us. Mabilis na nalipat ang paningin niya sa lalaking katabi ko.
The corner of her lips rose. "Boyfriend mo?" hindi niya man lang binulong 'yon at talagang harap-harapan lang na tinanong!
I wanted to pull her hair but stop myself from doing such recklessness. Instead, I encircled my arm on Croisx's and even rested my face on his arm. My lips formed a smirk. "What do you think, Bubbles?" I asked in a sing-song tone.
Umawang ang labi niya bago siya napatili. Nang lingonin ko naman si Croisx ay nakita kong namumula ang tenga at leeg niya. I just shook my head and pulled both of them inside the salon.
My eyebrow arched when some customers glance in his direction. May mga kinikilig habang pasimpleng tumitingin sa kaniya. Croisx leans a little to whisper in my ears. "Babe, where can I sit?"
Ngumisi ako at napatingin sa mga babae na kanina lang ay kinikilig, ngayon ay sambakol na ang mga mukha nila habang bumubulong-bulong pa. I want to laugh at their reaction, but I hold myself.
"You can sit there," I answered, and pointed the couch.
He nodded a little and marched towards the couch. Bubbles guide me down in front of the vanity mirror. Aside from my hair, I wanted a mani and pedicure, so I called someone from the salon to clean my nails.
"Acrylic or gel nails ba, madam? May prefer design po ba?" The nail technician asked me.
"I'll have the acrylic. I want almond-shaped glossy Ombré nails," sagot ko at tumango naman ang babae.
Bubbles started doing my hair while chitchatting with me. I can't help but glance at Croisx, who is eyeing the salon like a lost kid. Napanguso ako saka nagtipa sa phone. I typed a message for him asking if he was comfortable in his place. He replied yes, making me at ease.
Noong kailangan nang hugasan ang buhok ko, nagtama ang tingin namin ni Croisx. I gave him a small smile before we passed him and marched towards the washing area. Bubbles started ironing my hair while the nail technician proceeded on my toenails.
"Madam, boyfriend mo ba 'yong pogi sa likod?" The nail technician asked in a malicious tone.
Pasimple akong sumulyap sa pwesto ni Croisx. I grinned as I noticed that the newly arrived customers laid their eyes on him. His clothes are simple, but he still captures attention, especially from women.
"Gwapo no?" I asked proudly.
She nodded. "Gwapo! May kapatid ba 'yan, madam?" Parang kinikilig pang saad niya.
I shrugged. "I don't know. I haven't asked him," sagot ko.
We haven't asked each other about our family background. Hindi pa niya ako masyadong kakilala, ganoon rin ako sa kaniya. Although he already sent a CV of his information, it wasn't enough for me to completely know him. Sabi nga nila, you won't know someone until you start living with him.
After almost 3 hours, my hair looked vibrant and fascinating soft. I took a clip of myself and posted it on my Instagram with the caption 'Strawberry girl' with an emoji. I even posted a story of my nails, tagging the salon's Instagram account.
My phone is bombarded with notifications, probably likes and comments from my followers. I checked the notifications, and my brows arched when I saw Croisx's username. He liked my post and even DM me on Instagram.
Holy.croisx
Pretty
Mabilis ko siyang nilingon pero nakatuon ang mga mata niya cellphone. I bit the inside of my cheeks while typing a respond for him habang pasulyap-sulyap sa kaniya.
Khriz.Saint
Gracias, bebé! Isip kana kung saan tayo kakain.
I snickered when his eyebrows creased. He started typing on his phone, probably replying to my message.
Holy.croisx
Alright. I know a buffet restaurant here.
Khriz.Saint
Okay!
Holy.croisx
Alright.
I thought he wouldn't reply, but I was surprised when my phone lit up again. I bit my bottom lip when I read his latest message.
Holy.croisx
Can we watch a movie after eating?
I licked my lower lip before responding.
Khriz.Saint
Sure! Let's watch a movie after eating.
After I paid for their service, dumiretso na kami ni Croisx sa isang buffet restaurant dahil nagugutom na kami pareho. Sabay kaming tumayo para kumuha ng pagkain at sabay na bumalik sa table namin. Dahil gutom na talaga ako, marami akong kinuha.
I felt awkward when two strangers approached me at our table and asked for a picture with me, claiming to be my fan. I could feel that Croisx also felt the awkwardness in me.
"You're quite famous," he commented after the ladies left.
"Hindi, ah! Sumakto lang na may nakakilala sa akin," I muttered humbly.
My eyebrows creased when he pulled out his phone and handed it to me.
"What will I do with your phone?"
"P-Picture. . ." he murmured sheepishly while his cheeks were turning red.
My eyes squinted, teasing him.
"Oh. You want us to take pictures?" I asked and he nodded immediately. Matunog akong ngumisi at tumango. "Sure! Come, lean over."
He leans on the table while his right arm is resting on the table, and the other is on his lap. I grunted when the angle didn't look pleasing.
"Come over here na nga lang! Just sit beside me na lang," utos ko at nahihiya naman siyang lumapit sa katabi kong upuan. I felt him stiffen when I leaned back on his chest, ang ulo ko ay halos dumikit na sa kaniyang pisngi. Tinapat ko kaagad ang cellphone niya sa aming dalawa. "1, 2, 3, smile!" I announced.
Napasimangot ako nang makitang hindi siya nakangiti. Nagreklamo ako kaya umulit kami. Finally, after 3 takes, we had a nice photo together. Tatlo ang nakuha kong matino.
In the first picture, we were both smiling. In the second picture, I was pouting while winking, and Croisx was doing a peace sign. Sa pangatlo ay sumandal ako sa balikat niya at ngumiti habang nakatingin siya sa akin.
"Look at the third picture! You look like you're head over heels for me!" I stated, showing him our last shot.
He abruptly blushed, making me chuckle.
We continued eating while talking to each other about random things. Currently, rank 1 siya sa buong batch nila. I was already expecting that since alam ko naman na sobrang talino niya.
Nalaman ko rin na ang dream job niya noong bata siya ay maging Astronaut. Hilig kasi niya pag-aralan ang solar system noong bata siya. He's a fan of Harry Potter and Star wars too.
Busog na busog ako nang matapos kami kumain. Before we headed to the second floor to watch a movie, we strolled inside the mall. Wala kaming binibili sa bawat store na pinapasukan namin, we're just window shopping.
Noong mapagod kami ay dumiretso na kami sa second floor ng mall. Bumili siya ng dalawang ticket habang ako ang taya sa snacks namin. Dalawang large popcorn na cheese at caramel flavor ang binili ko. Bumili rin ako ng dalawang large coke at isang bottled water.
"Are you sure you want this movie? I thought you're not a fan of horror?" I asked while waiving our movie ticket.
He nodded a little. "But you like horror movies,"
My lips parted a bit. "I told you to choose the movie you like, not the movie I like!" I spatted.
He pressed his lips together and immediately looked away. Sumimangot ako at hindi na lang nagsalita. Pumasok na kami sa loob ng sinehan at mabilis na nabulag sa dilim ng paligid.
I was the one who was walking first while Croisx was behind me. I could feel his hand on the small part of my back, slightly touching me there to guide me since it was totally dark and I might trip.
"Doon tayo!" I pointed the middle part of the cinema na wala pa masyadong tao. Ayoko naman kasi sa likod at baka may marinig kaming gumagawa ng milagro.
I put our drinks in the cup holder while the popcorn was on both of our laps. Hindi pa nagsisimula ang movie at trailer pa lang ang pinapalabas kaya pwede pa kami magsalita.
"Are you comfortable?" he whispered.
I turned at him. The gleam at the big screen was reflecting on his face, revealing his handsome silhouette. Ngumisi ako saka tumango. "Yup, I am." I muttered.
"Feeling cold?" he whispered.
I shook. "Nope."
Nang matapos ang trailer ay tumahimik na kami pareho. We settled and watched the movie silently. Pasimple kong sinilip ang katabi ko at nakita kong nakatutok talaga siya sa malaking screen. He must find this movie interesting, I guess.
Nasa kalagitnaan na ng movie nang maubos ko na 'yong drinks at popcorn. Halos ako lang ang nakaubos ng popcorn dahil hindi naman siya halos gumagalaw at panay lang ang nood niya. Mas malakas pa ako sa kaniya kumain.
The corner of my lips lifted when Croisx slowly draping his arm on my shoulder. I tilted my head to the side and met his hawk-like gaze. Our faces are only inches apart, and I could smell his minty breath puffing my face.
Slowly, he bowed his head and kissed me.
He pressed his lips against my lips. He was about to withdraw, but I immediately encircled my arm on his neck, and my other hand cupped his face.
I bit his lower lip to open his lips, deepening the kiss. He stilled for a second before his lips started moving against mine. I smiled against his lips when he nibbled my bottom lip, reciprocating what I did just a while ago.
I pulled away from his lips when we both ran out of breath.
"So. . ." I trailed off. "Why did you kiss me?" I asked in a teasing tone.
Despite the blinding dark surroundings, I could still glimpse his flushing cheeks and ears. Napangisi ako dahil sa nakuhang reaksyon mula sa kaniya. He nervously licked his lips.
"I-I read in Google that it was romantic to kiss inside the cinema with your girlfriend," he whispered and immediately avoided my gaze by looking away.
"So, google is your new best friend, huh?" I teased him more.
Halos sumimangot siya habang namumula ang pisngi. Ngumisi naman ako kaya mabilis siyang nag-iwas ng tingin, nahihiya.
"L-Let's just focus on the movie," he says, shooing the topic.
"What if I don't want to?" pang-aasar ko pa lalo.
Gustong gusto ko talaga siyang inaasar dahil palaging namumula ang pisngi at tenga niya sa tuwing inaasar ko siya. I love seeing him blush.
His face crumpled. "Babe, please?" he pleaded.
"Okay. I'll be a good girl na." I caved, but deep inside, I was grinning like an idiot.
Noong natapos ang movie ay pinauna na namin ni Croisx ang iilan na lumabas dahil ayaw namin makipagsiksikan pa. Hindi na kami nagtagal sa mall dahil madilim na rin sa labas. In addition, he has a class tomorrow, so he needs to rest.
"I'm going in now. Thanks for today," I smiled and tapped him on his shoulder.
"Wait!" He held my shoulder, stopping me from walking inside my unit. Lumingon ako sa kaniya, nagtataka.
"Hmm?" I hummed.
I was caught off guard when he leaned closer and suddenly planted a kiss on my forehead. My lips parted in dazed as I felt my cheeks began to blushed. Natataranta siyang nag-iwas ng tingin, namumula rin.
"That's a good night kiss from me. G-Good night!" he muttered before he ran off inside his unit, leaving me in a daze.
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