Not My Room
NOONG mas lumalim pa ang gabi, nagsialisan na ang mga matatanda. The kids had already gone back to their room. Si Dustin naiwan dito sa baba habang ang mag-ina niya ay dumiretso na sa kwarto.
The reception turned into a bar for an instant. The pop music was booming, and the disco lights glistened throughout the area.
Hinila ni Hunter si Zachariah papunta doon sa isang table kung na saan nakaupo 'yong mga lalaking bisita. Nandoon rin ang mga pinsan ko at ang kapatid niya na tahimik lang sa gilid. Wala yata balak uminom.
Ariella and I just danced to the beat of the music. We were swaying our hips to the music. Sobrang saya! It's like we were back in college and partying at every bar in BGC!
"Inom pa! Minsan lang 'yan, sulitin niyo na!"
The party was chaotic, but fun! Hindi ko alam kung ilan na ang naiinom ko dahil kada lagok ko ay may panibagong binibigay sa akin. Nahihilo na ako pero sayaw pa rin ako nang sayaw. Wala na ako sa wisyo dahil naghalo-halo na ang mga alak sa sikmura ko. Pakiramdam ko ay wala na akong matatandaan kinabukasan.
"Papi Zach, inom pa! Walang uuwing hindi lasing sa pamilyang 'to!" Malakas na sabi ni Hunter. "Kung hindi mo iinumin 'to, magtatampo ako!"
"The fuck, bro! Stop pouting! Mukha kang hito!" Leoniel muttered, making everyone laughed.
I felt like throwing up when Hazel slightly shook me on my shoulder because her favorite music was playing.
"Nahilo ako sa ginawa mo!" I complained before I grabbed a cold water from the cooler and drank it in one go.
Nang medyo mahimasmasan, kumuha ulit ako ng isa pang baso at ininom, pero napangiwi nang umakyat lahat sa lalamunan ko 'yong acid. I quickly spit it out on the nearest sink. It tastes awful!
I felt someone caressing my back, making me glance. My vision was blurry, but I could still glimpse Croisx's face. I tapped my mouth using the tissue before facing him.
"I think you already had enough to drink," he says, sounding worried.
I faked an offended expression. "Hindi pa ako lasing," I answered. "Tabi nga!" I dismissed him.
My mood turned sour when I remembered Croisx's worried face. My heart thumps just by thinking of him. Naiinis ako dahil hindi ko talaga maintindihan ang nararamdaman ko kapag nandyan siya. So I grabbed a bottle of Bacardi from the cooler and sneaked outside.
Umupo ako sa buhangin na may bitbit na alak. It's already midnight pero hindi pa tapos uminom ang iba sa loob, halos mga kaibigan ni Zachariah ang naroon. Inayos ko ang pwesto habang nakatanaw sa karagatan. The ocean with its mysterious depths and dark beauty, is a captivating sight.
Naramdaman kong may tumabi sa akin pero hindi ako lumingon. Nakatingin pa rin ako sa dagat, pinagmamasdan ang madilim ngunit nakakalmadong paligid.
Tanging hampas ng alon at hininga namin ang naririnig namin. The waves crashing against the shore create a soothing rhythm, whispering the mysteries of life. Habang tanging liwanag na nagmumula sa buwan sa langit ang naging ilaw namin.
"Aren't you cold?" Suddenly, he broke the silence.
Slowly, I looked at him. "Nope. Since I started living in New York, I got used to cold now," I muttered.
I stiffened when he took off his coat and placed it on my shoulders despite my answer. What a good gesture. Napansin kong hindi niya na suot ang salamin sa mata. I could see his chest from my direction because the four first buttons are opened. Medyo lumilipad din ang buhok niya dahil sa hangin.
Hindi ko maiwasan hindi titigan ang mukha niya. Kung kukumpirahin sa nakakatandang kapatid niya, masasabi mong may pagkakatulad at pagkakaiba sila. Aside from their eye color, they have their own unique assets— Croisx has a dimple. Zachariah has a freckles. Parehong gwapo, pero para sa akin, mas gusto ko ang mukha ni Croisx.
Especially his eyes. . .
The way he looks at me makes me feel more safe and loved than anything else. It's so weird because I don't know him that much, yet his gaze feels familiar. I can physically feel his adoration just by looking at me.
I sigh out of nowhere. His expression instantly became concerned as he looked at me.
"Why don't we play a game?" I suggested.
His expression lighten. "Hmm? What game?"
Mabilis akong nag-isip ng pwedeng gawin. I looked at him, and smiled wickedly. "3 truths, and 1 lie! State 3 truths and one lie about yourself. Those who guess wrong need to take a shot! Are you game?"
His lips rose, and amusement crossed his eyes. "Game," he agreed.
"Great! You go first!"
"Alright." He shifted in his seat to face me properly. "First, I'm a licensed Engineer. Second, I top the bar exam two years ago. Third, I'm now studying at Harvard Law School." There was a pause for a moment. "Lastly, I already moved on with my ex-girlfriend."
His voice at the end was almost a whisper, making my brows form a crease.
"The lie is you're studying in Harvard Law School. . ." I answered with confidence. "You're already a License engineer. I doubt mag-aaral ka pa ulit," I answered proudly.
A shadow of a smile passed over his face, but it was quickly gone. Mabilis niyang binuksan ang bote ng alak at nagsalin sa takip bago inabot sa akin.
"I-I was wrong?!" I blurted out.
He nodded. "Yes, you're wrong," he retorts.
I groaned before I took the cup and drank the liquor. "So ano 'yong lie?" I asked in curiosity.
He leaned closer to me, making my eyes widen. Napalunok ako dahil titig na titig siya mga mata ko. I wanted to scoot over, but he already seized my waist and pulled me closer.
My heart pounded against my chest. His eyes captured mine, and my heartbeat doubled.
"The I already moved on with my ex. Because I am not. . . I'm still in love with her. I won't love again if it's not her."
His voice sounded like he was lost. . . like he was in great pain. He sounded so weak. . .
My heart clenched. I don't know why I felt a little pain upon hearing his answer.
He looked at me and smiled, but it didn't pass his eyes. "It's your turn."
A smile can hide so many things. . . Like sadness and darkness of being lonely. I suddenly want to hug him, but I know I shouldn't. I know my boundaries.
I sighed and forced a smile. "Okay! It's my turn!" I made my voice jolly. "First, I study Tourism Management at UST. Second, My cup size is 35D. Third, I used to wear a clear aligner. Lastly, my dream car is a pink Porsche!"
He bit his bottom lip and looked downwards, thinking deeply about his answer. "Your cup size isn't 35D. It's 34B, am I right?"
I gasped as my cheeks seared in embarrassment. "H-How did you know?!"
"Just because. . ." The side of of his lips went up, forming a smirk.
I hit him lightly on the arm. "You probably looking at my boobs whenever I'm in the runway!" I accused.
I was surprised when he suddenly burst out laughing. I glared at him, but the cocky smile on his face didn't fade.
"Next na nga! Ikaw na ulit, go!" nakasimangot na saad ko.
Nagpatuloy kami sa paglalaro. As time passed, the Bacardi's bottle was only about half full. Medyo bumibigat na ang ulo ko dahil sa alak pero hindi pa naman ako bumibigay. Noong mapatingin ako sa kanya ay nahuli ko siyang nakatingin sa akin. Namumungay ang mga mata niya habang nakatingin sa akin.
His cheeks are already a bit red because of the liquor, and his hair was disheveled because of the violent wind. His lips were moist and red, and it seemed like inviting me to ravish it.
"I-I want to lay down," his words turn slurred.
He lay his back on the sand. Ginamit niyang unan ang isa niyang braso. I don't know what had gotten into me, but I copied him, but instead of using my arms, I rested my head on his stomach. I felt him stiffen.
"Pahiga, ah?"
It took him a while before I heard him answer. "Okay," I smiled and rested my head on his stomach comfortably. Silence overtook the loud atmosphere we had. Our heavy breaths and the harsh waves filled the silence.
I broke the silence by asking. "How many years until you become a licensed lawyer?"
I felt the vibration of his chest when he breathed. "2 more years."
I shut my eyes, feeling this cold wind in my face. "Oh. I'm sure you'll top the bar," I muttered. My eyes tightened when the words came out of my mouth feels like deja vu.
I felt his fingertips on my hair, softly stroking my hair. I remained silent and savouring every touch of his fingers on my hair. Because of the silence, I could hear his heartbeat pounding. His heartbeat sounds like a lullaby to me.
"I'm so proud of you, Khrizanta. . . I'm so proud of you for achieving your ultimate dream," I heard him whisper, and the corner of my eyes immediately moistened.
Kinabukasan, nagising ako na parang pinipiga ang ulo ko sa sobrang bigat at sakit nito. Napasapo ako sa ulo at dumaing habang nakapikit. Inamoy ko ang aking sarili at nagtaka nang hindi maamoy ang alak sa sarili. Instead, I smell like a man!
Quickly, I opened my eyes and checked myself. Napasinghap ako dahil iba na ang suot kong damit! I'm now wearing a slate blue round-neck oversized shirt. I panicked. Halos patalon akong umalis sa kama at dumiretso sa harapan ng full-size mirror na nasa gilid. The shirt was reaching up to my knees, looking like a dress to me. I pulled the shirt up, revealing my undergarments. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag. But then my eyes flew to my face, I don't have my make up anymore!
As if on cue, the bathroom's door opens. My eyes widened when it revealed Croisx. He was only wearing a white bathrobe, water dripping on his brunette short hair. His pleasant scent quickly invades my nose. He smells like aftershave cream, musky, and sandalwood. I immediately face him with a bit of panic.
"What are you doing here in my room?!" I snapped as my point finger pointed at him.
"That's what I should be asking you. Why are you in my room?" Tumaas ang isang kilay niya sa akin.
My eyes almost bulge out of my skull. This isn't my room, but his?! Napahiya ako doon! I swallowed, trying to relax my nerves.
"Did we. . . Did we sleep together?"
"Yes," he answered right away.
I gasped. "What?! We had sex?!" I blurted out. Pero wala naman akong napapansin o nararamdaman na pagbabago sa katawan ko. Did we really had sex?! He's a lucky fan indeed!
He nodded, and looked down, and went completely silent for a minute before he burst out of laughter.
I threw a pillow at him when I realized he was just pranking me. "Hey, stop laughing!" I grumbled, grimacing at him.
I gasped when he suddenly removed his robe in front of me, making me turn my back on him. I heard him laughing behind me. A few seconds later, he reached for my elbow and tugged me so I could face him.
I swallowed when my eyes darted on his body. His body looked so hard and brawny. With his six-pack abs, a v-line shaped in his abdomen and his firm muscles, I am willing to kneel down and be a good girl for him.
My stomach swooped when our gaze locked with each other. His stare was so intense.
"We didn't have sex, alright? We called it a day when we finished the rum last night. As we go back to the hotel, you were so drunk that you suddenly lost consciousness in the elevator. I don't know which room is yours, so I brought you to mine instead," he explains.
I lost consciousness in the elevator?!
My eyes narrowed as my cheeks burned in embarrassment and disbelief. "I-I. . . I'm sorry!" I bit my bottom lip. To save my dignity, I decided to leave this room immediately. "I'm going back to my room. Thanks for removing my make up and for this shirt." I kept my tone as casual as possible.
"Wait—" he halted me when I was almost in the door.
"Bakit?"
"D-Do you have a boyfriend?"
I parted my lips out of shock. Why would he ask that? He was crossing the boundary as a fan! He shouldn't be asking me about my personal life. But then, I found myself answering him.
Bullshit, Khrizanta.
"Wala," I raised a brow. "Do you have a girlfriend?" I asked back without realizing it.
My brows knotted when I spied a ghost of a smirk on his lips. He looked like he felt at ease after hearing my answer. Weird. . .
He licked his lower lip a bit before he shook his head. "I'm single."
I bit my lower lip and looked away. Why do I feel at ease upon hearing his answer?! "Okay. I'll go now."
Pagdating sa kwarto, naligo kaagad ako at nag-ayos para naman mukha akong presentable. I wore a python-printed bikini top that I matched with palazzo pants that looked like a sarong. My footwear is a strappy flat gladiator. I braid my hair before going to the hotel restaurant for the breakfast buffet.
Nakita kong naroon na ang mga pinsan ko, ang mag-asawang Ariella at Zachariah. Halos kompleto na sila. Dumiretso kaagad ako sa may buffet para kumuha na ng pagkain dahil gutom na ako.
I sat beside Hazel and immediately got comments about the food on my plate. I fitted a lot of food on the plates, consisting of the usual breakfast I ate when I was still in the Philippines.
"Seryosong tanong, anong workout routine mo, Khriz? Malakas ka kumain pero hindi ka nataba!" Kate asked. She's one of Ariella's college friend.
"Totoo! Dream body ko talaga 'yang katawan mo," someone's butted in.
I smiled sheepishly. "I have a fast metabolism," I paused, grazing the fork in my plate. "Actually, I gained weight but lost it quickly because I workout regularly. I don't cut calories and eat everything."
"Pero grabe pa rin sa ganda ang katawan mo," puri nila.
Pinagpatuloy ko ang pagkain habang pinag-uusapan namin ang kaganapan kagabi. Mabilis akong napilingon sa tabi ko nang may umupo doon at ang pamilyar na amoy ay mabilis na nanuot sa ilong ko.
My stomach swooped when he captured my gaze.
"I think you forgot to make your coffee," he says with a smile curved on his lips. Then he slid a cup of smoking coffee in front of me.
"For me? This?" gulat na tanong ko.
He nodded.
"Yes, taste it. It's your favorite," My favorite?!
With doubt, I sipped on the coffee. The moment the warm liquid filled my tongue, my eyes sparkled. "This. . . This is my favorite! How did you know?"
A smile slowly spread across his face.
He shrugged. "I just know," he whispered.
I almost never left his face with my eyes. Croisx gives off the feeling of familiarity. I feel like I've known him for a long time, even not. He's like a puzzle I need to solve for me to know what's our real connection. . .
Today is my flight to Palawan. It's a shoot for the liquor brand I was endorsing in the States. Denver informed me I was lucky because they wanted to shoot it in the Philippines. The brand is releasing a new flavor of the liquor, coconut flavor.
My team already arrived in Palawan last night. Mas nauna pa sila sa akin doon. Hindi kasama si Denver dahil nasa hospital ang anak niya. Her daughter just had a bone marrow transplant. Alam ko naman na ayaw niya rin iwanan ang anak niya kaya hindi ko na siya pinilit na sumama.
I'm only wearing an apricot-colored midi dress that I partnered with white sneakers and a crop top blazer. I was wearing a cap, face mask, shades so I wouldn't draw attention. I embark on the plane and settle down in my assigned seat.
I removed the cap I was wearing, but I let the mask and the shades remain on me. I manoeuvred the seat screen to see the flight information.
"Miss, you're stepping on my jacket."
I was startled when the passenger beside me spoke. I shifted my weight on my seat so I won't bother him anymore.
"I'm sorry," I muttered and looked at him. My eyes widened when I realized who it was. "Croisx?!" Surprised filled my voice.
"Hi, Khrizanta," he greeted me with a goofy smile on his face.
What the fuck is he doing here?!
"What are you doing here?" I asked him.
His eyes almost never left mine. He raised a folder. "Work," he simply answered.
Work?! In Palawan? In all places?! Talagang pareho kami ng pupuntahan!
I sigh. "Likewise," I answered flatly.
"I know," he mouthed something.
My eyes furrowed. "What?"
He just shook his head, still with a ghost smile on his face. Then he put on the white headphones on his head. Sumandal siya at pumikit, removing his attention to me. Napaawang ang bibig ko. Wow, lakas makasnob!
After a few hours of travel from the plane to the boat, I finally reached my destination. I can hear the strong waves of the sea from where I am. Mabilis na humampas sa balat ko ang malamig at malakas na hangin nang makalapit sa bukana ng hotel.
"Khrizanta is here!" I saw Bella and Rowan waving their hands at me. Medyo agaw pansin ang blonde na buhok ni Bella at ang tattoo ni Rowan sa kanyang binti.
Mabilis nila akong sinalubong at hinatid sa room na binigay sa'kin. Nang nasa elevator na kami, akmang magsasara na ang pinto nang may pumigil doon. I lifted my head, and my eyes fluttered wide when my gaze met a familiar midnight gray eyes.
"What are you doing here? Sinusundan mo ba ako?!" I blurted out. Napatigin sa akin sina Bella at Rowan, nagtataka sa inasal ko.
He looked at Bella and Rowan before looking at me again. He has this unreadable face as he let out a harsh exhale through his nose.
"Ano bang ginagawa mo dito? Siguro narinig mong may photoshoot ako dito, no? Who's your source?" I accused him.
His brows furrowed, and his jaw tightly clenched. Napigtas ko na yata ang pasensya niya dahil halata sa kanya ang pagkayamot. . . at sakit? What? Bakit naman siya masasaktan? I'm just asking him!
"So ano nga—" I was cut off by him when he held my eyes hostage, and he spoke.
"I own this hotel, Khrizanta," he answered, causing me to gasp.
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