Backfire
A/N: Deeply grateful to everyone who've made it this far. I wish someday, we live in a world that gives equal opportunities for all. May we not let the gender roles stop us from doing what we love nor being who we want to be. Let the sky be your only limit. Ily, stellars xx
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"Why are you so wet?"
Nanlalaki ang matang sinalubong ako ni Zaid pagkapasok ko sa unit niya.
"It's raining mad outside,"
Wala akong dalang payong sa kotse at dahil may open space pa sa pagitan ng parking lot at basement entrance dito sa High Towers ay naulanan ako. Kahit pa tinakbo ko na ang maliit na distansyang iyon ay medyo nabasa pa rin ako.
Lumambot ang ekspresyon niya.
"You should have texted me. Nakababa sana ko para payungan ka," he sighed and didn't give me a chance to utter any other word. "Wait here, I'll get you a towel."
Nanatili ako sa nakatayong posisyon ko at hinintay siya. Mabilis lang naman iyon at agad siyang nakabalik nang may dalang puting towel.
Nilahad ko ang kamay ko at buong akala ko ay iaabot niya lang iyon sa akin pero hindi. Siya na mismo ang nagdala ng tuwalya sa ulo ko.
Zaid was so focused in wiping my wet hair that I suddenly got drawn at this view of him.
The movements of his two hands as they ruffled my hair with the towel were very comforting. It feels so good that I almost wanted to close my eyes.
I heard him sighing. "Don't do that again. Huwag ka nang magpapabasa sa ulan.. I don't want you getting sick,"
Hinanap niya ang mga mata ko at tinitigan iyon. His eyes were filled with obvious concern and worry. The situation seems like he was sort of nagging me but I can't believe how I was still able to take note that his eyes look like a transparent glass that reflects his soul. It's beautiful.
"Okay?" malambing na tanong niya.
I found myself nodding softly like a child.
He went back to his business and continued drying my hair, down to the sides of my face. Pati ang ilang bahagi ng damit ko na may bakas ng pagkabasa ay marahang dinampian niya ng towel.
Pagkatapos ay binalik niya ang magaang tingin niya sa mata ko. "I'll get you something you can changed into," he mildly said.
Aktong tatalikod na siya nang kumapit ako sa braso niya para pigilan siya.
"Wag na, Zaid. Konting patak lang naman ang napunta sa damit ko," sabi ko dahil totoong hindi naman iyon masyadong nabasa. Lalo pa ngayon na medyo natuyo na nga.
Pumungay ang mga mata niya. "But you'll feel cold.." he breathed out. "Okay.. just cover up with my sweater, alright?" he convinced me.
Wala na naman akong nagawa kung hindi tumango. Ewan ko ba, hindi naman kami nag-iinuman pero parang lagi akong nalalasing tuwing kinakausap ako ni Zaid gamit ang malambing niyang boses.
He gave me a small smile. "I'll get it for you,"
Tumalikod na siya at naiwan na naman ako dun na parang nasa alapaap. My eyes are even blinking dreamily.
Pagbalik niya ay may dala na siyang pale peach sweater. I waited for him to hand it to me so I can wear it but then again, Zaid has his own ways of doing things.
I stiffened when he was the one who wore it to me already. Ipinasok niya iyon sa ulo ko at natagalan pa ako bago isunod ang mga braso ko dahil sa pagkabigla. He fixed the fit of the sweater on my body and even stretched the hem of it down my waist.
I feel like a baby being taken care of. Not complaining though. I love being taken care of. Especially by the love of my life.
"Better?" he asked me after he have secured my comfort.
My lips curved into a sweet smile. "Better."
Napangiti rin siya. Ginapang niya ang kamay patungo sa palad ko para hawakan ito. Marahan niya akong giniya patungo sa sala at pinaupo sa couch.
"Wait here, I'm about to finish the food you requested." he gave me another one of his peaceful smiles before he turned to his feet so he could go to the kitchen.
I requested for him to cook me a pasta dish today. Tanda ko kasing pasta ang unang luto niya na natikman ko kaya't na-miss ko iyon. He agreed and asked me if we can film ourselves while eating. Simula kasi nang manalo si Zaid ay binigyan na rin siya ng pagkakataong gumamit ng online platform para mag-share ng mga niluluto niya. He told me that he took a video of the preparation and it would be nice if he can also shoot our reactions while eating.
Tahimik na sumandal ako sa couch at inangat ang mga paa para mag-indian sit. I was appreciating the feeling of Zaid's sweater around me. It smells so nice. Smells so good. Smells like Zaid.
The peach color was also beautiful to look at. I love how Zaid is not obsessed about manly-colored stuff. He doesn't get conscious about having things that are feminine in color. He looks manly in whatever he wears any way. Anything just looks so good on him.
"Ready na,"
Umangat ang tingin ko nang dumating na si Zaid dala ang dalawang plato. Nilapag niya iyon sa center table.
Bumaba ako sa couch at sumalampak na sa carpet para matapatan ang pagkain.
"Wait, I'll set up the camera.." sabi niya.
I waited in anticipation while looking at the mouth-watering food in front of me. Kaya nang matapos siyang ayusin ang pang-video sa harap namin ay halos magsimula na agad ako.
Umupo siya sa tabi ko. "Tikman mo na,"
I nodded and obliged.
I almost fully shut my eyes closed with the delight at the first bite. The pasta was very delicious. I couldn't really expect something less from Zaid. There's one odd thing I noticed though. It was... spicy.
Zaid wasn't eating but just watching my every reaction. I couldn't give him my attention though cause I'm very much enjoying the food.
Sa kabila ng anghang ay tuloy-tuloy ang pagsubo ko dahil sobrang sarap. Nang mapansin kong hindi pa rin kumakain si Zaid ay sinilip ko siya saglit habang sumusubo pa rin ako.
"Why aren't you eating?" I asked then filled my mouth with the new scoop of food.
Ooh, this is really super spicy. I feel like I'm kinda sweating already.
Zaid didn't answer. Ni hindi ko na rin matignan ang reaksyon niya dahil masyado akong engrossed sa malinamnam na pasta.
The food... is really very spicy though. I feel like it's getting spicier every minute. Naiinitan na ang mukha ko at pakiramdam ko nga'y namumula na ako.
I stiffened when I heard a chuckle. Saglit na nabitin sa bibig ko ang tinidor. Sinilip ko lang saglit si Zaid nang may pagtataka ngunit nagpatuloy pa rin naman ako sa pagkain.
"Bakit ka tumatawa?" tanong ko habang hindi nakatingin sa kanya at abala sa pagsubo ng pasta.
Now he's not just chuckling anymore. He's really laughing already. "Ellie, stop eating."
I wasn't able to totally process what he just said. I'm getting addicted to the pasta.
"Ellie, stop." I heard him saying from the background but it was as if nothing else matters anymore. Just me and the pasta. "I've put so much spices on that, Ellie.."
Litong tinignan ko siya saglit. "Huh?"
He looks very amused. "I just wanna see your reaction while eating something extra spicy," he chukled. "Issa prank," he even added.
Kunot-noong tinignan ko lang siya. Anong prank dito eh nag-enjoy naman ako kasi sobrang sarap.
He was still chuckling when he reached for the other plate and pushed it to me.
"This is the real one, stop eating that.." natatawang saway niya.
Akmang kukuhanin niya ang kinakain ko kanina nang hilahin ko ito pabalik sa akin.
"No!" pigil ko.
Binalik ko sa pwesto ko ang pasta at pinagpatuloy lang ang pagkain.
"I love this.." I muttered while munching it.
Sa pagpapatuloy kong kumain ay naririnig ko lang ang mga saway at pagpipigil niya sakin habang natatawa pa.
"Ellie.."
I continued eating. I really didn't expect this to be spicy but it's appetizing. Sa sobrang anghang nga lang ay umiinit na ang mga labi ko.
I heard Zaid playfully chuckling again.
"Ellie, stop it.."
I ignored him and just did what I was doing. Nakaka-adik yung sarap at anghang. Parang namanhid na nga sa anghang yung dila ko eh. Yung sarap na lang ang nalalasahan.
One thing I noticed though, is that my lips feels like they're burning already.
"Ellie.." Zaid is starting to sound frustrated.
When he still didn't get my attention from his last call. He held my hand and subtly pulled the plate away from me.
He turned to me.
"Stop eating this.."
I guiltily looked at him.
"I can't.."
He seems amused.
"Why?"
My lips curved down.
"Masarap,"
His lips parted.
Then his eyes dropped down to my puckered lips.
Kanina pa parang nag-iinit ang labi ko sa anghang. Pero nang tignan niya iyon ay parang biglang lumiyab na.
I saw his adam's apple moved while his gaze was fixed on my mouth.
"God.. your lips are burning.. red," tila nahihirapang sabi niya.
Naging marahan ang pagkurap ng mata ko nang maramdaman ang kakaibang tingin niya.
"Yeah..." I agreed in almost a whisper. They really feel like it. As if they were getting flamed. Especially with his stare.
He swallowed and slowly pulled his face closer to mine.
My breathing hitched.
"Z-zaid.. we're filming.." paalala ko nang maalala iyon.
Nanatili ang mga nalalasing niyang mata sa labi ko. He nodded absentmindedly.
"I'll just.. cut the video from here," he sensually uttered.
He effortlessly reached for the camera on the table and carelessly made the lens face down without looking at it.
His adam's apple did another sexy move as his face went near mine. My eyelids automatically went down when I couldn't handle our closeness anymore.
I heard angels singing when I felt his soft lips against mine. I think I just saw the heavens from my closed eyes. Especially when his tongue licked my lips. It feels so good as it smoothly explored it.
My sinful lips automatically let out an embarrassing moan as his tongue aggressively made its way inside my mouth. Tasting every bit of it. Every side. Every corner.
I completely lost my trance with the way he hungrily suck my tongue. His expert mouth is moving so well with the coordination of both his lips and mouth. Giving me the right amount of nibble, sip and bit.
His sensual groans and grunts are making my insides shudder big time.
We pulled away for a while just o breathe.
He was catching air intensely as he stared tenderly at my eyes.
"Fuck.. ang anghang nga," paos na sabi niya.
My lips slightly lift up.
"Prank pa.." I teased. "Edi ang ending, naanghangan ka rin naman."
He grinned. Eyes are still giving my lips the same heated gaze.
"Yeah.." he huskily whispered. "Backfire,"
He doesn't seem to mind though as he started kissing me again in a deeper and more passionate manner.
Masarap yung spicy pasta pero dito pa rin talaga ko. Sa lips pa rin ni Zaid.