Mutual
"Hex! Come here! Take a look at this..." I giggle as I seriously help the struggling beetle.
"Be careful!" he said and guided my hands.
"Masyado kang praning. Beetles don't bite." I said while putting the beetle back in the sunflower.
He hiss and check my palm. He gently blow it then entertwin his long fingers to mine. My face heated and he only smile at me sweetly.
"Let's go back. Zaccarroz might notice we're gone." he said as we walk back towards Ilustro.
"But I want to tour more!" I pouted my lips and sway our hands. He shook his head and pinch the bridge of my nose.
"You know what happens when we tour." he smile playfully.
He kiss me three nights after my debut and I responded the same the next night after he initiate the kiss. After my debut, we become official. There was no confession or courtship. It happened suddenly and we didn't question. What we realize is just we were so crazily in love with each other that we can't go on a day without being together.
But because of our age gap and me just turning eighteen last month, we keep our relationship a secret. The two of us only know our status. It was fine with me because I want things simplier and less complications for the meantime. Kuya Hex also couldn't find the right timing to tell our parents especially Kuya Zac about our relationship. And we want to savour what we have now, alone, together. We want to spend the most of it like this for now.
"Why? What happens?" I tease him and he only groan and pull me closer.
I push him and I run inside the flower field. He chase me and slowly, we stop in the middle. He lift me up a bit and I close my eyes as his lips crush unto mine. My hands shaken nervously while grabbing the back of his hair as I tried to deepen our kiss.
He stop suddenly and we both catches our breath. Although we are now official together, Hex still respects me. His biggest rule in our relationship is to not get so intimate because he respects my purity.
"Zaccary..." he slowly warn me.
I smirk at him and his eyes bore at me darkly. I giggle and tried to kiss him passionately and he only groan again to kiss me back with the same heat. I tried to deepen it again but he stop me. I was just teasing him but I can really feel how he control so much not to give in.
We hold hands and went back to Ilustro. Pinagpag niya ang nakusot niyang t-shirt. Inayos niya rin ang buhok kong nagulo niya dahil sa halikan namin kanina. Pinasakay niya ako kay Ilustro at sumunod siya sa likod ko saka hinila ang renda para makatakbo na ito.
I lean my back in his hard muscled chest. He mutter silent curses. Tinagilid ko ang ulo ko at nakita ko ang pagpikit niya. I lean more and he groan like an angry beast.
"That's why you like touring, huh?" he open his eyes and stare at me madly.
Ngumisi lang ako. "You're going back to Manila in two weeks time. I'm just savouring our moment. Magiging busy ka na naman."
"I'll call you from time to time. Uuwi ako kapag weekend." sabi niya.
I sigh. "But isn't it going to be hard and cost of time? Mahirap ang Law. Your schedule will get tighter too."
"I can manage, Zaccary. I can compromise." giit niya kaya tumango nalang ako.
Hinila niya uli ang renda at mas pinatakbo ng mabilis si Ilustro. Sinalubong kami ni Kuya Zac pagdating namin sa kwadra. Agad bumaba ang mga mata niya sa isang kamay ni Hex na nakapulupot sa baywang ko. I cleared my throat and smile at him. Kita ko ang pag taas ng kilay niya pero agad din naman siyang ngumiti.
"Saan kayo galing?" tanong niya sa'min pagkababa namin kay Ilustro.
Inabot ni Hex ang renda sa taga-bantay saka hinarap si Kuya Zac. "Sa hacienda niyo lang, namasyal."
"Ginabi kayo ah?" he ask the obvious at para akong mahihimatay sa tanong ni Kuya.
"Naaliw lang at hindi napansin ang oras, Zaccaroz." kalmadong sagot ni Hex.
Tumango naman si Kuya. "Ganoon ba... Halika na kayo at handa na ang dinner."
Tumango kami at sumunod sa kanya. Kuya Zac guided me kaya nahuli sa likod si Hex. We acted natural because we didn't want to get caught lalo na't ramdam naming nagdududa si Kuya Zac sa lagi naming pag-alis dalawa.
Mommy smile at me. I kiss her on the cheek and seated on her right side.
Kuya Zac seated on the other side and beside him is Hex. Si Daddy naman naupo sa gitna. The housemaid place the food in the table and stood in the corner after serving us.
"Balita ko, may bagong project daw ang Daddy mo, Hex. Road widening?" tanong ni Daddy.
Eversince that Tito Heu became the Mayor in Zaccarrio and up 'til now that he is the Governor, our company became the supplier for their government projects. Lagi ay sa'min sila kumukuha ng supply to provide in building projects such as construction of bridge, buildings, road widening, reconstructions of old buildings, landmarks and many more.
Tumango naman si Hex. "Yes po, Tito. Road widening po sa iilang Barangay Poblacion ng Sta. Cruz. Kaya rin po ako nandito because Dad wants to offer the project in your company. We need additional engineers too."
Dad's smile widens as he let out a hearty laugh. Tumingin si Hex sa'kin at kita ko ang pagyayabang niya. Tss. Gustong-gusto niya talagang napi-please si Daddy. He thinks that by pleasing him, Dad will like him for me, in the future, if we're going to publicize our relationship to our family.
Kinagat ko nalang ang ibabang labi ko para hindi mapangiti. Napansin kong nahuli ni Kuya Zac ang reaksyon ko kaya yumuko agad ako't nagpatuloy sa pagkain.
"Dad also want to schedule a meeting with you Tito for the planning of the project. If possible, by September siguro magsisimula ang project." dagdag ni Hex.
Tumango si Dad. "Alright. Tell Heustacio to call me when. Basta para sa Daddy mo, supportado ko siya."
Hex nodded and he continue chewing. He glance at me again and I silently glare at him, to tell him to stop it because Kuya Zac might notice it again.
After the dinner, Hex went home. The next day is another especial day because it's our first month together as a couple. I really don't know how and what to surprise him but since I like writing poems, I made one for him. A short one.
"Oh, saan ka na naman pupunta?" puna ni Kuya Zac pagkababa ko sa hagdan.
Napakapit ako ng mahigit sa crochet bag na dala ko. Tumikhim ako. "Diyan lang. Uhh... Mamamasyal sa bayan." I curse in my head. Shit. I never lie to Kuya Zac. Ngayon ko lang talaga nasusubokan. If only it's that easy, I wouldn't do this.
Tumaas ang kilay niyang napatingin sa'kin.
I'm wearing a long sleeve above the knee crochet dress paired with gladiator sandals. I half ponytail my hair in braid style and put light lipbalm. Hindi ko na kailangan mag lagay ng blush on kasi mabilis lang akong mamula kapag kinukurot o di kaya ay nasisinagan ng araw. Sinimplihan ko lang ang ayos ko dahil ayokong makahalata sina Mommy lalo na si Kuya Zac.
"You look like you're going to a beach or some kind of jungle." he burst out laughing.
Muntik na akong hindi huminga buti nalang hindi talaga siya nag hinala. Sumimangot lang ako para ipakitang nairita ako sa komento niya. He tap my head and shook his head.
"Kainis ka." umirap ako.
"Go on. Isama mo ang dalawang bodyguards mo at si Mang Berting." aniya.
"Hmmp!"
It feel like a long journey after kung makawala sa driver at dalawang bodyguards ko. Hindi ko alam kung paano nagawan 'yon ng paraan ni Hex.
"It's so nice here!"I let the cold wind breeze of the beach hug me.
Lumingon ako kay Hex at ngumiti. He closes the door of his car and he walk towards me. He snake his hand on my waist and I let my head fall on his chest. He is taller than me. I fit like a little cub under the fur of a big lion.
"I love you..." he whisper in my ear.
I giggle and took the small pink envelope in my crochet bag. Kumawala ako sa yakap niya at hinarap siya.
"It's nothing big but..." I bit my lower lip. Pakiramdam ko'y umakyat ang init papunta sa'king batok. "I hope you like it."
Umawang ang labi niyang nakatingin sa envelope. His cheeks turn to red and I couldn't be more happier because of his cute reaction.
"Happy first monthsary! I love you!" I said softly.
Tinanggap niya 'yon at tinitigan ang perma ko sa labas ng envelope. "This means a lot to me, Zaccary." he said as he give me a soft look in the eyes.
Ngumiti lang ako. He pull me closer again and he lean his lips to kiss me on my right temple. We both watch as the sun shines, meeting the edge of the sea. After a short walk on the beach, we went to a local restaurant and eat seafood style lunch.
We were just crazily talking about our throwback memories together. How we ran in their garden, how he teach me how to ride a horse in their ranch, how we play scrabble in our sala, how we watch movies in our theater room. He also share to me how he get jealous over Gabriel and how he strictly wants me to stop seeing him even if Gabriel and I are no longer acquainted.
After our lunch, we drove back to Zaccarrio. It was a two hour drive away and we had some short stops once in awhile during our trip to buy something. It was past in the afternoon when we reach our favorite spot in Zaccarrio, the hill where we can see below the land he is going to inherit from his parents and grandparents.
"Come on! Tell me... Gaano mo ako ka love?" I pouted my lips.
He lazily roll his eyes as he take a bite from the burger. I laugh when I saw how the side of his lips got a stain of catsup. Umurong ako palapit sa kanya. Naka upo kasi kami sa hood ng kotse niya.
"You're like a little kid." I said while wiping it with my thumb.
His eyes stare at me darkly as his lips form a grim line. Kinagatan ko ang burger na hawak ko saka ko siya hinalikan sa pisngi. I accidentally put a stain of catsup in his cheek. Pinunasan ko uli 'yon gamit ang hintuturo.
"Sorry!" I chuckle.
Isinantabi niya ang hawak niyang burger saka niya ako marahang hinila sa baywang. Pinerme niya ang kamay niya doon habang nakatitig lang siya sa'kin ng seryoso.
"Sobra..."
"Sobra?" medyo lito kong tanong.
"My answer to your question." he said huskily.
"Talaga? Bakit mo 'ko mahal?" tanong ko ulit.
He only stare at me silently. Bumuntong-hininga ako saka binaba ang burger. Kinuha ko ang coke in can at sumipsip sa straw. I cleared my throat and stare at him with the same soft while pouting my lips.
"Bakit nga? Kainis naman e! Ayaw sagutin. Dali dali lang e."
He pull my chin suddenly and kiss me on my lips. Sa gulat ko ay hindi agad ako nakabawi. Hinampas ko ang balikat niya pero hinila niya lang uli ako saka hinalikan sa labi.
"Because I love you. It shouldn't be questioned, Zaccary." he said.
Umirap ako. "Kaya nga... Bakit nga? Dapat may reason."
Namungay ang mga mata niya. I could feel both our heart beat. Pakiramdam ko'y sasabog nalang ako bigla dahil sa sobra sobrang emosyon. My heart is just so happy that I couldn't ask for more but for the time to run fast and stop slowly when we're both legal.
"Because there is no reason. My only intention is that I want to love you. Only that." sagot niya.
"Ito nalang." umirap uli ako. "Bakit ako? Pwede naman si Ate Gwyne o 'yong mas maganda. For sure maraming sexy do'n sa La Salle."
He pull me again to lock our lips. I bit softly his lower lip and he only groan as he drowns me with his continuous kisses. I tickle his side stomach but he capture my hand and entertwin it with his fingers. Slowly, my heart beats indifferently. It feels like too good for me to wish that the time would stop now even for a brief moment so we could savour it.
"Hin.. di... mmmm.... mo naman.. mmm.... e..." I said between his kisses.
He let go of the kiss when we were both panting. I punch his chest and he only capture my other hand, closing it to his.
"It's because it's you. If it's not you, I wouldn't love anyway." he said softly making my whole system melt in the cloud.