Hindi na ako nagdalawang isip pa pagkatapos ng tawag ni Niina, tumawag na rin ako kay Daddy para kumustahin siya. Syempre, medyo nag-aalala pa ako sa kanya but he immediately assured me that he's fine and he just misses me that's why he wanted me to call him.
"Are you really sure you're okay?" I asked him again for the nth time.
Nag-alala talaga ako dahil sa sunod sunod na tawag ni Nina. Even though Daddy looks younger than his age, medyo napansin ko pa rin na halata ngang nagkasakit si Daddy base sa matamlay niyang mukha.
"I'm getting better. They already ran some tests and I was advised that I can finally go home tomorrow.."
Tumango ako at tipid na ngumiti sa kanya. "You shouldn't overwork, Dad.."
He smiled at me and swiftly changed the topic about Caius and I. Kinamusta niya kaming dalawa at pinaalalahanan kaming dalawa na mag-ingat dahil kami lang ang magkasama sa bakasyon na 'to.
"Just don't give me any apo too soon.. you're still young.." Natatawang sabi ni Daddy.
Napasinghap tuloy ako at narinig ko ang pagtawa ni Caius sa tabi ko kaya pinisil ko ng patago ang braso niya.
Suddenly, all the fragments of what happened last night flashed back on my mind at hanggang sa matapos ang call namin ni Daddy, naglalakbay parin ang utak ko doon.
I still can't believed that we really did that. I mean... how the fuck did it happened right? Sa ilang beses na kami lang ang magkasamang dalawa, never did once I thought of doing that yet but well.. siguro nabigla at nadala lang kaming pareho.
"Should I move our schedule so you could rest?" He suddenly asked me after another phone call for the room service.
"I'm okay.." I smiled at him and kissed his cheeks before lying in bed again.
I'm okay but I'm still too tired. I feel a bit sore too but bearable naman saka ayaw ko rin na sayangin 'yung bakasyon namin para magpahinga.
Kaya pagkadating ng breakfast namin, nagprepare na kami para sa pagpunta namin sa Malibu. We won't stay there for the night because didiretso kami sa L.A bago bumalik sa NYC.
The sun is high up when we arrived at our another airbnb. The place was really good kaya parang nakapagpahinga na rin kami sa mga beach trips. There are also some activities that we tried which we really enjoyed.
It was actually a breathe of fresh air for the both of us with some spice of romance in between those nights...
Meanwhile, during our trip to Los Angeles, napagisipan namin dalawa na magpa ink. I don't know if that was Caly's influence but we got the idea from him since he met us in L.A before he got his first tattoo.
"You sure about that?" I curiously asked him pa when he showed me the design of his preferred tattoo.
It's a compass that is designed with the latitude and longitude of a certain place which he didn't disclosed. Sabi niya lang, it was Grey who designed it for him.
"And saan mo ipapaink?" I asked him again. He smirked and removed his shirt from his shoulder saka niya tinuro ang left bust niya.
"Dito." He said as he sat down on the bed as the session is about to start.
Kami naman ni Cai, we don't have an idea nor a design so we just ended up having a matching tattoos in a simple red thin line wrapped around our pinky fingers. Mine's on the left while his are on the right.
I decided to put my second tattoo on the upper part of my elbow. It was a butterfly. It looked minimal like an accessory that was painted on my skin and I definitely love it.
"What's the use of getting tattoos using a white ink?" Taas kilay na tanong ni Caly sa kapatid niya.
Napairap ako habang pinapanood ang ginagawa kay Caius. His second one is done with white ink since he's a model and his management his prohibiting him to put some loud and huge inks on his body.
"Sayang pera. Mas mahal 'yan.." Caly commented. He probably hid behind our mother tongue para hindi kami maintindihan ng artist.
Caius hissed. "Mas mahal magpalipad ng eroplano lalo na kapag trip trip lang pero nagreklamo ba ako?"
I pursed my lips to avoid myself from laughing while Caly looked like offended or something. Hindi naman bagay sa kanya ang mag-inarte, though.
"Kapal ng mukha porke't my girlfriend.." He murmurred.
I chuckled and looked at him. "You should get yourself one.. ang tanda mo na, wala ka paring balak mag girlfriend?"
"Of course I have plans. Wala lang ako sa mood." Kibit balikat niya saka lumabas sa room para iwan kami ni Cai.
Tahimik kong pinanood na gawin ang last ink niya. Ayaw niyang sabihin sa akin kung ano ang design noon kaya wala akong idea sa ginagawa. I was just amazed how it was done and how it was showing when a blue light is touching his left biceps. Hindi ko maanigan ng masyado kasi iniiwas niya sa mata ko.
Ilang beses ko pang tinry ilawan pero hindi ko talaga makita. He would just laugh at me and then I'll end up giving up kasi hindi niya talaga ipapaalam.
"Siguro pangalan ko 'yan 'no!" I hissed.
He laughed hard and shrugged. Ganoon lang palagi ang sagot niya, tapos kapag iaaccuse ko siya, hahalikan niya ako kaya hindi na ako nakakapagreklamo pa!
Remembering some of our moments while looking at my finger, this tattoo became a symbol of our connection with each other, 'yung tipong kahit anong mangyari, hindi na talaga siya mawawala sa akin dahil permanent na 'yon. I have to live with it all my life, in good and worst days..
And maybe, that's how much we love each other. Look how we put a piece of ourselves to each other.. that it will always connect the both of us.
I also realized that I will never regret giving him something important to me, either my time, a part of me, or even my whole self. I won't regret anything because it's him. Ganoon ko siya siguro kamahal.
Because the love I learned from him is the love that gives me peace. I may have gone though my fear but whenever I'm with him, I'm at peace.. like no one could ever hurt me nor make me lose myself... or that's what I thought.
When my 6th term began, I got more engaged with productions mainly in a theater. Halos a week in every month na nga lang ang classes namin dahil mas focused na kami sa theater and it actually opened some new doors for me.
The whole school year passed like a whirlwind actually. Siguro dahil busy sa productions at mahal ko ang ginagawa ko kaya hindi ko na namalayan ang oras.
I graduated and my family flew here to celebrate it with me. Umuwi rin si Caius para sa graduation ko at nagcelebrate kaming magkakasama.
After some shows, I got some projects and was able to help with some biggest production in Broadway and blessedly, 'yon din ang naging biggest project ko ever kaya hindi kaagad ako bumalik sa Pilipinas.
It was a really different production compared to those I've had in Manila. Mas doble ang tao dito, mas mahirap, mas mataas ang standards dahil siguro nasa theater academy kami and of course, hindi naman talaga lahat ng tao makakasundo mo, especially when you two are from different races.
And me being an Asian was kind of a big deal for some who are born American. But since I've already encountered things and insecurities like this way back in highschool, mas nahahandle ko na rin dahil natuto na akong mag bingi bingihan sa mga naririnig ko.
But then, not everyone could handle it like me.. especially Rebecca who is a black-American. Grabe ang discrimination. There are days that I wuld caught her crying and then Connor would get involve into some street fights while protecting her.. mahirap.. mahirap dahil hindi bukas ang isipan ng lahat na magkakaiba ang bawat tao.
We all have our unique personalities, attributes and races.. Dragging one race down to lift up one is unjustifiable because we're all humans for pete's sake! Sa huli, our physical attributes and looks won't matter. We'll all be dead and deceased with only our bones remained.
"What's actually wrong with me right? Like was I a bad fucking luck because of my skin color? What the hell. If I was am a bad luck then why was I able to achieve my dreams and worked with luck right?" Rebecca ranted in between her cries.
Nakikita ko kung papaano niya itawa ang saki na nararamdaman niya.
Because at some point.. I've been through that. I was caged like I think everything I'll do, people will hate me.. but then on the latter part, I was still able to show a facade of me where they thought that there's no room left to hurt me.
"People who doesn't know you has a lot to say about you.." I tapped her shoulder.
Connor also gave her a box of tissue and she took some of it to wipe her tears at pagkatapos noon, nakita ko na ang pag ngiti niya sa aming dalawa ni Connor.
"I'll show them that I am not someone they think I am. Fuck racists.. everyone should be equal." Aniya.
"Everyone should but they will always be selective.. so don't let their criticism affect you. You're always better than that." I reminded her.
Ganoon namin itinatawid ang bawat araw at pagkakataon na talagang may hindi kami nakakasundo. Gladly, more than half of the people we're working with are nice kaya mas madali naming mahandle ang mga bagay katulad noon.
That production really kept me busy the previous months lalo na dahil isa ako sa casts at sa Broadway gaganapin 'to. Some media scoops in different part of U.S.A are always there to document the production, at alam kong sa mismong araw ng show, may Philippine Media din na magdodocument dahil nag sponsor and mga Buenvenidez dito.
"So are you bragging to me that you sponsored my biggest show, ha?"
Caius heartily laughed during our video call. Umiling siya at nagkibit balikat.
"My family did.. Hindi lang ako.." He chuckled.
"Are they going to attend?"
He nodded. "Some of my cousins will attend too. You'll probably meet them the night before your show.."
"Ipapakilala mo ako?"
He nodded again. "Formally, yes.. why?"
Umiling ako at bahagyang ngumiti. Some jitters crept out of my system again while thinking the thought of him introducing me to his family.
It was a short call that I already got used to. Maayos naman ang relationship namin kahit halos every other month lang kami nakakapagkita dahil pareho kaming busy. He got some guestings for an introduction and promotion of his music kaya siya busy.
And gladly, news about his dating issues finally dies down. Tumahimik na rin si Sofia at sana manatili siyang ganoon.
A day before the play noong umuwi si Caius dito. We just saw each other last month noong graduation ko tapos pumunta ulit siya dito para sa show ko.
I was actually planning to go back to Manila after the show dahil malapit na rin ang graduation ni Caius.
Mamayang gabi rin ang dinner namin kasama ang pamilya niya at hindi pa kami nagkikita dahil nagpapahinga pa siya sa hotel.
"Tanya, sigurado ka ba na okay lang sayo na samahan ako? Kasi pwede namang hindi na. Ako nalang ang magdadrive.."
Hindi kasi makakasama sina Mommy sa dinner kasama ang mga Buenvenidez dahil may mga naka planned silang schedule kaya pinakiusapan nalang niya si Tanya na samahan ako. Eh kaso, alam ko namang busy din si Tanya dahil may trabaho na siya kaya kino-convince ko siya na huwag nang sumama.. saka kasi.. sa hotel muna ako ni Cai didiretso sana.
Well, uh.. if that's understandable.. I miss him, eh. I'm gonna surprise him too.
"Baka mapagalitan ako ni Ma'am, Madam.." She still insisted.
"Uh.. edi.. just drop me off at his hotel then I'll just text you if I need something..."
"Are you sure? Okay lang naman sa akin na samahan kita.."
Umling ako. "Hindi na. I know you're busy too, so..."
Tanya sighed and nodded. "Okay fine. Mag ayos ka na. Hihintayin nalang kita sa baba." Sabi niya saka umalis na sa kwarto ko.
Sinunod ko kaagad siya at nag ayos na nga ako ng sarili. I already planned to wear a simple black floral mid-length dress with a sweatheart neckline, thin strap tie and side slit and I paired it with a simple pumps so I'd look taller. Hinayaan ko rin ang buhok kong nakalugay at tumatama sa balikat ko. I didn't put a full make up on my face because I want to look simple as much as possible.
Hinatid nga ako ni Tanya hanggang sa hotel ni Caius. Kanina pa tawag ng tawag si Caius sa akin dahil nakaplano siyang sunduin ako sa bahay bago kami dumiretso sa dinner reservation ng Abuelo niya.
Me:
Hey dumbo. Anong hotel room ng kapatid mo?
Caly:
4020, sweetie.
Me:
Sweetie yikes. Thanks.
I entered the hotel lounge with full grace. Syempre, I used Caly's name so I could be assisted to the right floor where him and Caius are staying right now at nang makarating na ako sa tamang pathway, saka naman lumabas si Caly sa hotel room niya.
"Hi! Should I knock or?" I asked him.
He rolled his eyes on me and dialed Caius' number on his phone. Pareho na kaming nasa tapatng pinto ng room ni Caius. Nakahalukipkip ako at siya naman ay nakahawak sa bewang niya.
"I'm outside. Let me in." Caly said while looking at me, tiningnan niya ang suot ko at napangisi.
Kinunutan ko naman siya ng noo pero lalo lang lumawak ang pagngisi niya.
"Pakibilisan, naiinip na ako." Ani Caly saka inend ang tawag.
I blowed the insides of my cheeks and looked at the little hand bag that I was holding.
"Hintayin mo nalang. Bababa na ako." Paalam niya.
"Why?"
"I'm gonna meet a friend.." He maliciously said.
I rolled my eyes on him. Natatawa siyang kumaway sa akin bago umalis sa tabi ko at nagtungo papunta sa elevator sa dulo ng hallway. I stopped watching him and stared on the door until Caius opened it in surprise.
Shock was evident on his face while he's just wearing his casual clothes. Halatang kakatapos lang maligo at hindi inaasahan ang presensya ko.
"Hi?" I cutely waved my hand.
Malawak na ang ngiti niya saka nakangusong kumaway rin sa akin.
"What are you doing here?' He asked. "I told you I'm gonna fetch you." He added.
"I got excited kaya... surprise?" I clenched my teeth while smiling.
He then laughed again and pulled me inside the room, closed the door to hug me tight.
Niyakap ko rin siya ng mahigpit at pareho lang kaming natawa bago tiningnan ang isa't isa. He then moved closer to kiss me and I immediately kissed him back. Naramdaman ko ang pag-higpit ng hawak niya sa bewang ko habang lumalalim ang paghalik namin sa isa't isa. He urge me to walk backwards until we reached the sofa. Muntik pa nga akong mapaupo kung hindi niya lang sinalo ang likod ko.
I don't know if we just longed for each other that much but we got easily heaten up by that simple kiss. Nakaupo na kami sa sofa habang patuloy ang halikan naming dalawa. I gripped on his shirt and tried to put it up but he kept on pinning my hand on my lap.
"I need to dress up.." He said in between our kisses.
I rolled my eyes and stopped too. Nakita ko ang pagdapo ng mga mata niya sa balikat ko kaya napatingin din ako doon. And there I saw my strap tie, unribboned and freeing my blades.
I sighed heavily and looked at him again. Mapupungay ang mga mata niya at hindi na ako nagdalawang isip pang halikan ulit siya. He didn't moved away, though. He welcomed my kisses intensely while he kept on pulling me closer to him.
"We'll be late, love..." he whispered and continued kissing me from my lips down to my jawline.
I was drowned again with his kisses that I forgot how he put me in bed. Ingat na ingat niyang inun-zip ang dress ko saka 'yon nilagay sa vanity chair. We continued kissing and making out until he took me over.
It wasn't quick but I was so pressured when his phone started ringing continuously. Pareho kaming hingal na hingal nang natapos at nakita ko kung papaano niya itinapon ang condom sa basurahan bago dumiretso sa C.R para kumuha ng tissue. He cleaned me up again like what he always do.
"You want to take a bath again?" He softly asked me while brushing my hair which was slighly damp from my sweat.
Tumango ako sa kanya at inabutan niya kaagad ako ng robe at saka niya sinuot ang boxers niya. It was still standing proudly and he slightly laughed when he caught me looking at that.
Napailing nalang ako saka dumiretso sa C.R para mag shower ng mabilis. This is the reason why I didn't put too much make up a while ago. Pakiramdam ko kasi huhulas din kapag nagkita kami bago ang dinner.
Nakaayos na ang damit ko pagkalabas ng C.R. I noticed my unused undies that was in my bag. Nakaayos na din sa kama kaya nagbihis na kaagad ako habang siya naman ang nasa C.R.
His phone rang again and I saw a lot of missed calls from his cousins and some from Tita Carmela.
"We're getting late," I uttered when I got done doing my make up. Tanging press powder, matte lipstick at blush on lang ang nadala ko.
"Ikaw, e.." He chuclled a bit.
"You seduced me." I blatantly said.
His lips parted for a split second before he hoard into laughter and hugged me from behind. May naramdaman kaagad ako sa likod ko kaya mas lalo akong natawa sa kanya.
I kept on teasing him about his fucking hard on while we're on our way to a private restaurant. His annoyance and frustrations kept me away from feeling nervous kaya naramdaman ko lang 'yon nang makarating na kami.
We were still on the entrance when the Buenvenidezes caught my eyes. They were on the huge table near the glasswall kung saan overlooking ang mga sky scrapers. I immediately saw their Abuelo beside a young boy whom isn't familiar to me whle Max and Gust talking to each other, Sien and Tana are busy on their phones and si Caly naman ay kausap ng Mommy at Daddy nila.
Agad na hinuli ni Caius ang kamay ko at pinagsalikop 'yon bago kami lumapit ng tuluyan sa table. Umangat ang tingin sa amin ni Gust kaya lahat sila ay napatingin na sa amin at agad kaming binating dalawa.
It was a warm welcome from the Fontanas and Buenvenidezes. I am not really new to them since Dad was their family friend and si Tita Carmela naman ay kilala na ako dahil ilang beses niya na rin akong namemeet through video calls and when I was still in Manila.
"You're late. Ang agang dumating ni Keesh sa hotel, ah?" I heard Caly murmurred beside Caius. Napakagat kaagad ako sa labi ko.
"Saan si Kim? Bakit kayong dalawa lang?" Baling ni Caius kay Max, halatang binabalewala ang kapatid niya na medyo natatawa na ngayon.
"She's busy with school. Gustong gumala ni Jace kaya isinama ko." Si Max.
Tumango si Cai. Lumipat naman ang tingin ko mula kay Max na nasa tapat ko patungo kay Jace. He was introduced to me a while ago as Max's little brother. Hindi ko siya nakikita noon sa Pilipinas dahil nasa Europe siya nakatira, sa mga grandparents nila.
"You look familiar." Jace gazed at me.
Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Nagkibit balikat lang siya.
"You're probably seeing her in some news with Cai, that's why." Si Gust naman.
"So she's the non-showbiz girlfriend the people were all curious about?" Jace asked, pointing at me.
I heard Tita Carmela's chuckles. Nahuli ko rin ang ngiti ni Sien habang nakatingin sa akin. Ganoon din sina Max.
"Yes she is.." Caius answered.
Jace's mouth formed O. Natawa ako ng bahagya sa expression niya at agad ding naputol nang dumating na ang waiter para iserve ang dinner namin.
We began eating while they're all talking to each other. They are asking me some random things about theater and about my career. Sien even invited me to join the fashion show she'll be attending next month.
"You've got a good career ahead of you." Their Abuelo told me.
"Thank you po. I'm glad to hear that from you." I smiled.
"Are you going to continue your career when you go back to Manila or you'll stay here?" Sien asked.
"I'll probably go back.."
Though I have some opportunities here, Manila is still my home.
"And enter showbiz? I mean, Tito Anton is a known boss in the industry. He'll probably give you a good spot for you career.." Si Tana naman.
Sumulyap si Cai sa akin. Tahimik naman si Gust at mukhang naghihintay lang rin ng sagot ko.
"I don't think I could handle the industry once I go back. With all the privacy issues and publicity, hindi ko yata kaya. I could work better behind the camera." I answered casually.
Tumango si Sien at tipid na ngumiti. "I hope you'll consider entering showbiz. Not because of the fame or the name but because I despise people who act nice when in fact they weren't.."
Max chuckled, "Are you throwing some shades or something?"
"She is.." Gust chuckled too.
Natawa rin ako at mukhang nakukuha ang gustong iparating ni Sien. Nagpatuloy naman kami sa pagkain at ilang beses na naopen ang topic na 'yon.
"I met her twice and she already assumed we're close."
"Oh, baka naman friendly lang?" Si Tana.
Umiling si Sien. "That's a complete pseudo. Kahit pa friendly. She made up stories so that the public will sympathize her after Caius' statement about his relationship with Kestrielle. If that's not kakapalan ng mukha then I don't know.."
"Chill, Sien.." Caly snorted.
Sien smirked and drink on her glass bago bumaling muli sa akin.
"I want you both to tell the public but I also respect your privacy. Mahirap nga rin kapag madaming nakikialam." She said like she's been through that same scenario.
"Kaya hindi ako nag artista, e. Kawawa si Lili kapag nagkataon. For sure, may malilink sa akin." Ani Max.
"You can enter now. You already lost her." Jace shamelessly uttered.
"Oh, that was offensive for someone who's still hoping for a come back." Si Caly naman.
Max rolled his eyes. "Watch me make her mine again, tapos doon ka mag sana all."
Gust laughed. "We were all taught to wait. Take it from me. That's all you can do."
"Walang mangyayari kapag naghintay ka lang." Si Sien.
I could see Max smirking a bit while Caly cleared his throat.
"You don't wait for someone. You wait for the right time to pursue that someone." Aniya.
Napasulyap ako sa kanya. I didn't expect him to be some kind of serious. Naalala ko na may mineet nga palang siyang friend kanina. Is that it?
"You take chances. Right person doesn't always come the right time... but it stays during the worst times." Si Max.
How come they're all sharing their own sentiments suddenly?
"Whether you take chances or not, right love never fades.."
Napatingin ako saglit kay Caius. He looked at me too and put his palm on my lap.
"Sinasabi mo lang 'yan kasi sa inyong mga lalaki, ikaw lang ang masaya ngayon." Ani Tana.
Abuelo chuckled. "I'm glad to see you all grow from the boy to a man. I'm happy that some of you are happy and I'm still happy even when I know some of you had lost the chances. Nonetheless, I've taught you your principles. I know one day, your words could turn one thing into something and when that time comes, I know you'll all be well."
He was indeed living up by the name imprinted on him. I remembered some of the times that Caius is always telling me that the epitome of their principles and sentiments was their Abuelo.. and he's definitely right.
Para bang... their family could never go wrong. They clearly have everything. Hindi ko makita kung ano ba ang pagkukulang sa pamilya nila dahil napakilala sila at naturuan sila ng maayos.
Maybe the fame? The people around them? We don't know. Being a Buenvenidez is a responsibility to uphold.
"Papa's right. The time is always there. You shouldn't rush but you shouldn't always be competent. You don't know what's ahead of you. Whether it'll be good or not. It's better to see the now and work for yourselves." Si Tita Carmela.
Tahimik kaming lahat dahil sa sinabi nila nang bigla naming narinig ang mumunting tawa ni Jace. He's still young and actually the youngest among them, kaya siguro hindi nagsasalita kanina.
"Love exists for some.. but not for everyone. I could live by my principles but I won't live for any chances." He uttered.
Kumunot ang noo ko sa kanya. He looked at me and his brow shut up.
"Sinasabi mo 'yan kasi bata ka pa." Si Caly.
Naputol noon ang tingin ko kay Jace.
Jace smirked. "I may be young but I already figured out my life in span of years I was away." Aniya saka nagpatuloy sa pagkain na parang walang nangyari.
"You are indeed a Buenvenidez." Ani Max sa kapatid.
"Yes I am.. if it wasn't obvious.." Si Jace. "Excuse me.." He said and stood up.
Pinanood ko lang siyang umalis sa harap namin para magtungo sa hall way kung nasaan ang restroom.
Something about him was strange for me.. siguro dahil hindi ko pa siya kilala at mukhang may pinanggagalingan siya. And then I suddenly wonder when Max told us about Jace in Europe. While his whole family are staying in Manila... bakit siya ay nalayo, diba?
Maybe that's the reason why he sounded off while talking about their family.
After dinner, Max and Sien decided to order some wine in the bar part of the restaurant. Dumating rin kasi ang parents ni Gust para kitain sina Tita Carmela so lumipat sila ng table at kami kami nalang ang naiwan.
Caius' hands travelled on my bare back while sipping on his whiskey. Pareho kami nandito sa bar counter habang ang ibang pinsan niya ay nakaupo sa half circle na sofa.
"We can't stay late. May show ka pa bukas." He mumurred and pull away my cocktail glass which I already downed.
"I know, calm down!" I chuckled and leaned on him.
I felt his breath on my nape. Bumaba rin ang kamay niya sa bandang tiyan ko at pabalik balik sa bewang ko kaya may kung ano akong naramdaman doon.
I tried to gaze at him but he just shut his brows up.
"Nilalandi mo ba ako?" I asked playfully.
"No.." he answered huskily while caressing my waist.
Damang dama ko ang init niya sa likod ko. Maybe that's the effect of the alcohol on his body. Hinayaan ko lang ang sarili kong nakapahinga sa kanya.
These are the moments I love doing in public but I always used to consider the people around us. Gladly, private restaurant 'to at kaunti lang ang tao.
"Really.." I said when he planted a kiss on my shoulder blade.
Nakita ko ang pagangat ng tingin sa amin ng mga pinsan niya. Nakangisi na si Max ngayon sa amin.
"I want to spend the night with you but I know you need a lot of energy tomorrow.." he chuckled.
"I can stay. Uuwi nalang ako ng maaga." Humarap ako sa kanya at kinumbinsi siya gamit ang ngiti ko.
He chuckled again before shaking his head.
"Please? I missed you so much.." I told him in a soft voice saka ako humawak sa hita niya para maharap siya ng ayos.
I heard him groaned. Napataas ang kilay ko doon at nagtataka sa kinilos niya. I tilted my head again and he glared.
"Huh?"
Umiling siya at nagiwas ng tingin para uminom ng whiskey. I can see his adam's apple moving as he sipped on his shot glass. Nanatili ang tingin ko sa kanya hanggang sa irapan niya ako kaya napakunot ang noo ko.
"What the hell is your problem?" Natatawa kong tanong.
Umiling siyang muli saka nag iwas ng tingin kaya hinampas ko na ang hita niya para harapin ako.
"What?" Mapungay ang mga mata niyang tumingin sa akin before he moved and sat properly.
He looked uneasy infront of me kaya pinanood ko siya hanggang sa may nahagip ang mga mata ko.
"What the fuck was that?!" I almost shriek. Pilit kong sinubukan na hindi matawa sa nakita ko.
"Shut up.." He said in a weary tone.
"You need to free that fucking fly or else—"
"You're not helping, Kestrielle.."
I rolled my eyes. "I wasn't even doing anything? Don't tell me dahil lang sa paghawak ko sa hita mo kaya ganyan 'yan?!" Natatawa kong tanong.
Umirap siyang muli saka bahagyang kinagat ang labi at bumaling sa table ng mga pinsan niya. Maya maya pa ay tinawag na siya ng daddy niya. Napangisi ako.
"Saglit lang." Aniya sa akin.
"Take your time.." I said in a lowtone.
He groaned again and stood up. Muli akong napatingin sa gitna ng hita niya at agad niyang iniangat ang mukha ko para pisilin ng mahina ang pisngi ko.
Kahit mahina 'yon, ramdam na ramdam kong gigil na gigil siya sa akin dahil sa pagtingin ko. Aba, kasalanan ko bang halata 'yon at doon napupunta ang tingin ko?
Pinanood ko siyang lumapit sa table ng parents niya. He had to sit down as if they're talking about some important things like a boys talk with his cousins and titos while Sien and Tana went to me and we started talking about fashion and New York.
My eyes didn't leave him. Habang nagkukwentuhan kami ay pabalik balik lang rin ang tingin ko sa table kung nasaan si Caius. He would also glance at me from time to time and he will just roll his eyes to look annoyed kaya mas lalo akong natawa sa kanya.
I took my phone out to message him something. Nag angat muli ako ng tingin sa kanya bago ko isend ang message ko. Nasa akin na ang tingin niya kaya tiningnan rin niya ang phone niya.
Me:
We should do something with your hard on.
I smirked when I caught him bitting his lips while reading my text messages. Ilang saglit pa ay tumunog na ulit ang phone ko.
Caius:
What should we do then?
What the hell. Pinagdikit ko ng mariin ang mga labi ko saka nagreply.
Me:
What do you think?
Caius:
Depends on you.
I chuckled. Mabuti nalang at busy sa kwentuhan sina Sien kaya hindi nila pinapansin na busy ako sa phone ko.
Me:
You can take me for the rest of the night. I won't mind.
I sent it and watched him. Saktong kinakausap siya ng Mommy niya nang nareceive niya ang message ko. I bit hardly on my lips as I saw him read my text before nodding blankly at his mom.
Caius:
You sure?
Me:
Yeah.
Caius:
Okay. You ain't going home tonight. You'll sleep with me.
That was the last thing he texted before he stood up from his seat. Humalik siya sa pisngi ni Tita Carmela bago naglakad patungo sa akin at nakangisi na ngayon, habang ako, siguradong hindi maipinta ang itsura dahil sa nararamdaman.