“A-are you crazy?! Paano kung binuksan ng mga 'yon ang pinto?!”
He didn't answer me. He just keep on wiping my center part gently. I just bit my lower lip and turned my gaze away from him. My cheeks suddenly heated up. Damn him, why is he always doing that? I mean, I find it sweet, but fuck, it's embarrassing as hell.
He took my underwear and my cycling on the floor. Binuhat niya ako paalis ng mesa at pinatayo. Umupo siya sa swivel chair at isinuot sa akin ang underwear at cycling ko. I just scoffed and bit my lower lip, what a gentleman.
He fixed my dress and my hair. Hindi pa rin ako makatingin nang ayos sa kanya. Nang matapos siya, muli niyang kinuha ang laptop at nilagay sa table. Napakunot na lang ang noo ko nang mag-type na siya ro'n na para bang walang nangyari.
What the hell? Is he still mad at me? He ate me on top of the table like a starved man and that's it? Hindi na niya ulit ako papansinin? That's fucking absurd!
“Hey, look at me,” I demanded and punched his arm lightly.
He didn't even flinch and just continued typing something on his laptop. I groaned in frustration and stomped my feet. How dare he ignore me like this?!
Ano ba ang puwede kong sabihin?
“May kasalanan ka rin sa 'kin, y-you did that horrible thing to me on top of that table while someone's knocking! What if someone entered? Masisira ang career nating pareho! And the most important thing of all, they almost saw me looking like that, legs spread wide w-while... Basta!” nakapamaywang na sabi ko at itinulak ang swivel chair niya. Kung galit siya sa akin, mas magagalit ako sa kanya.
He looked at me with cold eyes and showed me a red small button on the corner of his table. I lifted my eyebrow while looking at it. Ano naman ang meron do'n?
“This button instantly locks my door since I don't want someone entering my office. Do you think I'll let them see you like that?” he asked in a cold tone, with a hint of sarcasm. “I'll kill them if they happen to see your private parts.”
My whole body shivered with his remark. I just bit my lower lip because I felt something in my stomach I couldn't explain.
Muli niyang ibinaling ang tingin sa laptop niya. Napaismid na lang ako dahil ang cold pa rin niya. I thought bati na kami, bakit nagagalit pa rin siya?
“Hey, why are you still mad? I brought your cake and cupcakes. I'm here to apologize, and besides, hindi ko naman alam na birthday mo. You should have told me, edi sana hindi na ako nagpunta sa party ni Castor.” I grabbed his swivel chair and made him face me.
Bahagya akong napaatras nang mapakunot ang noo niya. Palagi siyang walang emosyon at madalang ko makita ang ganitong reaksyon mula sa kanya.
Gano'n ba katindi ang galit niya sa 'kin?
“For what? Mas importante naman sa 'yo ang Castor na 'yon. Just go to him, it's obvious that you're enjoying his company more than mine,” he murmured and looked at his laptop again.
My lips parted because of his childishness. Damn, why is he suddenly acting like a jealous 5-year old child right now?
Fine. He's still cute.
“Kaya nga ako nandito dahil mas gusto kitang kasama, e!” nakakunot-noong singhal ko saka napapadyak sa sahig.
Natigilan siya sa sinabi ko. Napatingin siya sa 'kin, napansin ko kaagad ang pag-iiba ng tingin niya. Nawala ang pagkaka-kunot ng noo niya saka tila umamo ang asul niyang mga mata.
“Is that true?” he asked like a cute puppy. Damn, I suddenly want to kiss this cute man until he realizes that he's the only one I want.
“Mukha ba akong nagjo-joke? I'm here nga para bumawi sa 'yo, diba?” I said and rolled my eyes at him.
He held my wrist and pulled me to sit on his lap. He hugged my waist and kissed my cheek softly, his feather kiss feels heavenly.
I cleared my throat and hugged his nape. I avoided his gaze and just looked at my hands. Matutunaw ako sa tingin niya. My heart is so weak when it comes to him, simpleng tingin niya lang para ng sumasayaw ang puso ko. What the hell is he doing to me?
“Ahm, belated happy birthday, Zak.”
Hinawakan niya ang baba ko at pinaharap ako sa kanya. I bit the insides of my cheeks as our eyes met. He has the most mesmerizing eyes, he can cause an uproar in my system just by staring at me.
“Thank you,” he mumbled and buried his face on my neck. Paborito niya talagang gawin 'yan, hindi na lang ako tumututol dahil gusto ko rin naman.
“I skipped my work today to make it up to you. Ano ba'ng gusto mong gawin natin ngayong araw?” tanong ko at marahang hinaplos ang buhok niya.
He planted soft kisses on my neck and inhaled it. I just bit my lower lip to restrain my giggles and continued caressing his soft hair.
“Let's have a date.”
Natigilan ako sa sinabi niya. Inalis niya ang mukha sa leeg ko at tumitig sa mga mata ko. He looked at me with his kinda puppy eyes. I bit my lower lip and sighed.
“You know we can't do that, Zak. I'm an actress, maraming nakasunod sa bawat galaw ko. A simple wrong move can ruin my career and those I've worked hard for,” I explained and held his sharp and clean-shaved jaw. He just held my hand and kissed it gently. My heart throbbed because of what he did. His simple gestures can make my heart go wild that even the Philippines' hottest actor can't do.
“I know, don't worry, I prepared everything. All you have to do is to go home, change your clothes and wear comfortable ones, and go to the address I'll send you,” he explained and gave me a small smile.
Fuck, why is he smiling like that? Para ng sasabog ang puso ko dahil sa simpleng ngiti niyang 'yon.
“What are you up to?” I asked, kinda suspecting.
“It was my birthday yesterday, hindi mo ba ako pagbibigyan?” tanong niya, tila nangongonsensya pa. Napairap na lang ako.
“Fine... pero bakit mukhang planado mo ang araw na 'to? Diba nagtatampo sa 'kin kanina lang?” nakataas-kilay na tanong ko.
“Kanina lang 'yon,” sabi na lang niya saka muling sumubsob sa leeg ko. Napabuntong hininga na lang ako at hinayaan siya.
What can I do? Just like what he said, birthday niya kahapon, I'll make it up to him.
I WORE comfortable clothed just like what he said. I'm wearing a simple t-shirt and jogging pants. I also wore face mask and shades to be sure, mahirap na.
Zakarius sent the address to me. He wants me to go to an amusement park. I didn't realize that I'm giggling unconsciously while driving. Is he a kid? Why does he want to go to an amusement park? But well, if that what he wants, what can I do?
Hindi ko alam kung bakit gusto ni Zakarius na mag-date kami sa amusement park kung kailan madilim na. Siguro para walang masyadong makakilala sa 'kin dahil madilim naman.
Agad akong bumaba ng kotse nang makarating ako sa amusement park. Ang daming mga lalaking nakabantay sa gate ng amusement park. To be honest, they all look like assassins. Natatakot tuloy akong pumasok sa loob.
May lumapit sa aking isang lalaki. Napataas na lang ang isang kilay ko.
“Ma'am, Sir Zakarius is waiting for you inside,” sabi ng lalaki sa matigas na ingles... he's a foreigner, huh.
Naiilang na ngumiti na lang ako sa kanya at pumasok sa loob. Napakunot na lang ang noo ko nang mapansing walang katao-tao sa loob. Bukas naman ang mga ilaw at rides pero walang tao.
Ano ba'ng mga pakulo ni si Zak?
Natigilan ako nang matanaw ko siya sa isang cotton candy stall. I just bit my lower lip and giggled when I saw him eating a pink cotton candy. Mukhang may tao naman pala dahil may tindero.
Naglakad ako papalapit sa kanya. I can't take my eyes off him, I'm so entertained watching him eat a cotton candy. I noticed that Zakarius likes anything pink aside from gray, he likes strawberry flavored sweets. What a cutie. I'm not even turned off, I find him cute. Saka ano naman kung mahilig siya sa pink? Bawal bang magustuhan ng lalaki ang pink?
Napatingin sa 'kin si Zak. Agad siyang tumakbo papalapit sa 'kin at hinawakan ang kamay ko. He pulled me to the stall and took a cotton candy from the vendor and gave it to me. I just shook my head, refusing the cotton candy.
“I don't eat cotton candy,” I said and just stared at his handsome face.
When will I get tired of that sinfully handsome face? I can stare at him forever.
“Did you rent this whole place?” I asked and roamed my eyes around. Wala talagang tao, may mga vendors lang sa paligid sa bawat stall. “Zak, paano kung makilala ako ng mga vendors na nandito?” I asked frantically and punched his arm.
“They won't expose you, trust me. By the way, eat this cotton candy. Pink cotton candy is my favorite,” sabi niya saka kumurot sa cotton candy niya at itinapat sa labi ko.
Napairap na lang ako at hinubad ang face mask ko saka isinubo 'yon. Birthday niya nga pala kahapon, pagbibigyan ko na lang siya. Kinuha niya ang face mask ko at inilagay sa bulsa niya.
He held my hand and intertwined our fingers. I just bit my lower lip to stop myself from smiling like an idiot. His calloused hand gave a familiar sense of comfort to my soul. I glanced at him and he's busy eating his cotton candy.
“I thought this shit is corny. I directed a romance movie once, after that I didn't accept any romance movies because I almost puke while directing every scenes, damn those corny shitty scenes... But doing all of these with you feels like those corny shitty scenes aren't that bad after all,” he said and swayed our hands. I just giggled and let him do what he wants.
Holding hands while walking pa-sway sway pa with him feels good. I love romance genre but doing it in real life gives me an unfamiliar feeling. It makes my heart flutter.
Kung makapagsalita naman siya parang hindi pa siya nai-in love. Ilang taon din ang naging relasyon nila ni...
I sighed and shook my head. I'll be selfish kahit ngayon lang. Saka ko na lang iisipin ang dapat kong gawin kapag bumalik na siya... Sa ngayon, gusto ko munang mahalin si Zakarius.
“Ah...” sabi ni Zakarius at tinapat sa bibig ko ang cotton candy. Natawa na lang ako at muling isinubo 'yon, baka magtampo pa siya.
“Open ba ang lahat ng rides dito, Zak?” tanong ko habang patingin-tingin sa paligid. Tumango naman si Zakarius saka tinapon ang plastic ng cotton candy sa trash bin na nadaanan namin nang maubos na niya 'to.
Natigilan ako nang hilahin ako ni Zak sa kung saan. Wala naman akong nagawa kundi ang magpatianod na lang sa kanya.
Napasinghap ako nang makita ang merry-go-round. Ako naman ang nanghila kay Zak, hinila ko siya papunta ro'n.
“Where are we going?” he asked and scratched his nape.
“Sumakay tayo riyan, Zak!” excited na sabi ko at itinuro ang merry-go-round.
Wala akong kalaro palagi noong bata ako kaya madalas ay mag-isa ako, madalang kong maranasan ang maglaro sa ganito noon dahil palagi akong mag-isa.
“Diyan mo gusto?” tanong ni Zak at itunuro ang merry-go-round. Napakagat ako sa ibabang labi ko saka tumango.
I know him, he'll say that I'm a childish bitch. 30 years old na ako pero gusto kong sumakay sa--
“Let's go!” agad na sabi ni Zak at hinila ako sa merry-go-round.
Pumasok kami sa loob, pinatigil ng nagbabantay ang merry-go-round. Agad akong sumakay sa kabayo, sumakay naman si Zakarius sa katabi ng sa akin saka ito nagsimulang umandar.
“Woah! I missed this so much!” I yelled and raised my hands. I looked at Zakarius who's sitting on a horse ride beside me.
He's just staring at me while gripping the pole. He gave me a small smile and held my hand. I just giggled and swayed our hands.
This is just a simple moment, but this is so precious to me. Hindi ko na maalala kung kailan ako huling nag-enjoy nang ganito. Kami lang ang tao rito at tahimik pero sobrang saya ko pa rin.
During the ride, it feels like our heart and soul are one. He keeps on staring at me the whole ride as if I'm the most beautiful scene he has ever seen. Para na namang nagwawala ang mga paru-paro sa tiyan ko.
Pagkatapos namin sa merry-go-round, kung saan-saan pa kami sumakay. Sobra akong nag-enjoy dahil game si Zakarius sa lahat ng rides na ma-trip-an kong sakyan kahit pambata pa. Hindi naman siya nagrereklamo at halatang nag-e-enjoy rin.
Siya ang may birthday pero pakiramdam ko ako ang sinorpresa niya.
“Wow! Look at the beautiful view, Zak!” I frantically exclaimed when we're finally at the top of the Ferris wheel.
We decided to ride in the Ferris wheel for our last ride.
“You're more beautiful.”
Natigilan ako sa sinabi niya at napatingin sa kanya na nakaupo sa tapat ko. Umupo siya riyan para daw matitigan niya ako nang maigi. Corny... but sweet.
“Alam ko na 'yan,” sabi ko na lang at muling tumingin sa labas. Nag-iinit na naman ang magkabilang pisngi ko, buti na lang at gabi na kaya hindi masyadong halata.
Nag-iinit pa rin ang pisngi ko nang makababa kami ng Ferris wheel dahil nakatitig lang siya sa akin imbis na sa view buong ride. I know I'm beautiful, but Zakarius makes me feel like I'm the most beautiful woman even though I'm really not. But damn, Zakarius always stares at me as if his world revolves around me.
“Let's take a picture there!” I excitedly exclaimed and pointed the photo booth. I pulled him there and luckily, he didn't protest.
Lalo akong na-excite nang makitang may mga props doon. Kumuha ako ng headband na may halo at isinuot 'yon.
“Look at me, I'm a real angel,” I said and chuckled.
Kumuha ako ng props na salamin na may bigote at malaking ilong saka ipinasuot 'yon kay Zak. Napahagalpak ako ng tawa sa hitsura niya at napahampas pa sa braso niya.
“You're making fun of me,” reklamo niya saka kinurot ang pisngi ko.
“Okay lang 'yan, let's take a picture!”
Kung ano-anong props ang pinasuot ko sa kanya habang picture taking namin sa photo booth. Hindi naman siya nagrereklamo at hinahayaan lang ako, kung minsan ay nakiki-pose pa siya.
When we're finally done with picture-taking session. We took two copies of our picture and kept it in our wallets. Hindi ko talaga iwa-wala ito.
“Uuwi na tayo?” tanong ni Zak habang hawak ang kamay ko.
I swayed our hands and smiled sweetly at him. Damn, I almost forgot the most important part.
“Zak, sit here.” Pinaupo ko siya sa bench. “Wait here, may bibilhin lang ako. H'wag kang tatayo riyan,” sabi ko at pinaningkitan pa siya ng mga mata.
Zakarius just nodded like an obedient kid, cutie.
Agad akong nagtungo sa stall ng cupcakes. Bumili ako ng isang chocolate cupcake pati ng maliit na kandila. Buti na lang at meron.
I lit the candle and put it on the cupcake. Lumapit ako kay Zakarius at tumikhim. Agad siyang napatingin sa 'kin. I just smiled at him and sat beside him. I cleared my throat and started singing for him.
“Happy birthday to you...”
Zakarius stared at me, he's looking at me with gentle eyes. His gentle eyes almost touched the depth of my soul, and filled the gaps in my heart.
“...happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you.” I smiled at him awkwardly after singing him a happy birthday. I'm honestly not confident with my voice. I'm a terrible singer, almost all of my fans know that.
“Happy birthday, Zak. Blow the candle and make a wish,” mahinang usal ko saka inilapit sa kanya ang cupcake.
Zakarius looked at the candle. He closed his eyes, I just stared at his face. I want to know what he wished for... Hiniling niya kaya na bumalik na si Jaze?
I just shook my head, I should stop thinking about that right now.
Hinipan na niya ang kandila nang idilat ang mga mata niya.
He gave me a small smile and held my hand. He pulled me closer to him and imprisoned me with his warm hug. I just closed my eyes and hugged him back. He caressed my hair gently and buried his face on my neck.
“Thank you for making my birthday more meaningful, my angel,” he murmured.
I smiled as my heart thumped when I heard him called me ‘my angel’. Ang sarap sa pandinig, parang hinahaplos ang puso ko.
Kunalas siya sa pagkakayakap sa 'kin at tinitigan ang mga mata ko. He gently rubbed my arm with his gentle hand. His other hand touched my cheek while staring at me intently.
He held my waist and pulled me closer to him. Napapikit na lang ako nang ilapit niya ang mukha sa 'kin hanggang sa magdampi ang mga labi namin.
His lips are like caressing mine with much affection and feelings. It was just a slow and gentle kiss but it feels like he's already giving his heart and soul to me through our kiss.
Pinagdikit niya ang mga noo namin nang bahagya na niyang ilayo ang labi sa 'kin. Nanatili akong nakapikit habang dinadama ang mainit niyang hininga.
“Ti amo, Angel. Ti amo tanto.”