Kabanata 6
Kabanata 6
"W-WE shouldn't do it again," I muttered.
"Y-yeah, I agree. We shouldn't," he agreed.
Natahimik na naman kami. I still can't process how I had the guts to kiss my kumare! That is very... very wrong!
Bakit parang ang natural lang sa 'min ng halikan?! Saw one inconvenience? Kiss!
Damn it!
Awkward looks were given to us by the people passing by. Paniguradong nakita nila ang harutan naming dalawa kanina. We only stopped when we were already running out of breath. Doon din kaming dalawa natauhan.
My back is resting on the barricade near the escalator while he's in front of me and his arms are on my sides, caging me. He was slouching on me I could hear his loud breath intake.
In my whole life, I've never made out with my exes in public. We only kissed in private! In cars, bars, if alone, somewhere like that but never in my whole life will I do something like this in public! At sa kumare ko pa!
"U-uhm, sige, Warren, alis na ako," I said and I slowly pushed him away.
He took a step back. His black eyes watched me intently and I looked away.
"Kumain ka na?" he suddenly asked. Muli akong bumaling sa kanya. I noticed his still swollen lips. I can't believe I did that!
Shit, Architect Valderama? Wild kisser?
"H-huh?"
"Have you eaten yet?" he asked again and my throat dried up.
"No," I answered.
His forehead creased. Napasulyap siya sa orasan at seryoso akong tinitigan.
"It's late. You should have eaten breakfast," he retorted. Buo ang kanyang boses at ang gwapo ng pagkakasalubong ng kilay niya kaya kinilabutan ako.
"B-baka ako ang tomboy?" I muttered. He stopped.
"What?"
I cleared my throat. Hindi ko inaasahang mabibighani ako sa sister ko kaya umiling na lang ako at alanganing ngumiti.
"What I mean is... I don't eat breakfast that much. I'm on my diet," I explained, or perhaps, lied.
I'm actually hungry right now.
"You can always have your diet but make sure—"
"A-ayos lang talaga," I explained and smiled awkwardly. "I just... ano. Babalik lang ako sa room ko."
Tumalikod ako habang kunot ang kanyang noo at pinagmamasdan ako. Diretso ang lakad ko paalis pero natigilan nang tumunog ang sikmura ko.
What the fuck? Tummy? Why the heck are you making that sound?
Nilingon ko si Warren. Kunot ang noo niya, nakahalukipkip siya at nagmamasid sa akin. Mukhang narinig ito kaya ngumiti ako.
"I'm not hungry," I chuckled nervously.
My stomach made a sound again. Lumaki ang mga mata ko roon at napahawak ako sa tiyan ko at nilingon siya.
"Hindi ka nga gutom," he teased.
"Uhm, well, may mga foods sa room ko," I said and stood up straight. "But the thing is..."
I looked at him and saw his curious face. "What?"
"I can't cook," I said and laughed nonchalantly.
His lips curved. I thought he'd mock me or something but to my shock, he walked towards me, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me to the elevator.
Gulat pa rin ako pero sumama ako sa kanya. To my shock, I saw him pres the number where my floor is.
"Oh, how did you know—"
"I stay in the room beside yours," he said and my eyes widened.
"H-huh? But I thought you're staying at Casa Amara,"
"Well, I work here now so, I'll stay here," he announced.
We're quiet inside the elevator. Kita ko and diretsong titig niya sa repleksyon sa elevator.
Hays. Why does it have to be like this? Kasi kahit distorted at 'di malinaw ang itsura namin sa repleksyon, ang gwapo pa rin niya.
The elevator opened and a group of girls entered.
Nagtatawanan sila pero nang makita ang nasa loob ng elevator ay natahimik ang mga ito. The girls' gazes were immediately fixed at Warren.
I saw one girl smile and clear her throat.
"Hello, Engineer Miranda, right?" the woman said and my forehead creased when it got Warren's attention.
He nodded.
"Yes?" he asked in a full voice.
My brow lifted when the two girls giggled behind the woman. Nagkukurutan pa ang mga 'yon doon.
"Well, I'm Macey," she introduced herself and smiled. "I don't know if you remember me but I am the daughter of Poncio Gonzales."
Warren's forehead creased a bit, as if remembering who the girl was.
"GRP commercial building," the woman said. "Miranda firm made it happen, remember? You're with your cousin, Engineer Vioxx?"
Warren nodded as if remembering it.
"Oh, I see." His lips twitched for a half smile. "Sorry, I just can't remember that much,"
"Well, it's fine. I'm Macey." She then offered her hand.
"Nice meeting you, Miss Gonzales," Warren said humbly and accepted her hand.
My forehead creased. Nairita ako bigla sa nakikita.
Ako ako rito? Hangin?
Hello! May maganda kayong kasama rito!
"These are my friends," Macey smiled and presented her friends. "These are—"
"Augustine," I found myself saying that in a small voice, making Warren froze. Mabilis siyang napasulyap sa akin at ngumuso ako.
I pulled my wrist away from him. Nakita kong sinundan niya iyon ng tingin pero mabilis akong kumapit sa braso niya.
"Hungry," I said in a small voice.
He looked at me with such curiosity in his eyes. I blinked and smiled cutely.
"I'm super hungry, Tin. I wanna eat," I said.
Shit. What the fuck am I doing?! Kailan pa ako nag-inarte ng ganito?!
"Alright, we're gonna eat, hmm?" He reassured, reaching for my cheek to caress it.
"Okay," I smiled brightly, rested my head on his arms, and glanced at the girls.
I saw Macey scoff and I smiled a bit.
Oh, huh! Saan kayo at ang ganda ng hangin na 'to!
"Well, Engineer, as I was saying..." She smiled and offered her friends. "These are—"
"Aww," I whined, touching my stomach.
"What's the matter?" The attentive Warren asked immediately.
My lips protruded a bit and I touched my stomach more. "A-aray..." Pag-iinarte ko.
"Scira," he called. "What's the matter? Tell me..." he asked eagerly and touched my elbow.
"Masakit ang stomach ko," I said. Nag-iinarte lang ako pero alam kong effective dahil nasa akin na ang kanyang atensyon.
"Tss, I told you to eat, right? H'wag muna 'yang diet-diet na 'yan," he scolded me in a soft voice and I snorted while shaking my head.
"S-sorry. Okay naman dati pero..."
"I'll cook food for you, okay?" he said and I nodded. I was still pretending that my stomach was aching. Napahawak pa ako sa braso niya.
"Shit," he cursed hardly. Akala ko ay aalalayan niya ako pero sa gulat ay basta na lang niya akong binuhat.
"W-what..." My words faded when he carried me in his arms. Napakapit ako sa leeg niya sa gulat.
"Warren?" I called.
"Hold on tight. Malapit na tayo," he said and focused his attention on carrying me.
My heart thumped. Gulat na gulat pa rin ako sa ginawa niya. The girls were staring at us, wide-eyed. Macey was already frowning.
The elevator made a sound. Napansin kong nasa tamang floor na kami kaya muli akong umarte. Warren carried me at nakakapit ako sa batok niya habang papalabas kami sa elevator.
He looks serious and eager to bring me out. Habang papalabas ay napasulyap ako sa mga babaeng nakasimangot sa akin. They were eyeing me like I was some kind of an eyesore or something.
Macey raised her brow and slowly, with the triumphant look in my eyes, I smirked at them.
"Mine," I mouthed and I saw their mouths part.
Sumarado ang elevator na mukha silang talunan sa loob. I am laughing internally. Nangingisi pa ako roon nang mahuli ni Warren ang mukha ko.
"A-aww..." Inarte kong muli.
Sa gulat ko ay natawa siya. Kumunot ang noo ko at sumimangot.
"Masakit ang tiyan ko, tatawa-tawa ka r'yan?" I hissed and he licked his lower lip. Ang kaninang pagmamadali sa paglalakad ay naging malumanay na.
"Saan banda ang masakit?" he asked and I lowered one of my hands and pointed my stomach.
"Here," I said.
He chuckled again as amusement filled his eyes.
"What's funny?" I hissed. Hinampas ko ang dibdib niya kaya napailing siya at inayos ako sa bisig niya.
"Nothing," he said. Walking in a relaxed way now, a hidden smile was on his lips.
"Masakit nga ang tiyan ko!" I repeated. He looked down at me and smiled.
"I know, baby, I know," he said and my heart thumped.
"Baby ka riyan!" I hissed and smacked his chest. "Hoy, Mars! Excuse me pero—"
"You don't look sick to me," he said and my mouth parted.
"Masakit ang tiyan ko!" I tried defending my lies. "Dito, dito at dito!" I pointed the side of my stomach.
His eyes twinkled with amusement.
"Ang dami naman," he commented nonchalantly. I pouted.
"Eh, bakit ba? Masakit, eh? Bakit mas magaling ka pa sa tiyan ko?!" iritadong tanong ko.
"Sshh, calm down..." he cooed like I was a baby.
It pissed me off.
"I'm not a freaking baby, Augustine!" I exclaimed.
"Aren't you?" A playful smile formed on his lips as he glanced at me.
"Yes! I'm a full-grown woman! I am independent—"
"Yet can't cook?" he teased and I threw him a sharp glare.
"You jerk! Mars kita pero—"
"Calm down, Mars. I won't tease you more," he said. "Hush now, little girl..."
"Aba't... I said I'm not a baby!"
"You are," he said.
"You... Sige nga. Kanino naman—"
"Mine," he finished.
My stomach twisted. My throat bobbed. My heart rebelled.
Tila lalabas na ang puso ko sa lalamunan habang nakatingin sa kanya at napansin ko rin ang pamumula ng pisngi niya. He cleared his throat and licked his lower lip.
"W-what..."
"Mars, pa-open naman ng room mo," he said in a soft voice, and immediately, I came back to my reverie.
Of course, Scira. Of course! That's your sister!
"O-oh." I immediately took the key card from my bag and hugged my laptop more. Inilapit niya ako sa may lock ko kaya mabilis kong naabot at nabuksan.
When it opened, we immediately went inside. Tumikhim ako at mabilis na kinalabit siya.
"B-baba mo na ako," I said softly. He glanced at me and went to the couch to lower me slowly.
Nang mapaupo ay kinuha niya ang handbag at ang laptop na hawak ko para ilagay sa lamesa at saka siya naupo sa tabi ko.
"What do you wanna eat?" he asked. I glanced at his eyes and saw him staring softly at me.
"H-hindi naman talaga masakit ang tiyan ko," I confessed and sighed.
I thought he'd scold me but instead, he smiled.
"Well, I thought it was true at first but it's fine..." He said, smiling like he wanted it to. He brushed my hair a bit. "So, what do you like to eat?"
"You're...not mad?" I said in a small voice. He chuckled and shook his head.
"No."
"Why?" I asked and he pinched my cheek a bit.
"Why not?"
"Well..." I shrugged. "I don't want to compare but this is new. I mean, I tried being maarte like this in one or two of my exes and they said I shouldn't act childishly so, I started acting more mature."
Habang nagkukwento ako ay nakita kong kunot ang noo niya. Halatang iritado na siya kaya ngumuso ako.
"So, why aren't you mad?" I asked and he sighed and tapped my chin.
"Simply because I am not them, Scira," he said. "I would never stop you from acting as you please. It's your decision to make, not mine."
My heart swelled. Napangiti ako at kinagat ko ang labi ko.
"K-kahit cringey?"
He chuckled. "Be my cringe, then," he mumbled.
mas nag-init ang mukha ko kaya napahawak ako sa pisngi.
"Thanks, Tintin," I said in a small voice.
He tilted his head, staring at me.
"Hmm. Anything for my baby."
My heart thumped again. Lumaki ang mga mata ko at pinalo siya.
"M-maharot ka, Mars!" I groaned. His laughter roared. Hinuli niya ang kamay ko pero mas pinalo ko pa siya.
"Magkumare tayo! This is prohibited—" I gasped when he was too quick to pin my body on the sofa. He is kneeling a bit while towering over me, cornering me like I'm his property.
Lumunok ako. "M-mars..."
"Well, what can we do now?" he said darkly.
"Y-you shouldn't call me baby! That's for mag-jowa only!" I said with conviction and I saw his eyes twinkled more playfully.
"Well...what should I call you?" He raised his brow.
"W-we have to be civil and uhm, professional! K-kasi 'di ba, we're working together!"
"Hmm," he hummed. I can feel his breath touching my nose and I'm almost hyperventilating.
Are we gonna kiss again?
Manifesting–what the fuck, Scira?!
"I-isa pa, magkumare tayo and—"
"How about I call you Ma'am?" he asked and my heart hammered when his voice sounded so husky and manly.
"W-well, uh, p'wede rin. Magkumare man tayo, we're still workmates kaya that's quite good—"
"Let me prepare your food, Ma'am, hmm?" he muttered and kissed the tip of my nose.
I was frozen in shock. Nalaglag ang panga ko sa ginawa niya pero ngumisi lang siya'y walang hirap na tumayo. He turned his back at me and unbuttoned the first few buttons of his dress shirt.
"B-bastos ka, Sir, ah!" I exclaimed and stood.
He looked at me, smiling.
"Nato-tomboy kasi ako sa 'yo, Mars," he said in a soft voice, putting his hair jokingly at the back of his ear.
"Tintin!" I exclaimed loudly when he ran. "Y-you! Come back here, Sir!" I hissed at nang maabutan ay pinektusan ko na.
I couldn't say anything with his cooking. Habang kinakain ko ang masarap na rice na niluto niya ay nangingiti ako.
I don't know what is this called but the rice is color yellow, maybe because of the butter? May hotdogs, corn, carrots, and green peas din doon.
"How is it?" he asked while preparing a fresh lemon juice in front of me.
I smiled and gave him a thumbs-up.
"11/10," I commented.
It pleased him.
"Well, I can cook you more... if you like?" he asked.
It made me happy. It's not like I could cook for myself, anyway.
"Oo naman. Tutal naman ay dito ka na rin, madali na lang mangapit-bahay,"
He took a glass and transferred the juice from the pitcher. Tahimik ko siyang pinagmamasdang gawin iyon at nang magtagpo ang mga mata namin ay ngumiti siya.
"Thanks, sis." I brushed the falling strand of my face.
He didn't answer me. Instead, he walked towards me kaya nilingon ko siya.
"Why?"
"Where's your ponytail?" he asked. I lifted my hand and showed it to him. He took it and I was confused at first pero napangiti na lang ako nang pumunta siya sa likod ko.
He combed my hair with his fingers, slowly lifting it up for a ponytail.
"Wow. Ang galing mo naman magtali ng buhok, Mars," I commented.
"Well, mahilig kasi akong mag-hairstyle noong bata pa. Tinatalian ko mga barbie ko," he shared. I glanced at him and saw him smirk.
"Oh? Same, sis!" I giggled. "I've always tied Ate Clyte's hair! Pati si Kuya Deion, nagagalit nga dati kasi I always put his hair in cute hairstyles pero hinahayaan lang ako!"
He chuckled and pulled a stool to sit beside me.
"Well, I won a hairstyle competition when I'm still studying. Noong bata ako, I always play bahay-bahayan," pagbibida niya.
"Oh, me too! Wala ka sa 'kin. Sa garden namin, noong bata kami ay may tree house! Dad put it there so we won't go out of our house! Palagi ring may tea party with my dolls!" I giggled.
"'Yon lang ang laro n'yo?" he asked and I nodded. "Sus, wala ka pala sa 'kin." Nguso niya kaya ibinaba ko ang kutsara bago nilingon siya.
"Oh, eh anong laro pa? Astig sa 'kin, may tree house pa. Ikaw? Sige nga," paghahamon ko sa kanya.
I saw him smirk. He then glanced at me and raised his brow.
"Mother ako sa Chinese garter," he grinned. "Rule, dead mother, dead all," pagbibida niya.
I bursted out laughing.
I finished eating after two cups of rice. Medyo hindi ko pa tanggap na wala na talaga akong pag-asang mag-diet ngayong araw kaya nang maghugas ng plato si Warren ay pumunta ako sa terrace para magpahangin.
I touched my hair he tied and smiled. Inangat ko ang lemon juice na may straw at payong pa at nangingiting sumimsim mula roon.
If I talked to Warren regarding our kiss, would it change something?
I just met him yet, I just started to feel comfortable. We already kissed. Mukhang gustong-gusto rin naming dalawa kaya hindi ko alam.
He's gay. We're friends. Is it possible?
I sighed, staring at the view in front of us.
"Lalim ng hugot, Ma'am, hmm?"
"Tintin," I called.
"Sha-sha," he grinned. Hindi ko alam pero bigla akong natawa at inilahad ang kamao ko.
He saw it and he laughed. He immediately accepted it for a fist bump and spoke.
"Kambal ang pusod natin, tayo ang..."
"Super twins!" We exclaimed, bumping our hips together and our laughter roared.
Ang saya pa lang tumawa palagi ng ganito, ano?
He's holding a glass of lemon juice too na may kulay dilaw na payong na maliit.
"Oh, parehas tayo!" I cheered and showed it to him.
Ngumuso siya at nagulat ako nang kunin niya ang payong sa baso ko at ipinagpalit ang amin.
"Hoy!"
"Sige na, Mars. Favorite color ko pink," he said, making me giggle.
"Oh, okay," I smiled and let him change our cute mini umbrellas.
We rested quietly, staring at the view below us.
Unlike the other units in the cities, this one's more peaceful. Kaunting hotel lang ang makikita sa kalayuan sa parteng ito at pulos mga puno. I saw the tall coconut trees at marami na ring bunga. I can smell the fresh air and, in our place, we can see the vast sea.
"Ang ganda dito, ano?" I said.
Nang hindi siya lumingon ay sumulyap ako sa kanya at nakitang tahimik siyang nakatitig.
His eyes are deep. Tila kumikislap pa ng bahagya dahil sa araw na tumatama rito. His hair is quite disheveled because of the wind coming our way.
"Sir?" I called.
He tried hiding his smile and nodded. "Sobrang ganda," he said and his eyes remained on me.
My heart thumped. Napatitig ako sa kanya at nakita kong seryoso at hindi pa rin natatanggal ang tingin niya sa 'kin.
"Tin?" I suddenly called.
"Hmm?"
I cleared my throat and heaved a deep sigh. Kumukuha ako ng lakas ng loob para sa tanong ko.
"About the kiss..." I finally said and saw his eyes brightened a bit.
He licked his lower lip and glanced at me before placing his glass on the table beside him.
"I like it," he said. I was caught off guard.
"H-huh?"
"I like the kiss we shared," he muttered and glanced at me. "I don't wanna scare you because we're friends and magkumare but..." he paused and gulped.
"But...?"
"I love how your lips taste like," he finished.
Heat assaulted my cheek.
"W-well, I do like it too," I confessed.
He was surprised but a smirk left his lips after that.
"Sa pederasyon, may batas," he said and my forehead creased. "Walang talo-talo sa magkukumare."
I stopped.
Oh, he's rejecting me...
"W-well, maybe it's fine if we stayed magkumare and forget—"
"Scira,"
"—everything, I like the kiss too but if you're—"
"Scira," he called again and I stopped blabbering.
"H-hmm?" I hummed.
"You're the exemption to the rule," he said while staring at me.
Napalunok ako. I became giddy the moment he moved a bit and lowered his head. I immediately closed my eyes.
I felt his breath fanning my nose. I pouted my lips for the kiss until I felt his finger touching my lower lip softly.
"In fairness, grabe ang halikan natin pero hindi nasira. Kiss proof itong lipstick mo, Mars! Saan mo nabili? At saka anong shade? Mas bet ko 'to kaysa sa kagabi," he commented in a girly voice and I immediately opened my eyes and glared at him.
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