Kabanata 7
Kabanata 7
"H'WAG n'yo nga akong inggitin." I pouted as glanced at the video call with my cousins on the line.
"We'll swim at Tita Thallia's pool!" bida ni Ate Clyte na tumatawa pa.
I rolled my eyes. Tita's pool just got renovated kaya ang ganda-ganda!
Sa background niya ay nakita kong busy sila Kuya Deion kasama ang iba ko pang pinsan para sa overnight nila mamaya na naka-schedule sa bahay nila Tito Iñigo.
"Hi, Architect!" Dungaw ni Sibyl sa camera.
"Ang dadaya n'yo!" I hissed and stomped my feet. They laughed at me.
Nakisilip din si Kuya Zion at kumindat.
"Hi, Miss Perfect," he muttered and waved.
"Kuya, si Zire?" I asked at maya-maya pa'y dumungaw na roon si Zire at ngumisi sa akin.
"Party-party mamaya, Scira! Sayang at wala ka!" she teased and danced jokingly.
I pouted. Nakita ko pang lumitaw si Adira at ngumiti sa akin.
"Hi, Scira," she said with a smile.
"Hello," I smiled back pagkatapos ay muli akong humarap sa vanity at inayos ang blush on ko. "Anong plano n'yo ngayon?"
"Well, we'll have a movie marathon first," Ate Clyte said.
"May bago akong napirata!" halakhak ni Ate Crest at ipinakita sa akin ang USB niya.
Natawa ako sa kanila at naiiling na kinuha ang hair brush ko.
"Kung kailan may alis ako at saka ang dami n'yong plano," reklamo ko. "Si Daru?"
"She's on her way here. Humingi ng day off kay Tito Dash kasama si Macky," Ate answered, making me pout.
I missed them so much already!
I wish I was there with them.
"Sige, Scira. Ayos muna ako," Zire grinned and waved at me.
Nakita kong nakadungaw pa rin si Kuya Zion doon sa gilid. Magulo ang kanyang buhok at parang kagigising lang.
"Kuya, magsuklay ka kaya," I commented, making him laugh then he brushed his hair with his fingers.
"Sorry, Miss Perfect. Ito na," he teased and lifted his hand.
"Zion! Niluluto mo!" Kuya Deion exclaimed and Kuya Zion cursed. He then waved at me and ran back to the kitchen.
Ate Clyte was left alone while talking to me. Nagkakagulo sila roon sa pag-aayos ng bag pack.
"Ate, where's Mom and Dad?" I asked her.
She smiled.
"They went to Mom's flower shop. Off ni Dad. Sasama rin sila mamaya kina Tita Thallia. Well, lahat sila pero uuwi rin tapos kami-kami ang overnight,"
"Nakaiinggit naman," I sighed. "May mga dumating na sa team ko kahapon. The rest will arrive today and we have to brief them first before officially starting the work."
"Wish I could help you, Scira," Ate sighed. "But you see... Architecture isn't really my line of work. As much as I want to be like you and Deion, I can't."
"Come on, Ate," I chuckled. "You're a nurse with a lot of other work too! Not to mention you're also an event organizer! You don't know how much I wish to be like you."
Her lips tugged for a smile. Her brown eyes glistened a bit and then she spoke.
"How are you there? Ang pagkain mo? Kumakain ka ba ng tama?" she asked.
"Well, the food's great. Uhm, may padalang food sa 'kin always," I said instead so she wouldn't get worried about me.
"Call me when you have problems there, okay? Mom said she'll call. Bantayan mo ang phone mo para masagot mo."
"Okay, 'te," I smiled.
"Take care, Scira. I know you're a grown-up and you can handle yourself just fine but please..." She sighed. "Don't diet too much. Make sure you eat enough food every day. Mahirap magkasakit kapag—"
"Where's your bag? Ako ang magdadala," Ate's voice faded when someone spoke.
"Mamaya na. Kausap ko—"
"Oh, si Scira?" I heard the voice say and nang maupo ito sa tabi ni Ate ay napangisi ako.
"Kuya Chiel!" I cheered.
He laughed. I saw how his blue eyes glistened.
"How are you holding up, Miss Perfect?" he teased and I rolled my eyes.
"As if perfect, Kuya," I muttered. "Ang daya n'yo. May pa-overnight tapos wala ako!"
"Biglaan lang nag-aya si Adira," he laughed then glanced at Ate Clyte who was frowning at him.
"Ayaw pa nga nitong Ate mo," Kuya pinched Ate Clyte's cheek.
"Anong ayaw, hoy!" Ate slapped his hand but Kuya laughed and tried pinching her cheek again.
"Totoo naman—"
"Hindi kaya... Kuya!" Ate Clyte hissed, making Kuya Chiel frown.
"Didn't I tell you to stop calling me—" Ate Clyte pushed his face and glanced at the phone to smile awkwardly.
"Ingat ka r'yan, Scira. Bye, love you!" Ate Clyte smiled and waved.
"Bakit ako walang ganoon—" Kuya Chiel muttered but the video call ended.
I chuckled and shook my head while looking at the call that just ended.
They're like cats and dogs. Masaya siguro sila mamaya. I just hoped I'd be there but... work first.
After I was done brushing my straight hair, I checked my blouse para sa gusot. Nang makitang ayos naman ay sumulyap ako sa kulay itim kong skirt. I took my earrings, put on red lipstick, and wore my stilettos before going out.
Mabilis kong sinara ang kwarto at lumingon pero sa gulat ay napahawak sa dibdib ko nang makita ang tao roon.
"Tintin!" I exclaimed and touched my chest. I saw him smirk.
He's leaning on the wall in front of my room. Nakapamulsa siya habang suot ang kulay gray na dress shirt at slacks.
"Mornin," he muttered. I chuckled and walked towards him.
"Good morning. Bakit ka nandito?" I asked.
He shrugged, chuckling. He then walked towards me and took my bag.
"O-oh," I muttered in shock.
"Well, uh..." he cleared his throat and put the bag on his elbow. "Bagay ba, sis?" Inilagay niya ang kamay sa baywang.
It made me laugh. Nakita ko ang pagtikwas ng kilay niya at ang biglaang pagrampa.
"I've always dreamt of having handbags and holding them like this," he said, his hips moving a bit while walking.
"Bagay," tawa ko. Mabilis akong naglakad palapit sa kanya at dinakma ang pang-upo niya.
"You got a round ass, hmm..." I teased.
He froze. Nanlalaki ang mga mata niyang nilingon ako. I saw him blush and I laughed, spanking his butt jokingly before pinching his nose.
"Gwapo mo, Mars. Anong butt work out mo?" I asked and I saw him lick his lower lip and his jaw clenched a bit.
"Well, just... some squats," he answered. I pouted.
"I do squats too, Mars, but my butt isn't that round, I mean..." Tumalikod ako mula sa kanya at tinuro ang pang-upo ko. "Hindi siya masyadong bilog."
Hindi siya umimik. I looked at him and saw him blushing. Napatitig pa siya pero dumiretso ang tingin kung saan.
"Mars?"
"Huh? Yeah, right," he chuckled nervously. "Baka... baka kulang pa, sis,"
"Ganoon?" I frowned. "Ilan ba dapat? Tingnan mo, sis." Kinuha ko ang kamay niya at pinatong sa butt ko at nakita kong mabilis siyang napalingon sa 'kin na nanlalaki ang mata.
"W-what..." he said in a whisper.
"Ay, sorry..." I laughed at him. "Ngayon ka lang nakahawak ng p'wet ng girl?"
"H-huh?" he blinked at me. "I-I just..."
"Okay lang 'yan, sis," I chuckled, "Pinapahawak ko lang p'wet ko. 'Di ba? Feel mo, nag-s-squat naman ako pero maliit pa rin—"
"I-it doesn't look small to me," he said, immediately withdrawing his hand from my butt.
"Really?" I glanced at his butt.
"Gusto ko 'yong iyo, bakat 'yong—"
"Y-you shouldn't really let me touch your butt like that—"
"Why not?" I asked, my forehead creasing. "We're sisters, right? At saka, ako sa mga pinsan, naghahampasan nga kami ng p'wet?"
His forehead creased. Nagulat ako nang makitang madilim na ang tingin niya sa 'kin.
"What the hell? Even your boy cousins?" he hissed, suddenly irritated.
"Of course not!" Napatawa ako nang malakas at pinalo siya. "Sa girls lang!"
"Then why did you let me—"
"You're a woman, remember?" I shook my head. "We're super twins, Augustine, kaya—"
"Still a no, Scira," he muttered angrily and I blinked.
"B-but..." Naglakad siya patungo sa elevator kaya nagmamadali akong naglakad pasunod.
"Sir," I called.
"Gay or not, I am still a man. You can't just let me touch your butt like that—"
"Bakit ka nagagalit?" I asked softly.
Bumukas ang elevator kaya pumasok kaming dalawa. Nangunot na ang noo.
He sighed. "I'm not mad—"
"Galit ka, eh!" I hissed and glared at him. "Masama ba 'yong ginawa ko? Gusto ko lang naman ipahawak sa 'yo para ma-check mo. I never did that to anyone. Ginawa ko 'yon kasi magkaibigan tayo. Akala ko ba close tayo—"
"Fuck, we are close, Ma'am, okay?" he explained and I frowned.
"It doesn't look like it to me, Sir," I hissed, taking my bag from him, turning grumpier now.
Damn it! Ito siguro ang ayaw na ayaw ng mga ex ko!
"Scira," he called at nilayo niya sa 'kin ang bag ko.
"Give me my bag!" I exclaimed.
"No, look..." He licked his lower lip and turned to me. "We're close, okay? We're friends! I-I just don't think it's good if you'd just grab my hand and place it on your butt just like that—"
"Why not?" I raised my brow and hissed at him. "Ibig sabihin lang n'on, ayaw mo sa 'kin—"
"I like you, Ma'am, okay?" he said and I just snorted. "I just don't think it's good for you to do that. I-I mean, I'm having self-control here and—"
"Lelang mo self-control," I hissed, not taking him seriously.
"Scira!" he called seriously. I rolled my eyes.
"Akin na ang bag ko!" I exclaimed, trying to reach it but he was persistent.
"No, listen to me," he said and tried touching my arm but I pushed it away from me.
"My bag, Augustine!"
"No, baby, look..." he said but I still tried to take my bag but he was too fast to stop me. He caught my hand then turned me around and pushed me to the wall of the elevator.
My eyes widened. Natulala ako sa kanya nakita ang seryoso niyang titig sa akin.
"L-let me go," I hissed, trying to push him away but he didn't even move an inch.
He looked down on me. Muli niyang nahuli ang kamay ko gamit ang isa niyang kamay at mas lumapit sa katawan ko.
His black, intense eyes stared at me and I stared back at him. Kung seryoso ang tingin niya ay maldita ang akin.
I raised my brow. "Let me go."
"No, you listen first to me."
"For what? Eh, ayaw mo naman ata akong kaibigan—"
"No way, Scira Rosalie. I am saying that it isn't proper to just do things like that," he explained.
"W-why not?" I asked in a small voice. He licked his lip and spoke.
"I'm a man."
"But you said you're a woman," I muttered and he closed his eyes, as if trying his best to remain calm to explain his side.
"Yes, but you're aware na nato-tomboy na ako, 'di ba?" he reminded.
"B-but..."
"Meaning, I have to control myself from drooling over my kumare, right?" he asked.
Hindi ako nakasagot. Kinagat ko ang labi ko at tumitig sa kanya.
"Y-yes but I did that kasi I'm comfortable with you and—"
"I'm doing my best to stop myself from kissing you senseless, Ma'am," he said timidly and I felt my heart racing.
Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko. Napalunok pa ako nang marahas habang nakatitig sa seryoso niyang mga mata sa akin. I didn't speak. Nakita ko ang pag-igting ng panga niya bago nagsalita.
"So, when you—"
"W-who's stopping you, anyway?" I asked and his forehead creased, his eyes turning even darker.
"Stopping from what?" he asked grimly.
I breathed.
"Kissing me senseless," I answered shakily.
The thread of his patience snapped. His eyes were dark and wanting as it pierced through mine. I saw the way he moistened his lower lip unconsciously, his gaze dropping on my mouth.
I licked my lip like an idiot.
"Scira," he called impatiently and stared back at my eyes. "Listen to me, Ma'am, okay—"
I tiptoed and kissed him on the lips to prove my point.
He froze. Kita ko ang panlalaki ng mga mata niya kaya lumayo ako at tinitigan siya.
"Tomboy na rin ako, Augustine," I said timidly and frowned at him. "I-I honestly didn'y know much about what you call this but... do you think it's only you who's questioning your gender identity right now?"
He blinked. He still looked stunned. Namumula ang kanyang mukha at nakatitig siya sa akin.
"You mean..."
"I like—" We both stopped when the elevator made a sound.
The loud girls stopped when they saw us. Sa gulat ay nahila ko ang kamay mula kay Warren at itinulak siya. Mabilis naman siyang napaatras at napatitig sa akin kaya nag-iwas ako ng tingin at tumikhim.
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck, Scira! Ikalma mo!
The loud girls entered the elevator. Kaagad kong natantong si Macey iyon kasama ang dalawa niya kaibigan. Their eyes landed on me. Kita ko ang pagsimangot ni Macey sa akin pero ngumisi nang makita ang nasa tabi ko.
"O-oh, hi, Engineer! Good morning!" she greeted Warren who just came back from his reverie.
He glanced at them. I frowned.
Subukan mong bumati, Miranda...
"Good morning, Engineer!" the two other girls greeted him.
"Mornin," he said and like how irrational and messy my thoughts were, it irritated me.
Aba't... sinagot nga!
The elevator reached the floor we're supposed to go. Mabilis kong nilingon si Warren, hinatak ang bag ko at diretsong naglakad palabas.
"Scira... wait!" he called and ran after me.
Hinila ko ang braso ko nang maabutan niya ako at mahawakan.
"Mars..."
"Bitiwan mo nga ko," I hissed.
"What did I do this time?" he feigned confusion and frustration.
I rolled my eyes, wasn't in the mood to answer him and the odds were in my favor.
"Architect!" Kaagad na sumugat ang ngiti sa labi ko nang makita ang team ko na bagong dating habang kumakaway sa 'kin.
"Scira..." Warren called. I just flipped my hair a bit, raised my brow at him, and walked towards my teammates.
Kaagad akong binati ng team ko pagkarating ko. My secretary immediately showed me her tablet for the agenda today.
Sumulyap ako sa puwesto ni Warren na mukhang pinagkaguguluhan na rin ng sariling team. I saw him glancing my way and when our eyes met, umirap ako.
"Architect, dala po namin ang plan at blueprints para sa main hallway," my secretary said until my phone beeped.
My brow raised when I saw Warren's name and I immediately opened it.
From: Kumareng Tintin
Hattitude ka, sis?
I snorted.
To: Kumareng Tintin
Lelang mo.
I looked at him and saw him reading the message. His forehead creased. I smirked when his face crumpled. Kaagad niyang nilingon ako at nang makitang nakangisi ako ay umirap siya at umiwas ng tingin.
What the hell?
Nairapan ba ako?!
Annoyed, I typed a message.
To: Kumareng Tintin
Did you just roll your eyes at me, Augustine?
From: Kumareng Tintin
🙄🙄🙄
"Aba't..." I gasped in disbelief and was about to throw a fit when my secretary called my attention.
"Let's go na, Architect," aniya kaya wala na akong nagawa at sumama.
I followed them towards the meeting hall. Naroon na ang team ko na nauna na agad akong binati. Sa kabilang banda ay paniguradong team ni Warren dahil kaagad itong bumati sa kanya nang pumasok siya.
I sat near the projector. Nakita kong nakikipag-usap na rin si Warren sa mga kasama kaya sumulyap na lang ako sa hard copy sa harapan ko at binuksan para basahin.
The door opened. Tumayo kami nang makita si Mr. Aurelio na pumasok, may malaking ngiti sa labi habang tumatango sa mga bati.
"Magandang umaga rin," he chuckled. "Pasensya na at natagalan. I just received an urgent call regarding my wife. Nasa Maynila kasi at kailangan ako."
He went in front and I smiled when our eyes met.
"I have to go there tomorrow pero tuloy pa rin naman ang renovation. H'wag kayong mag-alala. Kahit wala ako, my nephew would be here to assist you if you have questions or clarifications. He knows the plans here well, so, there'll be no problem," he smiled. "Is that... fine with you all?"
We all nodded.
"Excuse me, Miss. Can we exchange seats?" My eyes landed beside me when I heard a voice and I saw a woman from my team standing with a wide smile while nodding at Warren.
"S-sure, Engineer..." she said, almost giggling, and went on his place.
"Thank you, Miss," he said with a saccharine smile.
When his gaze went on me. My lips firmed. He sat beside me in a relaxed way, smirking when he noted my frowns.
"Oh, tamang-tama at nand'yan na siya. Tama lang ang dating mo, hijo," Mr. Aurelio said. "Anyway, this is my nephew. He can help you if you have questions regarding the project."
My eyes landed on the man walking towards the middle and it widened a bit when I saw who it was.
"Everyone, this is Lucas, my nephew," Mr. Aurelio smiled.
Fuck... he's his nephew?!
Lucas made it in front. Kaagad na nagsalubong ang mata naming dalawa at nakita kong wala man lang gulat sa mata niya nang makita ako.
My forehead creased. I saw him smirk at me and he introduced himself to us.
Natapos ang meeting na iritado ako at gulat. Warren is quiet beside me, too. Nakita ko ang seryoso niyang titig sa hard copy sa harapan niya at ang higpit ng hawak niya sa ballpen. Parang isang kalabit ay bubutasin na niya katutusok ang nasa harap.
Lucas sat in front of me. Malayo man ay kita ko ang ngisi niya roon at halatang pinagmamasdan ako.
My team knew him, of course, kaya hindi rin sila masyadong umiimik dahil ramdam marahil nila ang tensyon.
"We'll proceed now to our site visit," Mr. Aurelio smiled and stood. Nauna na siya paalis.
Kinuha ko ang handbag ko kasama ang soft copy patayo para sumunod.
"Akin na," Warren offered his hand to hold my bag for me. Seryoso pa siya roon.
"No need—" I stopped when I saw someone took it from me. Nagulat ako nang makita na sa tabi si Lucas habang hawak ang handbag ko.
"Anong ginagawa mo rito?" I asked sharply and he just smirked at me.
"Work, hon," he said coolly. "You think you can leave me like that? Of course not."
"What..." I muttered, glancing at Warren with his clenched jaw. His eyes are dark.
Akmang lalapit siya kay Lucas pero mabilis ko siyang pinigilan.
"Warren, no," I stopped him.
Annoyed, he glanced at me. I shook my head and touched his chest.
"I'm okay, Tin. Let me just talk to him, 'kay?" I said softly.
"Sino ba 'yan?" Lucas said. He's at my back. Umabante siya at sinubukang harapin si Warren. "Bodyguard mo?" he mocked.
"Lucas, p'wede ba?" I hissed and glanced at him angrily.
He smirked at naiiling na lumayo kaya muli akong sumulyap kay Warren na nakakunot ang noo. His shoulder's squared, seryoso ang itim na mga mata at mukhang galit.
"Sir, I'll be alright, hmm?" I reassured and touched his chest.
"That man can't be trusted, Scira," mariing sabi niya kaya umiling ako.
"Kauusapin ko lang. Sige na... I'll be fine. Go walk with your team," I said and he just frowned at me.
"Sir, please?" I said softly.
He hesitated at first but nodded after a while. He then glanced coldly beside me and looked at me again.
"Sa 'kin ka mamaya," paalala niya at nangingiti, tumango ako.
He moved a bit and tilted my chin to kiss my forehead before looking at the man beside me boastfully and smirking.
Palaban ang kumareng Tintin ko!
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