Dancing With Fire (Published Under Flutter Fic)
Kabanata 26
Kabanata 26
I WATCHED THE waves as they washed upon the shore, carrying grains of white sand with them before retreating back again. Inangat ko ang tingin. Ang langit ay nag-aagaw ng kahel at dilaw sa kalangitan, tanda ng papalubog na araw, sa malayo ay tila apoy na nagsasayaw.
Napabaling ako kay Vioxx at nakagat ang labi. Sumulyap ako sa kamay niya at nakita ang sarili na unti-unting inaabot ang kamay niya kaya napalingon siya sa akin.
"Linisin natin ulit mamaya," I said, referring to his hand.
Nagtagal ang tingin niya sa kamay niyang hawak ko bago unti-unting tumango. He didn't pull away, hinayaan akong hawakan iyon.
"L-Lulubog na ang araw... do you think they're looking for us?" I asked.
"No," he said, his gaze lingering a little bit longer on our hands before he turned his gaze back to the setting sun. "There were a lot of engineers there. Warren was there, too."
"Warren," I murmured. Bigla siyang lumingon sa akin.
His forehead creased. Ang kaninang relax na mukha ay muling naging iritado, nagsalubong pa ang kilay.
"What?" I asked, noticing his expression.
"Bakit? Crush mo?" he spat.
I burst out laughing. Mas sumimangot siya. His lips firmed, halatang kaunting tulak na lang ay magagalit na naman, kaya pinisil ko ang ilong niya at bahagya siyang itinulak.
I shook my head. "I was just about to ask. Bellboy si Warren, 'di ba? How is he here? He was wearing a white hard hat earlier! Don't tell me he's a nobody."
"Wala 'yon." Ngiwi niya. "Wala nang hard hat kaya 'yon ang sinuot."
"Weh?" I narrowed my eyes. "Madami pa kaya, I've seen it!"
"Why are you interested anyway? Crush mo 'yon? Hindi naman ka-gwapuhan," reklamo niya sabay iwas ng tingin.
I chuckled, shaking my head.
"Ano nga, Engineer?" I asked.
"What did you call me?" seryoso niyang tanong.
"Engineer?"
His lips protruded as he moistened them before brushing his hair frustratedly.
"Makatawag ng daddy tapos hindi paninindigan," may sama ng loob pa niyang reklamo.
I smiled wickedly. He glared. I shook my head and leaned against him.
"So... who is Warren, daddy?" I teased.
I felt his body stiffen.
"Kasi sabi no'ng nakaraan bellboy tapos—"
"Say it again," he demanded, turning to me, his eyes filled with renewed motivation.
"Si Warren kamo, bellboy—"
"No. Call me that again," he demanded eagerly.
"Uhm, Engineer?"
"Serafine..." he warned but it only made me more excited.
"Hmm... daddy?" I said sultrily. He closed his eyes, his jaw clenched.
Mas natawa ako sa pamumula niya.
"You're blushing again, daddy!" I giggled. "Kagaya kanina, pero natulala ka lang. So, as I was saying... who's Warren?"
He looked at me with resignation. "And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you kill the atmosphere," he muttered sarcastically.
"I was just asking about Warren! I'm not killing the vibe! Ikaw kamo ang overthinker!"
"He's my cousin," aniya.
My eyes widened.
"Oh? Weh? Eh, bakit... hindi ba bellboy?"
He cleared his throat but didn't answer.
"Bakit sabi bellboy?" I pressed. "He even brought flowers!"
"Flowers?" He eyed me, alarm written all over his expression. I think he's on the verge of getting piss off until something I didn't know dawned on him, realizing something. His expression relaxed.
"What?" I asked.
"What flowers? I don't know," maang niyang sagot. "He's a bellboy just for a sideline, para may pang-date sa crush niya."
Pinag-aralan ko ang ekspresyon niya, siguradong hindi iyon totoo.
"Oh, feeling ko hindi galing sa management," I said. "I should ask him."
"It's from the management," he insisted.
"Oh? I don't think so." Kunwari kong sagot. "I think it's from Jeremy."
"Who the fuck—" He snapped.
"Manliligaw ko—"
"It's from the fucking management, Serafine!" He grunted. Pinigilan ko ang pag-usbong ng ngiti.
"Oh, I don't think so. Hindi ka rin sure—"
"It's from me!" he hissed. Mas lumaki ang ngiti ko na napansin niya. He sighed. "Damn it, I'm fucking giving myself away!"
I chuckled. "Huli ka! Di-deny ka pa, ah? Why did you give it, anyway? What for?"
"I gave it because you're coming back, okay? Inutusan ko si Warren para doon," amin niya.
"Actually... Jeremy doesn't exist," I said with a smirk.
His face fell, his mouth parted as he glared at me. Natatawa at mabilis akong tumayo hawak ang medicine kit.
"Huli ka, daddy!" asar ko pero umalingawngaw ang tili bago tumakbo nang tumayo siya at sinubukan akong abutin.
"Come back here, you woman!" he exclaimed.
I was squealing, nililingon ko pa siya kaya 'di ko napansing may kasalubong pala ako't natamaan ko pa. Agad akong humingi ng pasensya at nakitang si Engineer Cabral pala iyon.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"Y-Yes, thanks. Sorry!" I replied, embarrassed by what happened. I stepped back from him and turned to Vioxx, who was already beside me, his hand immediately crawled on my waist.
"Engineer Miranda," Engineer Cabral greeted. "Ayos ka na?" he asked, glancing at Vioxx's hand.
Before Vioxx could answer, a female engineer from his team appeared. It was the girl with red lipstick. Nakita kong natigilan siya nang makita nasaan ang palad ni Vioxx pero nag-iwas at ngumiti sa huli.
"Engineer!" she exclaimed, reaching for Vioxx's hand to examine it.
"What happened?" she asked. "Tara, linisin natin—"
"I'm done cleaning it," I said.
She paused but didn't even glance at me, nagpatuloy siya sa hawak sa kamay ni Vioxx kaya kumunot na ang noo ko.
"Engineer—"
"I'm fine, Engineer Lim," he said, but the woman was persistent. My brows furrowed.
Vioxx glanced at me, his face softening when he saw my annoyed expression.
"Pero mas magandang tignan ulit. I had first-hand experience with wounds like that," she insisted.
I cleared my throat and felt his grip on my waist tighten.
"Thanks, Engineer, but my girlfriend already took care of it," Vioxx said.
My heart skipped, stunned by his words.
Girlfriend?
Pero bako pa ako makapag-react ay hinihila niya ako paalis sa harapan nila. We walked quietly, passing by the team who had taken the medicine kit from me. They didn't ask questions but the curious look lingered.
We headed to the cabana and instinctively faced each other and spoke in unison.
"Sorry—"
"Okay lang—"
We both froze. Nag-init ang mukha ko at tumikhim.
"You first," aniya, pero nawala na iyong saabihin ko sana.
"A-Ayos lang... uh, bihis ka muna, dinner tayo," I said and went inside first.
Naupo ako sa bench at habang wala siyang lumulutang ang utak, nire-replay ang nangyari, 'di makapaniwala na kahit matagal nang 'di kami nagkita at nagkasama ay komportable pa rin kami sa isa't-isa.
It seems like no matter how long we were separated, we still knew each other to the bones.
When he came out, he was dressed in a white shirt and khaki pants. Bago pa ako ma-distract sa kanya'y sumunod na ako para magpalit.
I wore a plain white top and high-waisted shorts. When I stepped out, he wasn't in the room, so I blow-dried my hair. Once done, I went outside and found him near the hammock, leaning on the bamboo railing, talking on the phone.
"Yes, mom," aniya.
"I don't know, I have a lot to do for this project. Yes," he said but there was a strain in his voice.
"Next time, maybe." I walked closer, and when he noticed, he turned to me.
He lifted his hand slightly, urging me to get closer. Lumapit ako at inabot niya ang balikat ko.
He glanced at my clothes, humming while listening to the other line. Then, he lifted his hand, brushing strands of hair behind my ear.
"Yes, okay, bye," he said, lowering the phone. Nang mawala ang tawag ay binalingan niyang muli ang suot ko.
"Aren't you cold?" he asked.
"No, I like the fresh air here." Tumango siya, pinaraan ang palad sa balikat kong muli bago ako niyakag paalis.
Ang team ay nasa isang resto para sa dinner at akala ko'y do'n din kami pero inaya niya ako sa isa na kaming dalawa lang.
He pulled out a chair for me. I looked around. The restaurant was open-air; even inside, the breeze and the sound of waves filled the space.
My chest felt lighter as I gazed at the view. Si Vioxx na ang nag-order para sa 'min. Habang nag-aantay ng order ay nagtanong ako.
"This island is yours and your cousin's, right?"
He nodded.
"Yeah. Lucian found this island when it was on sale. A company planned to turn it into a resort. Lucian bought it from them and asked for our help. We paid twice, no, thrice the price," he explained.
I was stunned, my lips parting in surprise.
"We couldn't afford to see them ruin this island. I'll tour you around when we have free time. May shipwreck. We did our best to keep it in its best condition, untouched. Tourists are allowed, but with restrictions," he added.
I was amazed and excited at the thought of exploring with him.
We ate. At first, we were quiet, but I caught him glancing at me, which made me smile.
"Come on, you wanna say something?" I teased.
He licked his lower lip, his dark eyes locking onto mine.
"Just..." He lifted his hand and brushed something from the side of my lips.
"Thank you," I whispered.
He nodded, sipping his wine, his gaze lingering.
"How's Migs?" he asked.
Mas nangiti ako nang maalala ang kapatid. Nakausap ko pa siya kanina at ayos naman sila ni Tita.
"He's with Tita Asunta in Sta. Monica," I said. "Migs is a grown-up now. He's doing well in school."
Nabakas ko ang tuwa sa mukha niya. "I wanna see him but..."
"But what? Why not?" I asked curiously. "He also wants to see you. Alam mo namang idol na idol ka ng batang 'yon."
Nakita ko ang pag gaan ng ekspresyon niya.
"Can... I go to Sta. Monica, then?" he asked, nagtatantya.
"Of course, why not? May magagandang lugar do'n. You'd like it there," I said.
He nodded, a small smile forming. When he saw me struggling to open the crab shell, he took it from me.
"Well, it's hard at first, lalo na no'ng wala si Tatay. Madalas naman akong kumayod dati pa, pero nakakapanibago. I took care of Migs. Si Nanay ayaw sumama."
"Aren't you two communicating?" he asked, peeling shrimp this time and placing them on my plate.
"We are... sometimes."
The truth was, tumatawag lang naman iyon kung kailangan niya ng pera. I wonder if she even misses us o kahit si Miggy lang.
"Hindi sumama sa Sta. Monica?"
"No," I said, noticing how he kept putting food on my plate while he was barely eating. "Wait, marami na akong ulam. Kumain ka."
"I'm fine," he replied. "Just eat."
"Balak ko siyang bisitahin pagbalik natin. Pupuntahan ko rin ang puntod ni Tatay," I said, taking another shrimp and holding it out to him.
Natigilan siya sa ginawa ko, nabakas ko ang mangha sa ekspresyon.
"Come on, eat. You keep on feeding me, let me feed you too," I offered.
He blinked, his eyes falling on the fork I was holding. He grasped my wrist gently and brought the fork to his mouth.
He opened his lips slowly, his eyes still on mine. Nag-init ang mukha ko at napansin kung gaano siya ka-hot habang kumakain...
Lalo na kapag ako ang kinakain...
My throat went dry. 'Di ko nakuha kaagad ang kamay ko pabalik at gustong damhin ang init ng palad niya sa pulsuhan ko hanggang sa natauhan at binawi ang kamay.
"Uh... well," I muttered, sipping my wine to calm myself.
Tangina naman, Sera! Ano, tuyot na ba talaga? I could hear Winter's voice in my head.
"Ang mga pinsan mo?" I asked, trying to distract myself.
"What?" aniya at sinubuan din ako. Tinanggap ko iyon.
"I've seen Cas and Warrion. Si Wave nasa Maynila kasama ang asawa, pero hindi ko nakikita si Lucian?"
Tumigil siya't pumirmi ang labi.
"Crush mo?" he hissed.
"Baliw!" I kicked his foot when he grimaced. "Ang OA, lahat kapag tinatanong, crush kaagad! Alam mo, ikaw na naghahanap ng ikagagalit mo, 'no? Seloso ka kamo, daddy," I teased. His lips pursed, but he tried to act serious, gulping his wine and ignoring me. "Hindi ka maka move-on sa akin, 'no?"
"I am not jealous," he said, swirling his wine glass.
"Weh?" I leaned closer, grinning when I caught his frown. "Weeeh?"
"If I'm jealous, kanina ko pa pinapak 'yang labi mo, Serafine," he hissed.
My eyes widened. He wrinkled his nose and sighed.
"And I know I'm more handsome. He isn't a threat at all," he muttered.
'Di makapaniwalang natawa ako, damang-dama ang kalabog ng puso.
"Oo nga," I agreed. "Mas gwapo ka sa lahat-lahat. Bakit ka magseselos?"
His eyes flickered. He looked at me with that soft gaze.
"R-Really?" he mumbled.
My grin widened. He scowled and rolled his eyes when he realized what I was trying to do.
"Stop playing with my feelings!" he hissed. "My fucking heart's beating fucking fast!"
"Do I look like I'm kidding?" I asked, amused. "I know you're old na, and you're my daddy, but you act like a kid sometimes."
The corner of his lips lifted, annoyed again.
"Pinaglalaruan mo lang ako," he said dramatically.
"I am not! Para kang bata!" I laughed.
"Parang bata, my ass." He glared. "Ganyan ka kasi alam mong patay na patay ako sa 'yo!"
Tila may kiliti akong nararamdaman sa sikmura, 'di mapakali at kinikilig. I can't remember the last time I was this damn happy.
"Talaga?" I asked shamelessly, my tone flirtatious.
"And now you're seducing me!" Tinuro pa niya akong akala mo'y may krimeng nagawa. "You're such a playgirl!"
I burst out laughing at his accusations. Problemadong-problemado siya pero tuwang-tuwa ako. Natapos kaming kumain na nag-aaway nang walang kwenta.
"I am not! Bakit ka nambibintang, Engineer! Sabihin mo, ikaw ang naaakit kahit wala 'kong gawin!"
"Wow, where's the daddy now, huh? Gustong-gusto mo talaga akong pinaglalaruan, 'no?"
'Di pa rin kami tapos kahit nakalabas na kaming restaurant.
"Excuse me, Miranda?!"
"Daan na," he said sarcastically, motioning the way.
"Inaasar mo ba ako, minatamis na gurang?" I shot back, trying to piss him off.
"You little—"
"Hello po?" I almost lost my balance when we suddenly ran into his team and mine.
They all stared at us in shock. Ako na nakapamaywang at si Vioxx na nakasimangot na nakahalukipkip.
Tumuwid ang tayo ko at kumaway.
"Uhm... hello?" I greeted with a nervous chuckle.
"Hindi kayo nakasama sa dinner, Engineer?" Jade asked, smiling teasingly.
"M-May pinag-usapan lang kami tungkol sa trabaho kaya hindi nakasabay—"
"Sorry, we had our date," putol ni Vioxx.
I whipped my head toward him, eyes wide. He looked back at me, his gaze sharp, warning me not to say a word.
Some men whistled, my team squealed, and I caught Engineer Silvano's serious stare. The woman with red lipstick even shot me an annoyed look.
I don't know why but that look pissed me off. Tumikhim ako at tumaas ang sulok ng labi.
"Well, yeah. Ang kulit kasi nito," I said, pointing at Vioxx, na mas nakalapit na pala sa 'kin.
Nagtataka ang mukha niya at gano'n din ang team. I realized I was babbling mindlessly, so I immediately corrected myself.
"Alam n'yo na, sobrang mapilit na maka-date ako kaya binigyan ko na. Ultimate wish niya kasi!" I playfully slapped Vioxx's chest and laughed.
A few jaws dropped. Vioxx coughed beside me, and my hand froze against his chest, realizing I said something dumb again.
It was the most awkward silence ever. My head couldn't form another thought, afraid I might only say something dumb again.
Lahat sila'y mukhang windang at naguguluhan.
"I... uhm..." I murmured.
Mukhang nakuha ni Vioxx na natatanga na ako at naramdaman ko ang paggapang ng mainit niyang palad sa baywang ko bago bumaling sa mga kasama.
"Yeah," he cleared his throat, trying to look serious but I could see the amusement in his eyes.
"It's my dream to date her. I mean, who wouldn't want to? Engineer Mendez is beautiful, flawless... so perfect." He was trying to hide a smirk but I knew that playful glint in his eyes.
Inaasar niya ako.
Pasimple kong kinurot ang likod niya pero ni hindi man lang siya nag-react.
"Right?" he asked the group, who quickly nodded.
"Yes!" the boys agreed.
"O-Oo nga naman," Jade added, sumusulyap pa sa mga kasama para ata udyukin na umu-oo at kung hindi ay dudukutin niya ang mga mata nila.
"Y-Yeah..." They nodded awkwardly. Sa halip na makaligtas, feeling ko mas nilamon ako ng kahihiyan!
Shit! Kung p'wede lang lamunin ng lupa!
"So, excuse us for tonight. My date's tired. Good night." He smiled, guiding me away with his hand on my waist.
We walked in silence, his hand firm on me while I clutched his shirt tightly.
Para kaming mga tuod na dalawa, tanging ang kuliglig lang sa paligid ang ingay hanggang sa mapalayo at tila kabisado ang isa't-isa na nagkatinginan at napahagalpak ng tawa.
"Shit! Nakakahiya!" I screamed, covering my face.
He laughed harder, prying my hand off my face. I jokingly tried to strangle him, hinayaan niya ako pero pulang-pula ang mukha.
"F-Fuck, baby..." he gasped, touching my waist to calm me while I was hysterical.
"Why the hell did I say that?!"
Habang tumatawa ay inakay niya ako papapit, niyayakap ako at ibinaon ako sa kanyang dibdib. I could still feel the remnants of his laughter vibrating through his chest.
"Arrgh!" I groaned louder.
"It's fine," alo pa niya pero sigurado akong sobrang nakakahiya!
We stayed there until I calmed down. Pinirmi niya ako at sinapo ang pisngi ko, hinahanap ang mga mata ko.
"Ayos ka na?" he asked, smiling in amusement.
I glared at him.
"Happy ka na kasi nakaganti ka?" I spat.
He tilted his head, brushing my hair aside.
"I didn't say anything," he murmured. "You did it to yourself, baby. Ikaw ata itong selosa sa 'tin."
"Hmp!" I slapped his hand away. Nagpamaywang ako. "Happy ka?!"
He shrugged, smirking.
"You're still a playgirl to me," he muttered, circling back to our earlier topic. "You keep on seducing me."
"I am not!" I groaned.
He smiled instead, slid his hand to my waist, and guided me forward.
"Hmm, oo na lang," he muttered.
"Hindi nga! I am not seducing you. Alam mo kung bakit ang bilis mong maapektuhan?"
He gave me his full attention, curious.
"Why?"
I pretended to think, then placed my hand gently on his shoulder, tilting my head up.
He looked genuinely curious, his dark eyes full of questions. I leaned closer, watching his eyes darken as he focused on me.
His gaze dropped from my eyes to my lips. I felt his hand slide to my back as he lowered his head for a kiss, only for me to turn away.
His lips landed on my cheek instead. He sighed in resignation.
"Hmm, daddy. You know why?" I whispered sweetly.
"Why..." he muttered huskily.
I leaned closer and kissed his cheek. He stiffened. I noticed the change in his breathing.
"Kasi..." I kissed him near the lips. "Marupok ka."
Nang silipin ko siya'y natigilan siya kaya nakuha ko ang tiyansang lumayo habang tumatawa pabalik sa cabin.
I was still giggling when I shut the door, pero napawi ang ngiti ko nang mas nagrigudon ang puso sa nararamdaman.
I pressed my hand against my chest, sensing the rush inside me, realizing—no matter what happens, no matter how many years pass—it's still him.
A knock echoed from outside. I swallowed hard, my cheeks burning from the kiss we almost shared.
Isang katok pa at narinig ko na ang boses niya.
"Baby, I know you're still giggling in there, but open the door," he said, laughter lacing his tone.
I bit my lip, my face heating up.
Hindi pa ako ready na buksan! Kaka-realize ko lang na siya pa rin talaga! I don't know if I could handle this!
"B-Bukas na lang tayo mag-usap! Uhm... uwi ka muna," I stammered.
He chuckled.
"Hmm, I understand you're flustered, too. But we're not home, baby. We're staying in the same room, so..."
I steadied myself, finally admitting to myself that I still love him. I did not even stop.
But how do I face him?
"Baby?" He knocked again.
I sighed, drew a deep breath, stood straight, and slowly opened the door—only to meet his blazing eyes.
We locked gazes. No words were spoken, but the spark between us flared like fire.
The moment I stepped closer, he lowered his face to level with mine and immediately claimed my lips.
I froze at first, but seconds later, I found myself clutching the back of his neck. I tiptoed, tilted my head, and surrendered to his kiss. I felt like I was melting, tila nauupos na posporo sa pagdarang ng apoy.
We exchanged deep kisses until I felt him pushing me and lowering me to the bed. I opened my eyes and saw the fire burning in his eyes.
"Guess it's good na marupok tayo sa isa't isa?" His lips twitched. I smacked him lightly, then glanced at his mouth again.
"P-Pakiss pa ulit," I murmured, pulling his nape down to me.
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