Chapter 38
Grey's POV
Pinagmasdan ko ang magiging reaksyon ni Cairo sa sinabi ko. Ilang segundo kong pinagmasdan ang mukha niya at hinihintay siyang may sabihin.
Naitikom ko ang labi ko bago dinampot ang bote ng San Mig Light at sumimsim ng beer habang si Cairo itong nakatulala pa rin sa akin habang nakaparte ang mga labi.
Napatikhim ako, "Wala ka bang sasabihin?" tanong ko pagkalapag ng bote sa lamesa.
Kumurap-kurap ito ng ilang beses bago tumawa na parang manok, "Grey...!" sigaw nito na ikinalaki ng mata ko.
"Ano?" tanong ko habang hawak-hawak ang tinidor para kumain ng sisig na in-order niya.
"You're falling for Code—"
"Fuck no! Kadiri!" Sabat ko agad sa kaniya.
Napahagalpak ng tawa si Cairo. Muntikan pa siyang tumimbuang mula sa kina-uupuan niya dahil wala itong sandalan.
"Anong hindi?! Obvious naman na yun ang dahilan!" ani niya at agad kumunot ang noo ko habang ngumunguya ng sisig.
"Hindi nga kasi! How can I fall for that guy? I hate him to the bones!" I exclaimed before eating a spoonful of rice.
"Then what are you talking about na may mga nararamdaman ka na para sa kaniya na hindi dapat?" Tinaasan ako nito ng kilay.
Bahagya akong natigilan sa pagnguya. Dahan-dahan kong nilunok ang pagkain sa bibig ko bago inilapag sa pinggan ang kutsara na hawak.
"Oh? Ano ngayon? Wala kang maisagot 'no?" Pang-aasar sa akin ni Cairo.
Napabuntong-hininga ako bago umirap, "I'm just... starting to care for him a little. Just... some... kind gestures, that's all." I replied. Cairo's brows furrowed, a teasing smile printed on his lips, which made me scoff and shake my head.
"Alam mo, Grey, niloloko mo lang ang sarili mo." ani niya bago sumubo ng pagkain.
Agad akong umiling bago sumubo ng sisig, "Hindi kaya," sagot ko agad sa kaniya.
Tumawa nang pagak si Cairo, "Imposible naman na iyon lang ang dahilan mo para itigil ang pinaplano mo kay Code. Sabi mo nga, you hate him to the bones, pero dahil lang nag-aalala ka sa kaniya, hindi ka na gaganti?" tanong niya at bahagya akong napangiwi habang ngumunguya.
"Hindi ko naman sinabi na hindi na ako gaganti sa kaniya. It's just... not with the FUBU way anymore." I replied and Cairo arched a brow while looking down on his food.
"Edi paano na? Sa paanong paraan ka na gaganti sa kaniya?" tanong ni Cairo habang ngumunguya.
Napabuntong hininga ako, bumagsak ang magkabila kong balikat bago natulala kay Cairo, "Hindi ko na rin alam. All I know is that... I think I should stop with the FUBU thing and stop being this close to Code or else things will get worse." I replied before taking another bite of my food.
I was looking down at my plate, scooping a reasonable amount of food, when I glanced at Cairo, who was looking at me meaningfully, a teasing smile printed on his lips.
I sighed, "Ano nanaman?" Inis kong tanong dito.
Napahagikhik siya bago tumingin sa pinggan niya at umiling, "I think you're really just... falling for Code." he lifted his head and gave me an annoying smile while continuously blinking his eyes.
I sighed and rolled my eyes, "Hindi nga, Cairo. Ang kulit mo naman, eh. Hindi ako na-fa-fall sa kaniya. Nagiging... soft-hearted lang ako." Paliwanag ko rito at ngumiwi ito, tinaasan ako ng kilay bago nag-side eye sa akin.
"Alam mo, bakla, oo na, sige na. Kwento mo 'yan, eh. Siyempre ikaw tama diyan." ani niya na ikinatawa ko nang bahagya bago napa-iling.
Pagkatapos namin kumain ay inihatid ko na ito sa bahay nila bago nagpaalam na at umuwi. Nang dumating ako sa condo ay nag-asikaso muna ako ng laundry para isasampay ko nalang ito bukas dahil day-off ko naman.
Maaga akong nagising kinabukasan para mag-jogging. Dumaan din ako sa malapit na bakery para bumili ng pandesal at loaf ng tinapay bago umuwi. Nag-almusal lang ako ng pandesal na binili ko bago nagsampay ng mga nilabhan ko kagabi at naglinis ng condo.
Maaga pa naman para magluto ng tanghalian kaya naglaro muna ako ng LOL pampalipas oras.
Habang naglalaro ay biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko dahil may tumatawag. Ayaw ko pa sana itong sagutin o pansinin noong una. Pero nang mahagip ito ng paningin ko at nakita na si Code ang tumatawag ay agad kong binitawan ang mouse ko at inalis ang headphone ko bago dinampot ang cellphone at sinagot ang tawag.
"Hello? Code—"
[Doc Grey! Hi po! How are you po?] Boses agad ni Chiara ang bumungad sa akin.
Nagparte ang labi ko bago bahagyang itinulak ang sarili ko palayo sa lamesa, "Hey, Chiara, I'm fine, ikaw? Kamusta ka?" tanong ko pabalik sa bata.
[I'm okay po, Doc Grey, wala po kaming pasok today, may event po sa school, eh.] sagot niya pabalik at utay-utay akong tumango.
"How about... your Daddy? Magaling na ba siya?" tanong ko rito. Hindi agad nakasagot si Chiara. Nakarinig ako ng ilang kaluskos sa kabilang linya. May iba pa akong ingay na narinig peor hindi ko na maintindihan nang maayos kung ano ito.
[He said — ah, he's not feeling well pa po, Doc Grey. He's still sick po.] sagot ng bata at utay-utay akong tumango.
"Ahh, is that so? Nag... lunch na ba kayo?" tanong ko rito,
[Not yet pa po, it's still early pa po, eh.] sagot nito at muli akong napatango. Nagbalik ako ng tingin sa computer ko bago in-exit ang laro.
Napatayo ako mula sa gaming chair, "Okay then... uhm... may gagawin pa ako, Chiara. Goodbye!" ani ko bago napatakbo papunta ng closet ko para maghanap ng damit ma maisusuot.
[Okay po, bye, Doc Grey!] Nag-hum lang ako bago pinatay ang tawag. Agad kong inilapag ang cellphone ko sa loob ng cabinet habang naghahanap ng damit.
Nang makapili ng pantalon at t-shirt na isusuot ay agad akong lumabas ng kwarto para magluto. Mabuti nalang at may karne pa ako sa ref na pwedeng lutuin. Mabilis akong nagluto ng ulam bago naligo at naghanda sa pag-alis.
Bago pa mag 12 ay naka-alis na ako ng condo. Mabilis akong nagmenho papunta sa bahay nila Code at nagbabakasakali na hindi pa sila nakakapagtanghalian.
"Good afternoon po, andiyan po ba si Code?" tanong ko sa kasambahay na sumalubong sa akin sa gate.
"Si Sir Code po ba? Nasa loob po," sagot niya at agad akong napatango.
"Uhm... makikisab1i naman po na andito si Grey sa labas, may... dalang tanghalian." Nag-aalinlangan kong turan.
Tumango ang kasambahay nila bago naglakad papasok ng bahay. Ilang minuto rin akong naghintay sa labas sa ilalim ng maliit na puno namay mga bulaklak para umiwas sa sikat ng araw.
Maya-maya ay bumalik ang kasamba'hay, "Pasok daw po kayo, sir." ani nito bago ako pinagbuksan ng gate.
Nahihiya akong pumasok. Kahit pang-ilang beses ko na rito ay nahihiya pa rin ako na pumasok sa malaki at malawak nilang bakuran.
Sumilip muna ako sa pinto bago tuluyang pumasok, "Code? Chiara?" Tawag ko sa mag-ama. Utay-utay akong naglakad papuntang sala para ilapag ang dala kong paper bag sa coffee table.
Naglilibot-libot ako ng tingin sa loob ng bahay. Agad akong napalingon sa gawi ng hagdan nang marinig ang sunod-sunod na yabag ng paa rito.
Nang lingunin ko ito ay gulat na gulat si Code na nakatingin sa akin.
"Bumisita ka?" tanong nito, nakahawak sa rai-lings ng hagdan habang namimilog ang mata. Nakasuot siya ng grey sweatpants at itim na tanktop.
Nagparte ang labi ko bago naglakad palapit sa paper bag na dala ko at dinampot ito, "Nag... dala ako ng tanghalian. Kumain na ba kayo?" tanong ko rito.
Nagparte ang labi niya bago nagpatuloy sa paglalakad pababa ng hagdan. "Uhm... we did had lunch na." he replied. That's when I felt a steam come out from my back.
Oh...
I sealed my lips, swallowed the lump in my throat before nodding. I held the handle of the paper bag with both my hands in front of my legs.
"Then... uhm... I'll be going—"
"Pero gutom pa ako." Putol nito sa akin. Ilang segundo akong natigilan, nakaparte ang mga labi habang nakatulala kay Code.
Naglakad ito palapit sa akin, nang isang metro nalang ang layo niya at direktang nakatingin sa mga mata ko ay agad akong nag-iwas ng tingin at binasa ang pang-ibaba kong labi gamit ang dila ko.
"Pero sabi mo kumain ka na?" tanong ko rito, nakalingon pa rin sa malayo.
Narinig ko ang paghakbang niya palapit, naramdaman ko ang presensya niya sa harap ko na halos ilang dangkal nalang ang layo sa akin na ikinalakas ng kalabog ng dibdib ko.
"But I'm still hungry." There's something in his voice that sent shivers down my spine when he said it. Maybe it was the depth of his voice? The raspiness in it? Or was it the tone? Or maybe the fact that I could feel his hot breath brushing against my cheek when he said it.
I jolted up when I felt his hand brush against mine when he reached for the paper bag in my hand. My head snapped at him as I watched his hand move. He looked inside the paper bag. I could feel the sweat building up on my forehead as I waited for his next move or words.
He lifted his head and flashed me a small smile, "Let's go, kumain na tayo," he said before walking towards their dining room.
I followed him like an obedient puppy. I sat on one of the chairs as I watched him set the table. He even prepared the rice and juice for us while I sat there, watching him.
Nahihiya akong kumain noong una. Pinagmamasdan ko muna siya at pinapanood ang magiging reaksyon niya sa sinigang na niluto ko.
"Mhmm, sarap ah." ani niya nang tumikim ng sabaw.
Nahihiya akong ngumiti bago nagbaba ng tingin sa pinggan ko, "Salamat," nahihiya kong turan bago sumubo ng pagkain.
Nabalot kami ng katahimikan ng ilang minuto. Tanging mga tunog lang ng kubyertos ang maririnig na ingay sa paligid. Hinihintay ko rin na dumating ang anak nito. Pero matatapos nalang kaming kumain ay hindi ko pa naririnig ang boses ni Chiara.
Dinampot ko ang baso na may lamang juice at sumimsim mula rito bago tumikhim para kunin ang atensyon niya, "Si... Chaira pala? Nasaan?" tanong ko rito, nag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin, bahagyang namilog ang mga mata niya bago dinampot ang table napkin sa tabi at nagpahid ng labi.
"She's at Hades and Yago's place, nakikipaglaro sa kambal kasi wala rin silang pasok." sagot nito at utay-utay tumango.
"Pero susunduin ko rin mamayang 3 PM kasi nangako ako sa kaniya na pupunta kami ng mall kapag magaling na ako." Dagdag niya at doon ay nagparte ang labi ko.
Napalunok ako ng laway bago tumango, "Kamusta ka na nga pala? Halos... isang linggo ka rin na nilalagnat? Bumisita ka na ba sa doktor?" tanong ko sa kaniya. Dinampot nito ang baso ng tubig, sumimsim bago utay-utay tumango.
"Yep, I actually did," he replied, and I nodded.
"Anong sabi? Ano raw sakit mo?" tanong ko pa rito. Bahagyang namilog ang mga mata niya, napakamot ito sa batok at umiwas pa ng tingin sa akin, "Ahm..." kumunot ang noo niya bago umiling, "Wala naman, simpleng lagnat at sipon lang. Alam mo na... dahil sa bagyo." sagot niya, bahagyang kumunot ang noo ko, pinanliitan ko pa siya ng mata bago tumango.
"How 'bout now? How are you feeling?" I asked, picking up the glass of water and taking a sip from it.
He nodded, "I'm fine, malakas na, nakakapag-gym na nga ako, eh." sagot niya at bahagya pa akong napatawa at nasamid sa tubig.
Agad kong pinahid ang tubig na umagos sa baba ko, "That's great, I was worried—" I paused. My eyes grew wide when our eyes met.
Shit! I just busted myself!
I cleared my throat, "I mean..." I don't know what to say, fuck!
He arched a brow, "You mean what?" he asked, urging me.
I swallowed the lump in my throat, "I was just... thinking about... Chiara! Right, Chiara, kasi kung may sakit ka, sinong mag-aalaga sa anak mo? At... baka mahawaan mo yung bata, diba? Hindi naman siya nagkasakit noong may sakit ka?" Pagpapalusot ko.
Tumaas ang magkabila niyang kilay, gumuhit ang maliit na ngiti sa labi niya bago utay-utay tumango. "Hindi naman, she was fine, hindi ko naman siya nahawaan. Ikaw lang naman ang nahawaan ko." May nakakalokong ngisi sa labi niya.
Agad namilog ang mata ko bago nag-iwas ng tingin. Naramdaman ko ang pag-init ng pisnge ko at ang pamumuo ng pawis sa noo ko.
He's flirting with me! I know he is! The eyes? The smile?! He's definitely flirting with me!
But fuck, he shouldn't know I'm being affected with whatever he's doing! Man up, Grey! Play along with his game!
I cleared my throat and faced him, a small smile printed on my lips, "I mean... we were definitely too close to each other, no wonder I got sick too." I said in the same flirtatious tone he used a while ago.
He chuckled, which I find... funny too.
He shook his head before standing up from his head, "I'll stop wasting your time. Baka may pupuntahan ka pa—"
"Wala, actually," I cut him off.
I don't exactly know what I want or what I mean by that. Yes, I have nothing else to do. But why do I have to tell him? Wala rin naman dito ang anak niya? Para saan pa kung... mag s-stay ako?
He arched a brow, "Well... what can I do to entertain you?" he asked, the hint of flirting still present in his voice, which made my heart pound a little stronger.
I took a deep breath, looked around before shrugging, "I don't know, what do you have to offer?" I asked, raising a brow.
He asked his maids to clean up the table. He even offered me an ice cream, which I declined since I'm full. I'm still waiting for his next move, for what he can offer to entertain me. And when he invited me to his room, I just knew things will gonna go downhill.
"The fuck!? How did you beat me?!" he shouted, annoyed that he lost again for the 4th time.
I chuckled, adjusting my glasses before eating a piece of churro his maid brought us for snacks. When he invited me to his room, I really thought we're gonna have sex. What else should I think about? We're grown-ups, we're still in our FUBU situation, and we are inside his room. Sinong mag-aakala na maglalaro kami ng Call fo Duty sa PlayStastion niya?
Napakamot ito sa ulo bago dumampot ng churro na nasa ibabaw ng coffee table sa harap namin.
We went for another round, we're busy playing, when suddenly the moment felt a familiar feeling. It was as if I were feeling... deja vu.
My brows furrowed. I lost focus on the game, which made Code win the round. He shouted and cheered to celebrate while I remained seated on the floor, trying to remember what had happened before that I seemed to forget.
"Hey, are you okay?" he tapped my shoulder. My eyes immediately snapped at his direction before nodding, "Yeah, I just... remembered something." I replied, trying to brush the thought off.
But as we went for another game, a team game this time, I couldn't help but ask him. That's why when I died, I placed the controller on my lap and faced him.
"Code... I'm having this feeling na parang... nangyari na 'to dati? Have we played—"
"When we had sex for the first time. We played after like nothing happened," he cut me off.
My lips parted, but I immediately sealed them close.
Shit, that's the thing! That's why it felt so familiar!
Utay-utay akong tumango bago uminom ng shake na nasa lamesa, "Kaya pala familiar," I mumblled, staring at the floor.
I heard Code chuckled which caught my attention, "That was almot 10 years ago, hindi kita masisisi kung nakalimutan mo na." ani niya bago sumubo ng churro.
Our eyes met, a warm smile printed on his lips as he chewed on his food, his dimple popping on his cheeks every time he would chew.
A smile grew on my lips, I could feel the beating of my heart inside— I'm afraid he might even hear it. It was saying something— it was talking to me. But I refused to listen and looked back on the game, brushing off the thought I knew I would regret.
Code changed the topic. He said it's almost 3 PM and he'll start getting ready to pick up his daughter from her playdate.
I pursed my lips, nodded, and placed down the controller, watching him turn off the television and his gaming device.
He entered his closet, I decided to stand up from the floor, dust my pants before walking around his room. It was my first time looking around the place without any other intentions. I'm not here for the sake of my plan and to make a move. I'm simply... exploring and admiring his room.
I started wandering around, looking at the figurines, the displays, and even the books he had on his working table.
Gosh, law, I don't think my brain will be able to handle that many books and readings.
I paused with a picture frame hanging on the wall.
It's his graduation picture. I have mine in my room at my parents' house. I never get to bring it to my condo because it reminds me of the good times. Also, the bad times. Whenever I would look at pictures and videos I took back then in college, it would never fail to remind me how awful it was after Code broke up— no, after Code revealed his true intentions. I could never think about college without getting hurt ever since. Sometimes, I even choose to forget some memories and things just for the sake of my peace of mind.
I took a closer look at his picture. I badly wanted to reach for it and hold it closer just to be able to look at it clearly.
Damn, that face. Minahal ko 'yang mukhang 'yan, eh. 'Yang ngiting 'yan? 'Yang mga matang 'yan? Hulog na hulog ako diyan, eh. Dati.
Agad akong napalingon sa pintuan ng closet nang bumukas iyon. Nagtagpo ang mga mata namin ni Code habang inaayos niya ang butones ng polo na suot niya.
"Uhm... do you need something?" he asked softly.
I gave him a smile before shaking my head, "This picture," I pointed at it, "Tinitingnan ko lang." ani ko at nakita kong nagparte ang labi niya bago naglakad palapit sa akin. I saw how his expressions dropped. It was as if he remembered something I was also thinking about.
"Oh, Grey, about that—"
"It's fine, let's not... talk about it." I immediately cut him off. I'm afraid this conversation, of whatever conversation he's about to start, might lead to a topic that I know will ruin our afternoon.
He bit his lower lip, I saw how he nibbled at it a few times before nodding.
"Okay, I'm sorry," he apologized which I just responded with a nod.
He scratched the back of his head, "Uhm, let's go? Susunduin pa natin si Chiara." he walked towards his table and picked up his keys.
My lips parted, "K-Kasama ako?" Nagtataka kong turan habang nakaturo sa sarili ko.
Nilingon ako nito bago ngumiti, "Ayaw mo ba? Chiara would be delighted when she sees you. And besides, sila Hades lang yun, they won't suspect a thing," he said before walking past by to walk towards the door.
What does he mean by won't suspect a thing? It's Hades, of course, he would suspect a thing! Heck! He would suspect even the slightest detail! Parang hindi niya kilala ang isang yun!
I followed Code's car to Hade's and Yago's place. Even though I've been there for few times already, I still let him take the lead.
I was having second thoughts about whether I should really follow him or not. I had a thousand times to take a turn and abandon him, but I didn't.
I arrived in front of our friend's place. I parked my car a few meters away from his before stepping out of my vehicle, and saw him waiting for me at the gate.
"Tara na," Aya nito sa akin. Isang malalim na buntong hininga ang kumawala sa labi ko sumunod sa kaniya at pumasok na sa loob.
"Daddy!! OH! Doc Grey!!" sigaw ni Chiara nang pumasok kami sa loob ng bahay. Gulat na gulat pa ito ng makita ako at agad akong sinalubong ng yakap.
"Tito Grey! Tito Grey!" sigaw ng isang anak nila Yago. Habang ang tahimik na kambal naman ay kumaway lang sa akin habang inaayos ang mga laruan.
"May pasalubong po ikaw?" Tanong ni Beau— si Beau 'to diba? Yung kamukha at kaugali ni Hades? Tama, si Beau 'to.
Natatawa akong umiling bago inayos ang buhok ni Beau, "Wala, Beau, pero sa susunod, magdadala ako." sagot ko rito, ngumuso ito, halos umismid na bago naglakad pabalik sa kambal.
Napatawa ako bago tumayo mula sa pagkakaluhod sa sahig. Nang mag-angat ako ng tingin ay nakita kong nakatingin sa akin ang mag-asawa. Si Yago ay sumenyas gamit ang mata niya, sinundan ko ang tingin niya na agad nag-landing kay Code na ikinalaki ng mata ko.
"Uhm... nag... kita lang kami somewhere, and... I wanted to see Chiara that's why... sumama ako sa pagsundo." Depensa ko agad.
Tumaas ang kilay ni Hades bago inayos ang buhok niya, "Wala pa akong tinatanong, teh. Nagpapaliwanag ka agad." Singhal nito bago kinuha ang pinggan na nasa lamesa.
Nagparte ang labi ko, si Yago ay halatang nagpipigil ng tawa bago napa-iling. "Ay-yay-yay! Nahuhuli ang mga bading!~"
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a/n: wala muna away hehehe, happy-happy muna tayo kskkksks
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