I was back in the office at di ko namalayan na sports fest na namin. Yes our company come up with it for welfare raw ng employees. Pero di ko maintindihan bakit ako nasama dito. I always made sure na iba ang magiging representative ng group namin. Well sinamantala ata ng mga staff ko ang pag li-leave ko at napag kaisahang maging representative ng department namin.
Nag stretching ako kunwari habang ang mga ka department ko ang nagchicheer sa amin. There are four groups and each group consist of ten members from different department. I'm still lucky na ka group ko si Nick. And yeah we are partners in this game. Kung saan nakatali ang dalawang kaliwang kamay at paa namin at kelangan naming tumawid set ng obstacle course.
"Hi," bati ko kay Nick.
"Hi," tipid na sagot niya.
"Uhm, kamusta?" tanong ko.
"I'm good," tugon niya.
"How about you?" lumapit siya sa akin at bumulong sa tenga ko.
"When is the wedding?" tanong niya.
"This year maybe?" I smiled at him.
"Glad to hear that," he smiled back. He is not in his usual self when his with me. His more formal than usual.
"Thank you sa lahat Nick, and sorry," sabi ko.
"Bumawi ka, we should win this." He flashed his smile at me.
"I'll do my best."
Nag lakad na kami sa starting line at tinali na ng mga team mates namin ang paa at kamay namin.
"Hold my hand," sabi ni Nick.
"Okay," I let our fingers intertwined. Narinig namin sumigaw ang referee.
"Ready."
"Get set."
"Go!"
We started walking in small steps, alam namin pareho na kapag nag madali kami ay matutumba kami at mas mahirap bumangon kung ganun ang mangyayari.
Nasa pangatlo kami sa nauuna hanggang sa makarating kami sa unang obstacle.
The first obstacle ay kailangan naming gumapang gaya ng mga nagtitraining na sundalo, ang sumunod ay tatawid ng bangko kaya kailangan naming mag lakad ng patagilid. Ang pangatlo ay kailangan naming tumalon sa mga mga gulong.
Habol ko ang hininga ko habang tumatalon kami halos malapit lang ang pagitan namin sa kabilangTeam na bahagyang nauuna sa amin.
"Kaya pa Gab?" tanong niya sa akin.
"Oo Naman," sagot ko kahit hinihingal na.
Nasa last set na kami ng gulong habang ang kalaban namin ay naglalakad na papunta sa finish line. Then I saw Xavier watching our game.
"Nick! I want to win this," sabi ko sa kanya.
"Just wait for them to fall," sabi niya sa akin.
Ang kalaban namin ay sobrang bilis. Ewan ko pero natatawa ako dahil para kaming pato na naglalakad ni Nick.
"Okay let's just finish it."
"Para tayong pato," sabi ko.
"We are penguins," he corrected me.
"Mainit sa Pinas kaya walang penguin," kontra ko sa kanya.
We are both giggling sa kalokohan namin ng bigla na lang natumba ang kalaban namin.
"I guess we have a chance to win now Gab."
Pinaspasan namin ang lakad namin and all I can hear is the cheer from the crowd. Sobrang saya ko nang mauna kami sa finish line. Itinaas namin ni Nick ang kamay namin. Ewan ko, but we found ourselves engulfed by the cheer of the crowd and we are both smiling. We both sit and removed the cloth tying our feet.
"Bagay na bagay talaga sina Ms. De Guzman at Sir Suarez! Kita niyo yung chemistry."
Sigaw ng Emcee sa mic. I smiled awkwardly at them.
Yung totoo? Dating game ba ang ito o sports fest?
"Kiss!"
"Pag bigyan niyo na kami kahit sa cheeks lang," panunukso ng Emcee.
Okay, that escalated quickly.
"Asus pakipot pa 'tong mga team mates natin." Bintang ngmga kasama namin.
Saka kami tinulak sa isa't isa ng mga hinayupak.
Medyo napalakas ang tulak nila dahilan para ma-off balance ako at matumba patalikod.
Langya! Bukol pa ata ang mapapala ko dito.
I brace myself for the fall pero hindi iyon nangyari. Instead I felt a hand on my waist keeping me from falling.
I opened my eyes and saw it was Nick. He helped stand again.
"Okay ka lang?" tanong sa akin ni Nick.
Tinanguan ko lang siya. I looked at my team mates face and what I saw was their teasing faces.
"Ayun oh,kita niyo yon? Catch me I'm falling for you ang peg ng dalawang 'to. Ayaw pa kasing imamin na mag-jowa sila, Eh alam Naman na natin lahat. Diba guys?" tanong niya.
I search for Xavier. I saw him just staring at me, with his furrowed brows. He turned his back and walked out.
Hala! Galit ata ang impakto!
Susundan ko sana siya ng hilain ako ng mga kasama ko para sa group photo. Yung totoo? Di pa naman kami over all champion ahh?
As soon as the next game started I immediately left the Gym and look for Xavier. I went to the locker room to get my phone to call Xavier. Pero sa bungad pa lang nun ay nakita ko na siyang nakasandal may pintuan.
"I was looking for you," panimula ko.
"And I know you are," sambit niya.
"Bakit ka nag walkout ang nakabusangot pa?" tanong ko.
"Everyone in there was cheering for you and Nick to confirm your relationship, while me, your fiancé is watching. I was pissed that's why I walked out," paglilinaw niya.
"Hindi kasi sila aware," pagtatanggol ko sa naging reaction nila.
"I know, and I understand why you want to keep our relationship a secret until we get married. But I can't help getting jealous, I wanted them to cheer for us."
He is making this anxious face pero di ko na pigilan ang sarili kong matuwa sa itsura niya.
"My man is jealous, but still looks cute," pang-aasar ko sa kanya.
"Stop treating me like a seven year old boy."
"But you're acting like a seven year old boy," pagpapatuloy ko.
Umayos siya ng tayo at lumapit sa akin. He is wearing this naughty look, di ko namalayan naisandal na niya ako sa pader.
"Xi, mag tigil ka sa kalokohan mo," sita ko sa kanya.
"I'm not doing anything yet," sambit niya.
Pero halatang may binabalak siya.
"Will you still think I'm a seven year old if I kiss you here?"
He started to lean to get closer to me.
"Siraulo ka, baka may makakita sa atin," pigil ko sa kanya.
"Ahh, you don't want to be seen?" nang-iintrigang tanong niya.
"Abnormal ka! di na nakakatawa," kinakabahang sabi ko.
"Don't you want a kiss?" tanong niya.
Langya! Landi ng lalaking ito.
"Yes or No?"
Magsisinungaling ba ako? Kapag nag yes ako siyempre hahalikan niya ako, which is gusto ko naman, kapag sinabi kong No di niya makakalimutan ang pagseselos niya.
" Okay," pag-sang-ayon ko.
I close my eyes, waiting for his lips on mine but he kiss my forehead instead. Minulat ko ang mata ko sa pag tataka.
"I love you Gabe, and I can't wait to marry you."
"I love you too," sagot ko sa kanya.
Bakit nadisappoint ako na di niya ako hinalikan?
***
It's weekend at dahil we can't see each other a lot at the office. We set the weekends as our babe time. Matapos kong makaligo at makapag-ayos ay lumabas na ako ng kwarto at nagpunta Sa Sala.
I abutan ko si kuya na nanonood ng basketball habang nakahiga sa sofa.
"No, sleepovers Gabriela," pagpapaalala niya.
"Oo kuya alam ko, parang ang layo ng pupuntahan ko ehh diyan lang ako sa kabila," sabi ko sa kanya.
"Don't forget to use protection, No getting pregnant before the marriage. Ayokong kalbuhin ni Mama," paalala niya ulit.
"Ghad Kuya!! Ang dumi ng nasa utak mo. Uminom ka nga ng holy water minsan. Kasama mo si Goofy may bantay kami okay?"
"Kapag may narinig akong kakaibang ungol. Siguradong di na si Goofy 'yun. Anything could happen out of the blue."
"Ewan ko sayo Kuya!" Binato ko siya ng throw pillow bago lumabas ng pinto kasama si Goofy.
Pinindot ko ang doorbell sa labas ng pinto ni Xavier siguro mga tatlong beses kong ginawa yun bago niya iyon buksan. Nakita kong ibinababa niya ang laylayan ng shirt niya hanggang sa matakpan ang tiyan niya. Actually di ko alam kung tiyan ba talaga yun dahil sa toned abs niya.
Tinahulan siya ni Goofy, he kneeled and scratched my dogs chin.
"Hello there Boy," bati niya dito.
Saka tumayo ulit para batiin ako.
"Goodmorning sweetie," aniya.
"Sino ba talaga gusto mo makita? Nauna mo pa talagang batiin ang aso Ko kesa sa akin."
Natawa siya sa sinabi ko.
"My woman is getting jealous of her dog," pang-aasar niya.
"Ewan ko sayo, Impakto ka," singhal ko sa kanya.
"But you still love me." Ayun na naman ang nakakaloko niyang ngiti.
"Ewan Ko sayo." Irap ko sa kanya.
Pumasok na ako sa loob ng bahay niya. I was kinda shock, I haven't been to his house before and it's clean which is unusual. Mas masinop pa ang lalaking ito kesa sa akin. His house smells fresh and cool.
"Have you eaten?" tanong niya sa akin na Umaga ng atension ko.
Umiling ako.
"I cooked lunch, let's eat together," aya niya sa akin.
'Yun pala yung naamoy ko kanina pagka pasok na pagka pasok ko sa bahay niya.
Iginayak niya ako papunta sa dining area. He pulled the chair for me, siya na rin nag lagay ng plato at kubyertos sa mesa not letting me do anything. Pinauna niya rin akong kumuha ng kanin at ulam.
"May ginawa ka bang kasalanan?" Naghihinalang tanong ko.
Nag-isip siya saglit.
"I can't remember any," He said finally.
"Bakit mo ako pinagsisilbihan?"
"I just want to, can't I do it on my future wife?" balik niya ng tanong sa akin.
Naupo siya sa silya na katapat ko at nag simula na kaming kumain.
Pagkatapos kong kumain ay na patingin ako sa direksyon niya. He was smiling as if kanina pa niya ako pinapanood.
"Ang creepy mo!" sita ko sa kanya. He just chuckled. May nakakatawa na ba sa sinabi ko?
"Ako na mag-huhugas ng pinagkainan," presinta Ko.
"No," protesta niya.
"Ako na nga," sabi ko at kinuha ang mga plato at dinala lababo.
"Gabe, let me do it," di pa rin siya pumapayag.
"Sige, ikaw ang mag-huhugas at uuwi na ako sa amin," banta ko.
Natigilan siya sa pag-kuha ng sponge.
"'Wag kang mag alala di ako magbabasag," I assured him.
Di na siya nakipag talo, at naupo sa may mesa at hinintay akong matapos.
"Not everyone likes washing the dishes," sabi niya.
"Ayoko din naman sadyang nakakahiyang pagsilbihan mo ako. Eh ako dapat gumagawa nun sa'yo."
"You can serve me, in another way."
Na-gets ko ang tinutukoy niya.
"Sira ulo," madilim ang tingin na sabi ko sa kanya.
We then went to the living room and had a marathon of 'Stranger Things' while eating chips with Goofy of course. Pareho kaming nakaupo sa sofa at nakataas ang paa sa lamesa like we used to.
"I miss this," sabi niya out of nowhere.
"Watching Netflix?"
"Being with you, I miss you my Silang," aniya at saglit akong niyakap.
Bakit ganun seryoso kaming nanonood. Di naman romance 'tong pinapanood namin. Tapos bigla siyang babanat ng ganito, marupok pa man din ako.
"I miss you too," I answered him.
We both gaze at each other's eyes. I could feel my heart leap as we slowly close the distance between us. I expected him to kiss me, pero di ko inasahan na sa noo niya lang ako hahalikan. Madalas na niyang gawin iyon. When did we last kissed? one week ago? two weeks ago?
I frowned at him, di ako natutuwa.
"What's wrong?" tanong niya.
"Ewan ko sayo!" inis na sagot ko sa kanya. I then turned my head to watch again and munched chips again. The show was not boring but I suddenly felt sleepy because of the silence between me and Xi.
Langya 'tong impaktong 'to, ayaw akong lambingin. Napahikab na lang ako.
"Do you wanna take a nap?" tanong niya sa akin.
"Can I?"
"Of course," sabi niya.
Akmang lilipat siya ng pwesto pero agad akong nahiga at ginawang unan ang hita niya.
"What are you doing?" tanong niya habang tinititigan ako habang nakahiga sa kandungan niya.
"Making you my pillow?" maang-maangan ko.
"I know somethings bothering you," sabi niya.
May lahi atang psychic to ehh. Umupo akong muli at hinarap siya.
"Mahal mo ba talaga ako?" tanong ko.
"Of course I do," mabilis niyang sagot.
"Bakit ka ganyan?" tanong ko saka ako sumimangot.
"What did I do?" tanong din niya.
"Bakit feeling ko ayaw mo na akong I-kiss?" parang batang tanong ko.
"What?"
"What mo mukha mo! Lagi na lang sa noo mo ako hinahalikan. I know it's sweet pero I also wanna kiss your lips," pag-amin ko.
He chuckled, ikinabusangot ng mukha ko. Akala niya ata nagbibiro ako.
"Akala mo nagbibiro ako? Nakakainis kaya! Para akong tanga naghihintay na halikan mo ko, feeling ko ang landi ko kasi gusto kita halikan lagi but I can't tell you these things. I don't even know bakit ko sina-"
Naputol ang paglilitanya ko nang biglang sinakop ng labi niya ang labi ko. I gazed at his eyes only to find it looking at me. His eyes and lips we're talking to me as if asking for permission to own my lips. I closed my eyes and parted my lips so he could come in, he nibbled my lips and soon I feel his tongue tugging mine as if teasing it. His lips was warm and cold at the same time his kiss was gentle but demanding . It was like an oasis in the middle of the desert.
I mimic every move his mouth makes, and I can't help but gently gasp everytime. This was different from the kisses we had before. It send chills down my spine and it awakens sensations inside me. It's weird that I'm liking it.
"Just tell me if you want me to stop," He asked in between his kiss.
"Don't," I pleaded.
He kissed me deeper this time, pulling me closer to him. His lips were more aggressive this time. I was lying on the couch and he is on top of me. I know we're this is going if we don't stop it now, but I don't want to stop this. I felt like I'm melting. I gripped on his shirt for strength. We kissed until our lips are numb and both out breath.
I wanted to take things on the next level but we both stopped in an instant before we forget our limitations.
Alam kong namumula ang mukha ko kaya nag-iwas ako ng tingin sa kanya.
"Don't tease me like that again Silang, next time there's no stopping me," He warned.
"No one is stopping you," sabi ko naman.
As if on cue he pushed me down the couch and kissed me again with much yearning. I could feel his hand under my shirt caressing my bare back. I felt a tingling sensation as his hand travels.
"Don't make me do this," he pleaded.
I could feel he is restraining, am I punishing him that much? Alam ko Kung gaano niya pinipigilan ang sarili niya.
"I love you," I muttered and pulled him again.
This was totally out of character, I wanted more than his kisses, I want him to take me. We both jolted and abruptly stopped kissing when we heard a loud Beep from a truck outside and Goofy started barking. Napatingin kami ni Xi sa isa't-isa at natawa.
Tadhana na ata mismo ang pumipigil na may mangyari sa amin.
"Did we just made out?" Namula ang mukha ko sa tanong niya.
"Yes?" Di siguradong sagot ko.
"Seems like fate doesn't want me to have until the wedding, have you notice it?"
Tama siya, laging ganun ang nangyayari.
"Let's keep it 'til we' re married then," sabi niya.
Tumango ako. Muli akong umupo, kept quiet curled my hand in his arms and put my head on his shoulders.
"But I won't stop making out with you," habol niya.
"Impakto ka!" Palo ko sa braso niya.
I will not forget how we kissed. It made me feel Stranger Things.
< End of Chapter fifty-five >