Chapter 17

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Chapter 17

Ilang minuto kaming nanatili sa gano'ng posisyon. Tahimik at tanging paghinga lamang ang naririnig.

Slowly, he pulled away and stared at me. Hindi ako makatingin ng diretso kaya naman ay sa dibdib niya ako tumitig. I heard him breath deeply.

"Where's my necklace?" He asked calmly.

Kinagat ko ang labi at ngumuso. Hindi malaman kung paano sasagutin ang tanong niya. Tumikhim ako nang maramdaman ang pagdiin ng kamay niya sa aking baywang. Nag-angat ako ng tingin at nahagip ang pagtataas niya ng kilay sa akin pero may ngisi sa labi. Umirap ako.

"I got angry..." I trailed off just to save my face.

He licked his lips and threw his head back, looking so pleased. Umirap ako at kinunotan siya ng noo.

"I want it back. And don't you ever take it off again." He said.

Hindi ko siya sinagot at bahagya siyang itinulak dahil halos dumagan na siya sa akin, hindi nakakatulong na nakaheels pa ako. Umayos siya sa pagkakatayo pero hindi tinanggal ang yakap sa baywang ko.

"I'm sorry if I punched Mike." He said softly.

"Ang bilis mong magselos at magalit! Hindi 'yon maganda." Mariin kong sinabi.

"Then do something to calm me down." He said seriously.

Tinitigan ko siya. He stared back at me deeply.

"Tss." Umirap ako.

Wala akong nagawa nang muli siyang sumiksik sa leeg ko. Mahina kong hinampas ang balikat niya. Humawak ako muli sa kaniyang baywang.

"Ano ba, Olzen! Hindi ako makahinga!" I said.

He breathed on my neck and loosen his embrace but still, he's hugging me tight. Contradicting but that's how is it.

"Please, don't drop me off like that again. I'd feel bloody shit inside if you do it again." Aniya.

Suminghap ako at kinagat ang labi. Hinaplos ng sakit ang aking puso. The pain in his voice made me guilty.

"I'm sorry..." mahina kong sinabi.

"It scares me every damn time, Era. But I will understand, because I don't want to lose you. Maghihintay ako at mas iintindihin ko pa. I'm not giving up anytime soon." Marahan niyang sinabi.

Pakiramdam ko punong puno ang puso ko sa sinabi niya. Dumiin ang yakap niya sa akin bago ako pinakawalan.

Kaya naman nang biglang bumukas ang pintuan ay hindi kami agad nakagalaw. Hindi ko pa naitutulak palayo si Olzen nang sumungaw na si Zaira sa pintuan.

My eyes widened a bit when I saw her. My sudden panic turned into embarrassment especially when I saw how shocked she was when she saw us. Hindi man lang gumawa ng aksyon si Olzen para tanggalin ang kamay niya sa aking baywang. Napatuwid ako ng tayo at bahagya siyang itinulak.

"I'm sorry! S-sorry..." hinging paumanhin ni Zaira bago muling isinara ang pintuan.

I puffed a breath before I glared at Olzen. Hindi naman ako natatakot na baka may makakita sa aming dalawa pero hindi kaaya-aya ang sitwasyon namin ngayon. Paano na lang kung guro ang nakakita no'n? And what would they think especially that we're in a close room like this? Goodness!

"I want us to talk more but not here. Come on, let's go home." Olzen said and held my hand.

Huminga ako ng malalim at hinayaan siyang hilain ako ng marahan. I feel drained but my heart is so full. Pagkalabas namin ay medyo madilim na at wala na rin do'n si Zaira. Marahang dumantay ang kamay ni Olzen sa likod ko habang naglalakad kami.

Pinagbuksan niya ako ng pintuan sa shotgun seat. Tahimik akong pumasok. I held a deep breath when he put the seatbelt on me. Nagkatinginan kami pagkatapos niya ro'n. He smiled inwardly and I can't help but to sulk.

"How about Kruise?" I asked.

"Nauna na. Sumabay kay James." He said.

I nodded and let him close the door. Tahimik ang daan pauwi maliban sa malamyos na musika sa loob ng sasakyan.

"May gagawin ka ba bukas?" He asked after a long stretch of silence.

Ngumuso ako at inisip kung may take home activities ba na binigay. Inayos ko ang buhok at nilingon siya.

"Wala naman. Why?"

He cleared his throat and took a deep breath.

"I wanna take you somewhere. Can I?" He asked softly.

"Saan?"

"Our place..."

Kinagat ko ang labi sa sagot niya. Alam ko kung anong tinutukoy niya. I swallowed and nodded.

"O-okay... anong oras?" I asked.

"Susunduin kita ng alas kwatro." He said.

"Sige."

Palapit na kami sa bahay nang mapansin ko kung sinong nakatayo sa harap ng gate namin. It was Papa! Nalingunan niya ang paparating na sasakyan at batid ko ang pagkunot ng kaniyang noo. Sinulyapan ako ni Olzen nang tumigil ang sasakyan sa harap ni Papa.

Mabilis kong kinalas ang seatbelt at nilingon muna si Olzen bago lumabas ng sasakyan. Kumunot ang noo ni Papa nang makita niya ako. Lumapit ako sa kaniya at nagmano. Narinig ko ang pagkalabog ng sasakyan, hudyat na lumabas din si Olzen.

Seryoso siya ng umikot upang lapitan kami. I suddenly felt nervous inside. Alam kong hindi bago kay Papa na makita kaming dalawa ni Olzen na magkasama. He never asked but I feel like he knows something. At ngayong parang seryoso siya habang pinapanood kami ay hindi ko maiwasang kabahan.

"Good evening po, Tito. Hinatid ko lang po si Era." Magalang niyang sinabi.

Sinulyapan ako ni Olzen. Bahagyang tumaas ang kilay niya dahil sa pag-iiwas ko ng tingin.

"Gano'n ba? Maraming salamat at mag-ingat ka pauwi." Tumango si Papa at nilingon ako.

Tumikhim ako nang akala ko'y aalis na si Olzen pero nanatili siya sa harap namin ni Papa. He cleared his throat and glanced at my father.

"Maaari po bang ayain si Era na lumabas bukas, Tito?"

My eyes widened at his question. Seryoso siya at nang nilingon ko si Papa ay seryoso na rin ang tingin niya kay Olzen. Kagat ang labi'y napayuko ako, hindi ako makahinga ng maayos habang hinihintay ang sagot ni Papa.

"Nililigawan mo ba ang anak ko, Olzen?" My father asked in all seriousness.

Mabilis na umangat ang tingin ko kay Papa na hindi tinatanggal ang tingin kay Olzen. I glanced at Olzen who doesn't look bothered. He was serious and composed. My heart was throbbing while waiting for his answer.

Olzen glanced at me for a second. He was stifling a smile when he saw my expression. I couldn't help but to give him a sharp glare.

You brute, you are in front of my father. You better behave if you want to be in his good side! Wow! And now I'm even cheering for him, huh?

"Opo, Tito." He said and met my father's serious gaze.

Halos atakihin ako sa puso nang magtaas ng kilay si Papa at mas lalong nagseryoso. He doesn't seem angry to me and that scares me even more!

"Pero bawal pang mag-boyfriend si Era, Olzen." My father emphasized.

Kinagat ko ang labi at napayuko. I know that of course.

"Hindi naman ako nagmamadali, Tito. Alam ko pong mas importante ang pag-aaral niya. At maghihintay po ako hanggang pwede na."

Nanikip ang aking dibdib sa sagot ni Olzen. Our eyes met when I looked up to him. He smiled warmly at me, like an assurance. And just like that, all my doubts vanished like a magic.

My heart skipped a beat when I heard my father chuckled. Tumango siya kay Olzen at inakbayan ako. I frowned a bit at my father's reaction.

"I'm glad to hear that, Olzen. Kung gano'n, sige, you can take my daughter in a date tomorrow but make sure to take care of her." He said like a command.

"Pa..." saway ko.

Date ba 'yon? Hindi naman, ah.

"Maraming salamat, Tito." Olzen replied and produced a proud smirk at me.

That night, I slept peacefully. Olzen let me rest early because I mentioned that I feel so drained after the first week. My heart was in peace, especially that we have my father's permission now. The serenity I felt was very different from the ones before. It felt good and calming.

Kinabukasan ay nagising ako na wala na si Papa. Pumasok na ito sa trabaho. Si Manang Nona at Lola lamang ang nadatnan ko sa may sala. I greeted the both of them and went to the dining area to have my breakfast.

Hanggang maghapon ay ginugol ko ang oras sa pagbabasa, pero tumitigil din saglit upang mag-reply kay Olzen. Hinayaan niya akong magbasa at pinaalala ang pagsundo niya sa akin mamayang hapon.

I thought of wearing a dress but when I remember the place, I chose a more applicable one. Isang high waist na jeans at isang dark yellow na blouse ang isinuot ko. I tied my hair too. Nang matapos sa pag-aayos ay tiningan ko ang oras sa relo. Saktong alas-kwatro na.

Hindi ko mapigilan ang gulat nang madatnan si Olzen sa may sala, pagkababa ko. Nakikipagkwentuhan siya kay Lola at nang magawi ang tingin sa akin ay natigilan siya. Tumikhim ako at inangat ang isang kilay.

Slowly, the sides of his lips lifted for a smirk especially when his eyes landed on my neck. Suminghap ako at kalmadong naglakad palapit sa sofa na inuupuan nila. Lola's smile widened when she saw me.

"Nariya'n na pala si Era, Olzen. " Ngumiti si Lola.

Tumayo si Olzen at lumapit sa akin. The silly smile is still plastered on his face. Hindi ko magawang pigilan ang sarili sa pagsiyasat sa kaniya. He's wearing a simple white printed shirt and a dark gray short.

His new haircut really fits him. He looks more playful than serious. But every time he smiles or smirk, he just gets more annoyingly handsome!

"Nagpaalam na ako." Aniya nang makalapit sa akin.

Huminga ako ng malalim at iniwas ang tingin sa nakakasilaw niyang ngiti. Sumulyap ako kay Lola na nakangiting pinapanood kami.

"Lola, lalabas po kami Olzen. Nagpaalam na po kami kay Papa, kahapon." I said.

"Nasabi nga ni Olzen na may date kayo," humagikhik si Lola.

Umawang ang aking labi at mabilis na nilingon si Olzen. His lips protruded, trying to prevent another playful but gorgeous smile. Masama ko siyang tiningnan pero hindi magawang tuluyan na maasar sa kaniya. He's just so fine-looking!

"O siya at baka mahuli pa kayo sa date niyo. Olzen, ingatan mo itong Apo ko, ha." Malambing na sinabi ni Lola.

I can't help but to smile while looking at my grandmother. Nagpaalam kami sa kaniya at lumabas na ng bahay. Nang nasa sasakyan na ay naagaw ng pansin ko ang mga gamit sa likuran.

I saw a food basket with fruits and foods. A blue picnic blanket. Utensils and drinks. My lips parted when I glanced at Olzen who's focused on the road.

"Olzen, para saan 'to? Magpi-picnic ba tayo?"

Hindi siya sumagot at ngumiti lang sa akin. Ngumuso ako at muling sumulyap sa likod. I can't help but to nibble my lower lip while thinking that he earnestly prepared for this.

Sabay kaming lumabas sa sasakyan pagkatapos niya itong iparada malapit sa daan pabalik ng syudad. Suminghap ako nang sa muli'y nabihag ng tanawin ang aking mga mata. Halos isang buwan din kaming hindi bumisita ni Olzen dito.

"Tulungan na kita," I said when I saw him bringing out the things from the passenger's seat.

Pinanood ko siyang naglakad papunta sa bahaging hindi sakop ng araw at hindi mabato. Bitbit ko ang isa pang food basket at nasa kaniya na lahat. Nilapag niya ang mga dala. He unfolded the picnic blanket and put it neatly on top of the sand. So we're really having a picnic, huh?

I can't help but to smile while watching him seriously set up the things. Nang matapos siya'y nilingon niya ako.I raised my brow for a silent query.

"Come here," he said softly.

I sauntered towards him and put down the food basket near the other things he brought. The picnic blanket is wide and comfy. Umupo ako ro'n habang inililibot ang paningin sa paligid. Nothing changed, it still looks like a paradise to me.

Natigil ang panonood ko nang tumabi siya sa akin. I folded my knees after putting down my sling bag. Itinabi niya rito ang cellphone at wallet niya.

"Sana nagsabi ka na may picnic tayo at nagdala ako ng sunglass," marahan akong tumawa.

He smirked and glanced at the sun that is starting to set. Sa ibang bahagi ay sobrang maliwanag at mainit pa habang kung saan kami nakapwesto ay katamtaman lamang. We don't need an umbrella anymore to cover us because the thick clouds above us are enough.

"That's why I chose this time of the day so we won't need it anymore." He said.

He started opening the food basket. Wala akong ginawa kundi panoorin lamang siya. Hindi ako makahinga habang pinapanood siyang sobrang lapit sa akin.

Ang pintig ng puso ko'y parang musikang sumasaboy sa agos ng ilog. Kalmado pero malakas at malalim ang pinanghuhugutan.

Mula sa mata, pababa sa ilong at patungo sa labi. Kahit maliliit na detalye'y hindi ko pinalampas. He looks rough, just like a typical bad boy but what makes him difference is his soft features, especially his eyes.

Oh, his eyes... I would trade anything just to have those.

"No wonder why some go crazy over you..." I murmured.

Nag-angat siya ng tingin at mapupungay ang matang tumitig sa akin.

"Hmmm?"

"Wala." Mahina akong tumawa.

My lips parted when I saw what kind of foods he brought. There are finger foods, sliced fruits, sandwiches, hot dog wraps, and even pizza! My mouth watered when I saw my favorite chocolates. I glimpsed at him and saw him smiled at my reaction.

"Mauubos ba natin lahat 'to?"

"Sa tingin ko nga kulang pa," he scratched his eyebrow.

Tumawa ako at umiling. Nababaliw na ba siya? Sobrang dami na nito!

"You're crazy. This is too much for the two of us," I said.

I started fixing the plates. He brought out the drinks which I think are fruit juice and sodas. I placed them in front of us. Mabuti na lang at hindi ako kumain kaninang tanghali kaya naman maari akong kumain ng marami ngayon.

"You eat a lot but you're body is still the same." Kumento niya.

"You really pay attention to that, huh?" Nagtaas ako ng kilay.

He just shrugged. He let me utter a little prayer before we started filling our plates.

"Si Kruise?"

"I don't know. Pumunta siya ng skul kanina dahil may gagawin daw sila."

Nilagyan niya ng sliced pears ang plato ko. I started eating a little.

"Maglalaro ka ba sa foundation?" Tanong ko nang maalalang next month na nga pala ang foundation namin.

Sumulyap siya sa akin at kinagat ang labi.

"You're going to watch?"

Ngumuso ako dahil alam ko na ang gusto niya. Hindi ako nanood ng kahit na anong games last year. I just heard that their department got the first runner up. Natalo sila ng High School which is a little bit funny.

"Natalo kayo ng High School no'ng last, 'di ba?" Pinigilan kong ngumiti.

Nagtaas siya ng kilay at bumaling sa harap namin.

"Well, if you heard, I didn't play during the championship. Kung naro'n ako..." he trailed off.

Pinigilan kong tumawa pero hindi ko kinaya kaya naman ay seryoso siyang tumingin sa akin. Still that chesty Oliver Blazen, huh?

"What? Totoo naman, ah. Sige, maglalaro ako kung manonood ka. Those high school or even the other departments won't be lucky this year." Seryoso niyang sinabi.

"At kung hindi ako manonood?" Nagtaas ako ng kilay.

Ikiniling niya ang ulo at bahagyang umigting ang kaniyang panga. Kumunot ang noo niya at umiwas ng tingin. May pagtatampo sa mga mata.

"Then I won't play. Game over." He said coldly.

I couldn't help but to smirk at his cold and surly expression. Magpasalamat siya na kahit gano'n ay gwapo pa rin siya ha!

"Manonood ako but I won't cheer." I bargained.

He glanced at me, still cold but obviously grinning inwardly. Inangat ko muli ang kilay sa kaniya.

"Sounds good to me. Pumili ka ng pwesto kung saan madali kitang makikita." He negotiated.

Ngumisi na lang ako at umiling. He grinned sharply at me too, like a warning to fulfill what I said. Why are we even talking about this when it's still a month from now?

I let him pour me a drink. Iyong fruit juice ang sa akin habang sa kaniya'y soda. Itinabi namin ang mga platong nagamit at pizza naman ngayon ang kinakain ako. We were silent while watching what's in front of us.

Cagayan river looks calm as it flows down. The whole place is silent aside from distant sound of vehicles from afar.

Ang mga sumasayaw na talahib sa malayo ay parang mga batang makukulit. Ang mga dagat ng ulap ay nagsisilbing proteksyon araw. Ang araw na unti-unting humahalik sa mga bundok ay parang senyales ng magandang pagtatapos.

Everything is peaceful and serene. It makes me want to stay here forever.

I glanced at Olzen and my breathing hitched when I saw him staring at me. He slowly smiled when he realized that I stared back at him.

"All these beautiful sceneries yet I can't take my eyes off you." He said huskily.

Marahan akong pumikit bago nagmulat. Para akong tinatangay sa lalim ng kaniyang tingin. Dinuduyan ang puso ko sa bawat salitang namumutawi sa kaniyang bibig.

How can someone make you feel like this? That everything is enough and perfect?

I smiled and looked away to calm my heart. There is really no possible way to pull myself out of this place.

"Olzen... what was she like? Your twin?" Suminghap ako at nilingon siya.

Nagkatitigan kaming muli. His lips twitched and he looked away. He sipped on his drink and sighed. Akala ko'y hindi niya sasagutin kaya naman umiwas din ako ng tingin. It's fine with me if he doesn't want to talk about it.

"I'm three minutes older than her. Pero sa totoo lang para siya pa itong mas matanda sa aming dalawa..." he chuckled deeply.

Napalingon ako sa kaniya. Kalmado siyang nagmamasid sa tanawin habang nagsasalita.

"She's beautiful and sweet. Naasar ako sa kaniya no'ng mga bata kami. Palagi niya akong sinasamahan kapag nakikipaglaro ako sa mga kaibigan ko. Ayoko siyang sumasama dahil nagagandahan sa kaniya ang mga kalaro ko. One time, she cried because I scolded her in front of my friends. I felt so bad inside but still she apologized to me first." Umiling siya, may maliit na ngiti sa labi.

Tinitigan ko ang nakatigilid niyang mukha. Nanikip ang dibdib ko pero kalaunan din ay ngumiti na lamang. He looks peaceful and that's already fine for me.

"You've been a good brother, Olzen. And you're protective of Kruise. You're sweet too. Kahit na palagi niyang sinasabi na naasar siya sayo dahil sa mga ginagawa mo, I know she loves you so much." I smiled.

I saw his lips lifted for a smile. He took a deep breath and raked a hand through his hair. His hair fell loosely over his forehead.

"Kung pwede lang pigilan muna ang pag-agos ng tubig," aniya habang nakatitig sa ilog.

"Why would you do that?" I asked softly.

Nilingon niya ako at ang pagseseryoso ay hindi maikukubli.

"I want to stay here with you for a long... long time. Have small talks like these. I wanna stare at you while you're smiling and stay this close to you forever." Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga.

Itinukod niya ang kamay sa aking likuran, ang kalahati ng katawan ay nakaharap sa akin. Bahagya siyang yumuko para magpantay ang mga mata namin. Suminghap ako sa sobrang lapit naming dalawa.

"Then let's pray that the time will stop..." I whispered... almost like a prayer.

His eyes closed for a moment the he smiled a little. He opened his eyes and they look wistful. Bumagsak ang tingin ko sa kaniyang mga labi. He licked it when he saw my eyes dropped.

Ang tanging panalangin ko lamang ay sana huwag niyang marinig ang halos sumisigaw na pintig ng puso ko.

"I'll kiss you." He whispered.

Nanghihina kong sinalubong ang kaniyang mga mata. Halos hindi ako makahinga nang unti-unting lumapit ang kaniyang mukha. My heart was pounding aggressively. Slowly, I closed my eyes and waited for the magic to happen.

And it did.

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