DAUNTLESS SERIES: II (BAD AND MESSY)

Chapter Thirteen

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Obviously, there was a mutual physical attraction between them but that was all. Two months of being exclusive...she would be his bed partner for two months.

But wait...

How come na virgin pa rin si Nikkos? 'Yon ang labis na nagpagulo sa isip ni Zafiyah. Nilayo niya ang mukha at kunot noo na kumalas sa binata.

Iritado siyang tinitigan ni Nikkos. "What's your problem? I thought we already had an agreement."

"Bakit virgin ka pa?"

Natigilan ito ngunit muli ring bumakas sa mukha ang iritasiyon. "Tinanong ba kita kung bakit ikaw, virgin pa rin? Let's have some privacy here." Malamig na turan nito.

Hindi siya natinag. Hinagod niya ito ng tingin. Hindi pa rin makapaniwala. "I know you lived abroad and you've been with your girlfriend for years now. Why, Nikkos?"

Iritadong-iritado na ito. Masama ang tingin sakaniya. Kuyom ang mga palad at nagtatagis ang mga bagang. "Is it really so surprising?"

"Of course it's surprising. Gano'n ba ka-strict ang parents mo? Or are you a strict Christian believer?"

He absentmindedly looked around, then, shot her an annoyed glance. "I am protecting my family name. I don't want to attract rumors and scandals. And Sofie, we decided to wait until marriage. Our families are both devout Catholics. Now, is that enough?"

Zafiyah crossed her arms. Pupuwede naman ni Nikkos na gawin 'yon ng patago. Sa dami ng pera nito, kaya nitong patahimikin ang kahit na sinong babaeng mai-involve rito. At hindi rin naman lahat ng deboto ng simbahang Katoliko, gano'n kasanto. But then, that was his life. At kung tingin nito do'n ito mas safe, fine. Nashock lang talaga siya sa nalaman. Haller? Nicholai Shawn Aboitiz, twenty-seven, a super gorgeous man who seemed like a Norse god, full blooded male, girls had been chasing him since his birthsuit, had a long time girlfriend but still a virgin? Wow. Paano natitiis ng girlfriend nito ang ganito ka-hot na lalaki?

Natiis mo nga siya, girl, 'di ba?

No. Iba siya. Umpisa pa lang, alam niyang malabong maging sila ni Nikkos pero alam niya sa sarili niya na noon pa lang, may kakaiba ng hatak sakaniya ang binata. Marunong lang siyang ilugar ang nararamdaman.

Zafiyah was not your normal girl. She was one of those girl who had been single for too long. She was hardest to love. She had become so used to being single, independent, and self-sufficient that it would take something extraordinary to convince her that she needed a man in her life. Kaya nga siya NBSB hanggang ngayon. Malakas ang self-control niya na kung hindi niya lang kaylangan ng agarang pera, kaya niya pa ring tiisin si Nikkos. Gano'n niya nasanay ang sarili niya.

Okay lang na maging late bloomer siya. Walang kaso 'yon sa mga babae. No one would question them why. Ayos lang na manatiling virgin ang babae kahit umabot pa 'to ng fifties. It was even considered desirable. It was considered innocent and pure. One of the qualities that were pleasing to know. Like that piece of membrane between a woman's thighs was a huge prize. But men? Napailing siya. The society would judge you and laugh at you. Sexist? Absolutely, baby. That was the fucking reality.

Masyadong late bloomer si Nikkos. There was something wrong. She felt it.

"Rebel mode ba ang peg mo, Nikkos?"