Scandalous Affair: Atlas Mate

08

O L I V I A   V A L E Z

There goes a saying that sometimes we create our heartbreaks through expectation. And I can say that it's true. Maybe, at the back of all the hate and annoyance, I felt for Mr. Atlas Mate, I actually think highly of him. I wouldn't think of something great when he said he would let me see something awesome.  I honestly thought Atlas would let me see some of his work. He was a well-known architect! Of course, his work will be awesome!

The mighty sun is standing proudly at the top of soft-looking clouds. It's radiating hellish heat that would make a person sweat without even blinking. I frown as I looked at the thing in front of me. The body of it was shining when the rays of the sun hit it. It was almost blinding. Atlas let go of my hands, and unconsciously my hand moved a little forward to reach his once again. But he was too fast on walking ahead. He faced me and positioned his hands like he was presenting a magnificent thing at the circus. 

"Presenting my Love!" 

Atlas Mate's smile was the most blinding more than the sun, and the motorcycle in front of me that he called Love. To be honest, the motorbike looked gorgeous. It was obviously a good fit for him. The motorcycle's color scheme was playing on black and silver—this type of motorbike I've seen in movies like Ghost Rider and a few mafia flicks. I wouldn't say I like motorcycles since they have a high risk of being involved in an accident. But I cannot deny the silver gears glistening like ice, and the black body of it looked like the night sky on rainy days, was to die for. Imagine Atlas Mate with his long untamed hair and ripped fucking jeans riding that thing. O, God! 

Wait, did he just called his motorbike Love?  Like the name I gave my violin too? What a coincidence! Common ba ang pangalang Love? Or was it a pure coincidence? Nonetheless, what a big surprise that we both named our favorite thing Love. 

"That's Love? And this is awesome?" I said as my brows were about to meet.

He rolled his eyes and said, "Kids."

"Hey, I heard you!"

"It was meant to be heard, Little Girl." then he smirked at me.

Atlas offered his hand to me, and I gladly took it, but before I did—I gave him my famous sweet fake smile, then I rolled my eyes at him. He just chuckled at what I did and guided me to his Love. 

"Love is a 1940 Harley-Davidson knucklehead model."

"How come Love is here in the Philippines?" 

He looked at me with a glint of happiness in his eyes, "She actually came here before I even set my foot here." Then he ruffled my hair.

Napaawang nang bahagya ang aking labi nang makita ang saya sa kaniyang mga mata. The happiness in his eyes was genuine, and not like before that has an arrogance in it. Nang mapansing medyo napasasarap na siya kagugulo ng aking buhok, ay agad kong itinabig ang kaniyang kamay. 

"So you are telling me na nauna pa sayo si Love?"

Tumango lamang siya sa akin, at may kinuha sa gilid. Inabutan niya ako ng helmet na siyang malugod kong kinuha sa kamay niya. Pero hangang doon lang ang nagawa ko— kuhanin at tignan. Hindi naman siguro kailangan pang gamitin ang utak sa paglalagay nito hindi ba? I started putting on the helmet to my head, but it was so loose. At iyon ang hindi ko alam kung paano gawin. I never ride a motorcycle in my almost seventeen years of existence on earth.

Itinaas ko ang shield nito, at muntik ko nang ibaba ang tinted shield pabalik nang makita kong pinapanood ako ni Atlas. He took an inch forward with a smirk in his lips. Hinawakan niya ang kamay kong nakahawak sa lock ng helmet, at unti-unting inalis iyon sa marahang paraan.