Fit the Puzzle (Azcona Cousins #3)

21

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Chapter 21

"Thank God!"

My cheeks heated. They were both wearing sweaters and baseball caps. Naiba lang si Iverson nang kaunti dahil naka track pants siya at ang kapatid naman niya ang naka shorts lang. No wonder mosquitoes took advantage of his toned legs. Kuya Atlas got red bites. Kinamot niya pa yata kaya mas lalong pumula ang pantal.

He made a disgusted face when his brother tugged my arm and smoothly planted a soft kiss on my temple. I hugged his waist and rested my head on his chest. Iverson snaked his arms around me then kissed the tip of my nose.

"Grabe... sige! Maglandian pa kayo sa harap ko!"

I hear a low chuckle from Iverson. Hinila niya 'ko papunta sa SUV nila. I've already seen his birthday surprise. May cake at bulaklak. But the surprising part was the school supplies! I had a wide grin on my face when I grabbed the pastel pens, sticky notes, stickers, and cute journals.

I could feel my eyes twinkling.

"You like my gift?"

"Of course! Balak ko pa lang bumili ng mga ganito."

Sumagi sa isip ko na naging practical talaga siya. I told countless times that I couldn't accept his expensive gifts. So he must've resorted to buying me practical and useful things.

Narinig ko ang biglaang pagtikhim ni Kuya Atlas sa tabi ko. "Salamat, Kuya Atlas..." umubo siya. "Ako ang naghanap ng mga 'yan," nagpatuloy pa rin siya sa pekeng pag-ubo.

Bumitaw ako kay Iverson para yakapin si Kuya Atlas. Nakita ko agad ag pagsilay ng ngiti sa kanya. Kuya Atlas pinched my cheek. "Hay naku, hipag... disoras na ng gabi at nag-aya pa talaga si Brent na puntahan ka rito. Your birthday is basically happening at this hour, right? Kasi madaling araw na."

"Opo, ngayon talaga ang birthday ko."

Kuya Atlas groaned. "See, Brent? Dapat bukas na lang!"

"But I promised myself that I'd celebrate it with her. My plan was ruined... but it was fine. I still made Croozian happy."

Niyaya ko silang pumasok muna sa apartment. Tutal kanina pa nagrereklamo si Kuya Atlas sa kagat ng mga lamok. Iverson was very clingy. We were sitting next to each other but his arm was modestly circled on my waist. Sa huli, magkadikit na ang upuan namin habang kumakain ng cake. He baked it so I did my very best giving him a positive feedback.

Nawala lang ng saglit si Kuya Atlas sa paningin naming dalawa ay sumimple na agad si Iverson ng isang mababaw na halik. There was never a time that he became so aggressive. Parang lagi niyang nililimitahan ang panggigil niya.

Kaya ako na mismo ang gumagawa ng paraan, I deepened our kiss. I felt him jolt a little as I caged his cheeks with my warm hands. Ang kamay niya ay dumantay sa hita ko. Mahina niyang pinisil iyon bago hinaplos. And the next thing that happened was I found myself sitting on Iverson's lap. His hands traveled on my back to support my weight.

'Di naman ako nahihiyang mas agresibo ako sa kanya.

Bakit? Lalaki lang ba ang may karapatan ng ganoong attribute? Hindi naman, 'di ba?

"Brent uuwi na一" I panicked when I heard Kuya Atlas' voice. "Punyeta respeto naman sa walang fling o girlfriend!"

Iverson mumbled a curse under his breath. He hugged me tight instead of pulling away. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso niya at ang malalim na paghabol sa hininga.

"I'm sorry," he told his brother.

"Know your limits, Brent. Paano na lang kung 'di ko pa naabutan?"