Bay of Strangers (Manila Girls #2)

Kabanata 31

Medyo SPG hehe.

Kabanata 31

Advantage

Pinagmasdan ko si River. I have always been observant of him. I always notice the little things about him. His features-that seemed to be as refined as a sculptor's best piece. From his long curtained jet black hair, his fairly white unblemished skin that's only tainted small moles that scattered across his body like far, distant star. And the one on his cheekbone is my favorite.

"Lei, stop staring... Come on," He chuckled, allowing me to see him pearly white teeth.

"Hmm, I'm not staring."

He fished out his Mond. His long, slender fingers tenderly graze the packaging, as if it were a silk and it's too precious. Tinignan ko ang mga daliri niya sandali bago binalik ang tingin sa mukha niya.

From my view, his ebony eyes are already splitting against the sun's withered and fading hues. His lips welcomed the cigarette stick like an oakwood door, waiting for the arrival of its most precious guest.

I watch the fire from his lighter closely, it dances with the air before it touched the light end of the stick; the gray smoke immediately danced away, bathing him with scent.

He glanced at me and smirked as he let out gray skies from his reddish lips. He looked away and I saw the gratification and pleasure that lingers in his eyes. It's intoxicating, I couldn't help it...

"Gusto mo ba?" Alok niya. His voice-raspy and soothing at the same time.

"Ayaw ko,"

"Sooner or later, you'll try this too."

"Hindi. Ayaw ko..."

"You asked about cigarettes last year."

"Hmm, I got curious."

He nodded, inhaled a few smoke before shutting his eyes as if the pleasure's too overwhelming.

"Kung nagugutom ka na, magluto na tayo." Aniya, nakapikit pa rin.

"Mamaya na..."

"Tititigan mo muna ako?" Minulat niya ang isang mata at ngumisi.

Napailing ako, agad na pinamulahan. Guilty, I rolled my eyes, but wasn't able to speak because he quickly turned his head away and closed his eyes. Umayos siya ng upo at sinandal ang ulo niya sa backrest ng sofa.

It's only a few days before his birthday. I wanted to surprise for him or something. I'm not sure if he'll like it, but maybe he'll appreciate it, right? I also wanted to help him about his family affairs. I know I shouldn't stick my nose on anyone's business but he isn't just anyone.

Kinuha ko ang instax ko at chineck ko maayos ba iyon at may film. Nang makitang maayos naman, tinapat ko iyon kay River at kinuhanan siya ng litrato.

Nakapikit, may sigarilyo sa labi, at bahagyang nakabukaka-para siyang isang wasted musician... Napangiti ako at hinintay ang paglabas ng polaroid.

"Lei," He groaned.

"Hmm?"

"Kinuhanan mo ba ako ng litrato?"

"Oo,"

Tinignan niya ako, pinitik niya ang abo ng sigarilyo sa ibabaw ng ashtray at tumikhim.

"I'm a mess," His voice is strained, it sounded so hot.

We are both a mess.... We're both broken... I hated broken, unsteady, and miserable things before-but right now, I am one of them.

"I don't care," Saad ko at tinignan ang polaroid. "It's pretty. You're pretty,"