Cigarettes after sex—that was the routine. Cavin knew that smoking was bad for his health, but who cares? People die anyway. Why would he restrict himself to something he wanted? Never.
It was three in the morning when Cavin got up, got himself a bottle of beer, went straight to the balcony, and started smoking.
The city lights were still blinding from where he was staying. Dahil nga nakatira si Cavin sa city area kung saan buhay na buhay ang gabi dahil sa kabi-kabilang bar, clubs, at mga lugar na maiingay, hindi na bago ang view sa kaniya.
Cavin just had sex with Missy, one of the hottest cheerleaders of Rhodes University. It took him three weeks to bed the woman. Madalas na isang gabi o araw lang o linggo ang itinatagal, pero medyo nahirapan siya dahil may kaartehan ito.
Hinithit ni Cavin ang sigarilyong hawak bago tinungga ang beer. Gusto na niyang matulog, pero nakahiga pa ang babae sa kama niya at hindi niya gusto ang amoy ng pabango ni Missy. Isang rason kung bakit hindi niya ito hinalikan sa leeg.
Missy's scent was too sweet and it made him dizzy. He even had to take her from behind to stay away from her a bit. He wanted to get laid, he would do something about it.
Sumandal si Cavin at pumikit nang maramdaman ang paghagod ng menthol sa lalamunan niya. Hindi na niya alam ang gagawin sa buhay. He just turned twenty-one yet he could already feel the responsibility of being an only child. He was the only person who would handle Karev Telecommunications owned by his parents.
"Hi."
Nilingon ni Cavin ang pinanggalingan ng boses. Nakatayo si Missy sa gilid ng pinto ng balcony at nakatapis lang ng comforter galing sa kwarto niya.
"Hindi ka na ba matutulog?" tanong ni Cavin at ibinuga ang usok mula sa bibig. "Go, dress up. Ihahatid na rin kita."
Nangunot ang noo ni Missy habang nakatingin kay Cavin. "H-Ha?" gulat na sagot niya.
"I'm bringing you home." Suminghot si Cavin. "Unless gusto mo munang matulog, go ahead. But stay in the guest room."
Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Missy at hindi makapaniwala sa sinasabi ni Cavin. "I t-thought—" She stopped talking when she realized what was happening. "So, it was all about sex?"
Cavin's eyes narrowed and stared at Missy. "What do you think this is?"
"You pursued me for weeks. I thought you were actually serious about dating!" singhal ni Missy. "Seriously, Cavin? You're kidding, right?"
"Women." Tumayo si Cavin at hinarap si Missy. "Are you hungry? Do you want some coffee? Magluluto ako. But take a bath. Your perfume is too intense. Ang sakit sa ilong."
Hindi makapaniwala si Missy sa narinig at kaagad na tinalikuran si Cavin. She gave the man the benefit of the doubt since he had been pursuing her for weeks. Kahit na naririnig niya ang pagiging fuck boy nito, sinubukan niya. Turned out, what other people were saying was true. It was all about the sex.
Naghanap si Cavin ng puwedeng lutuin. Every week naman ang replenish ng stock niya sa condo galing sa mga magulang niya. Every other day naman ang paglilinis at halos buwan-buwang mayroong general cleaning.
Marunong magluto si Cavin dahil ayaw niyang kumakain ng takeouts. Mas gusto niyang siya mismo ang magluluto ng sariling pagkain o hindi naman kaya ay galing sa personal chef ng pamilya nila.
Rice, Spam, fried eggs, and mushroom soup. Iyan ang iniluto ni Cavin habang nanonood si Missy. Naka-black sweatpants lang din si Cavin at naka-topless habang nagluluto.
No wonder women were swooning over this man, Missy thought.
Cavin was tall, fit, and was known for having a charming smile. The lines on the side of his lips when smiling, those pearly white, perfect teeth, with his glistening eyes, alam ni Missy na para siyang dumikit sa demonyong guwapo.
