Game of Fate: Love 'n tears

Chapter 3

Palihim na pinagmasdan ni Mika ang mukha ng binata habang seryoso nitong nililinis ang sugat niya sa pisngi. Gusto niya sana itong pigilan but the view she's facing right now is too perfect.

Ngayon lang niya napansin, ang haba ng pilik-mata ng binata, ang kapal din ng kilay. Bagay na bagay sa kulay brown nitong mata. Even his nose is more pointed than hers.  

Can't believe this man has a perfect face, she can't even spot a single pores or pimples. She wonders what kind product he use? Sayang, he's too dull. Or else she would have asked him to be her boyfriend next week.

''Keep it dry for three days. Make sure to change the dressing.''  
Tumango lang siya at sumandal sa sofa. 

Pinanood lang niya ang binata habang ibinalik nito sa first-aid kit box ang mga ginamit nito. He even wiped the blood in the glass table at tinapon sa trash can ang mga cotton na napuno ng dugo.
His hands moves too gentle. Talagang sinigurado nito na walang matitirang mantsa ng dugo sa mesa. Clean freak.

''Hey, is he always like that?'' tanong niya sa kasama nito sabay turo kay Cassidy using her chin.

Hindi ito sumagot. Nanatili lang itong nakayuko. Ni-hindi man lang nito tinanggal ang suot nitong facemask. Para tuloy siyang may nakakahawang sakit.

''Okay. That's enough. You don't have to clean my house just to persuade me,'' saway niya dito.

Mukha kasi itong walang balak tumigil. Baka pati ang mga damit niya na nagkalat sa sahig ay labhan na 'rin ng binata. Well, hindi naman ganito palagi kakalat ang bahay niya. Sadyang wala pa lang siya sa mood maglinis. 

''You're Jia's cousin. So, are you also a doctor?''
Nagsalin siya ng tubig sa baso at uminom.

''No, I ran a shop,'' tipid nitong sagot at umupo sa tabi ng kasama nitong lalaki.

''Shop? What shop?''

''Violin.'' Muntik na niyang maibuga ang ininom niyang tubig sa gulat dahil sa sinabi nito.

''Violin? You're a violin maker?'' Pinasadahan niya ito ng tingin.
She thought, he's a doctor or a teacher. She didn't expect, he's a violin maker. Sabagay, he look just like a wood. Boring. Lifeless. But he's kinda interesting.

''I'm sure your shop can makes a lot of money. Why do you need to live with me?''

''It does pero hindi ako ang nangangailangan ng matutuluyan. It's him,'' sabay turo nito sa katabi'ng lalaki na nanatili pa 'ring walang-kibo.

''Anong ibig mong sabihin? It's not you, but him?'' pasigaw niyang tanong. 

''Then, since you have a house why don't you just let him live with you? Why do you still need to..''

''It's inconvenient.''

''Inconvenient?'' Hindi maiwasang mapatawa ni Mika ng pagak.

''And you think it's convenient for me?'' bakas ang sarcastic sa boses niya.

''That's not what i mean. Ang ibig kong sabihin--''

''Okay. I get it. So, who is he? Your secret lover?'' pabiro niyang tanong. Bigla naman nagbago ang expression ni Cassidy.

''He's a friend. Overall, he just need to live here. Ako ng bahala sa mga pagkain niya at gastusin. You don't need to worry.'' 

Hindi alam ni Mika kung matatawa ba siya o hindi. The looks on his face is too serious. It feels like he's handing his wife to her.

''Okay.''

''Okay? You mean you agree? Akala ko hindi ka papayag-'' she smirked.

''In one condition, you'll need to clean this house every week.''