Flames and Vengeance (South Series # 1) COMPLETED- To be published

Chapter 10

As planned, after my last exam we immediately drove to Batangas. Naunang natapos 'yong exams n'ya, so the remaining days na ako ang nag-eexam, he helped me review. 

There were instances that he can make me blankly stare at him, I admit he's not just those frat boys na mukha lang ang meron at umaasa sa ambag ng dating mga exams, he's really smart. Even with the way he highlight infos, color coded siya.

At first, natawa pa ako. I just used red ballpen to line important infos, though halos hindi ko ma-distinguish ano importante sa hindi. Siya hindi, from ruling to different facts iba-iba kulay niya.

He told me before he thinks it's a waste of time, pero noong ginawa daw niya mas madali niyang natatandaan. I planned to use his technique on my next readings.

Sa pagod natulugan ko siya sa kotse. The last time I remembered he's telling me about the getaway of my sister and Kuya Miggy in Palawan, pero mabilis lang daw 'yon kasi kailangan bumalik ni Kuya Miggy sa US, naaksidente ata kasi ang lolo nila.

"Baby, wake up. We're here," he murmured against my neck. 

"Hmm?"

He chuckled. "Stop moaning, seriously."

Inirapan ko s'ya. Nag-unat lang e. Kinuha niya ang mga gamit namin sa likod ng kotse. I just waited in the corner. The rest house was different from the usual place I stayed with my friends. Cabin-like ang design ng bahay. It has also an overlooking view of taal, it would be nice, swimming while while watching the gentle setting of the sun, kaso gabi na kami nakarating.

Sinundan niya ang bawat kilos ko, I checked all the room, may tatlo naman. But, only one has a cover and comforter. I lighted the fire place, medyo malamig kasi umuulan din, what a perfect place for those horror crimes.

"Isa lang pinalagyan mo ng bedsheet? Saan ako?" Pang-aasar ko no'ng sinundan ko siyang umupo sa couch.

He weighed my stares, analyzing if I'm only joking. "Seryoso ka? Magkatabi naman na tayo natutulog."

I wanted to annoy him more, he's more handsome when he double thinks. "Mag-video call kami nila Riley later, 'tsaka ang ibang friends ko." 

Kumunot lalo ang noo niya. "Okay, lagyan ko na lang ng sheet ang isa mamaya. Doon na lang ako. Sana friends mo sinama mo dito kung gano'n."

"You didn't offer, though," I pushed further.

"Text them, pasunurin mo. Uwi ako pagdating nila," sagot niya.

"Really? I'll tell Riley later. Si Xandro ba tapos na mag-exam?"

"Malay ko. Tanong ko." Sagot n'ya sabay irap, pero hindi niya pinakita sa akin. Nagpipigil ako ng tawa sa itsura n'ya. I was never this mapang-asar, pero natutuwa akong naiinis siya minsan. Minsan kahit si Riley nagugulat sa akin. Calix definitely uncage the hidden things about me. He never changed me, but he helped me discover things.

I guess it's true, the length of the relationship will never be a definer of what love is or if you really love someone. He showed me how I should be treated or loved, walang palya ang mga ginagawa niya.

Almost everyday, he'll give me flowers or write me words of affirmation on a sticky note. Minsan nasa cellphone ko, sa bathroom, sa vanity mirror ko, sa ref or minsan sa bag ko. Madalas nakalagay sa codals ko at iba pang mga libro.

"I love you," I said. Tinignan niya ako agad, kanina may patampal-tampal pa siya sa throw pillow.

"I love you, too, baby." He uttered then pulled me closer. Umupo ako sa lap niya. Mabilis naman niyang pinulupot ang mga kamay niya sa bewang ko. He then rested his chin on my shoulder.