Yours to Hold (Louisiana Series #4)

Kabanata 12

12 – Jealous

A ray of sunlight woke me up the next morning. Parang pinupukpok ang ulo ko sa sakit kaya naman hindi ako agad makadilat. Sinapo ko ang noo ko at humikab. I was about to move when I realized I couldn't. Something heavy was on me.

Tuluyan kong idinilat ang mga mata ko. I felt a breathing against my neck, and an arm around my waist. Napalunok ako at pilit na pinroseso ang nangyayari. I frowned and slightly glanced at him.

"Calum?" I whispered.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. I forced myself not to scream. Pilit kong inalala ang mga ginawa ko kagabi. I drank beer, right? Nalasing ba ako? Bakit siya narito? Did I call him? O, talagang dito lang siya natulog nang walang permiso ko?

I gulped hard and tried removing his arm but I couldn't because I felt awkward touching him. Nanindig ang balahibo ko sa nararamdaman kong paghinga niya sa aking leeg. His face was on my neck. Pilit kong winala ang kaba ko at marahang tinusok ang braso ko.

"Calum, we're late."

I still couldn't move. Dumapo ang mga mata ko sa wall clock at nakita ang oras. He's usually at the office during this time. Pumikit ako nang mariin at tinapik ang braso niya upang tuluyang gisingin.

"You're not in your bed, and I am not your pillow." ani ko.

He groaned and buried his face on my neck even more. Nagwala lalo ang puso ko sa kaniyang ginawa. Masyadong malalim ang tulog niya. I know he doesn't sleep like this. Kaonting ingay nga lang sa hallway ay nagigising na siya.

Napalabi ako. "O-okay.."

Muli kong hinawakan ang braso niya upang ialis sa aking baywang. His face was peaceful as he sleep. His lips were parted and his hair was kind of messy like the way it is whenever he leaves his room in the morning. Natigilan ako at pinagmasdan lalo ang mukha niya dahil sa lapit ko. I noticed he has a slit on his left brow. Halata lang kung titignan nang malapitan.

Parang kiniliti ang sikmura ko nang bumaba ang tingin ko sa kaniyang labi. I suddenly remember the day when my father visited the company and I kissed him. Lalo na iyong kahiya-hiya kong pagsasayaw. Pinigil ko ang ngiti ko at bahagyang umiling. My eyes widened when I realized what I'm doing. Agad akong lumayo at tuluyan siyang ginising.

"Calum, we're late!" I shouted.

I pushed him away from me. Agad siyang gulat na dumilat at bumangon nang makita ako sa kama. He looked away as he immediately fix his hair. Hindi nawala ang tingin ko sa bagong gising niyang hitsura na mukhang nahihiyang narito siya sa kuwarto ko.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked when he gazed at me.

Umiwas ako. "I'm not looking."

Umiwas din siya at tahimik na inayos ang unang ginamit. Sinundan ng tingin ko ang kamay niya habang hinihila ang kumot upang ayusin din. He glared at me when he saw me watching him.

"I didn't touch you. Don't worry."

"I don't care. Wala naman iyon sa akin."

Umismid ako at umaktong inaayos na lang din ang kumot. I pressed my lips together and secretly glanced at him. He looked uncomfortable. He cleared his throat before speaking again.

"Dito ako natulog sa gilid. There was space in between us, I assure you."

I nodded. "Alam ko. Ang laki nga ng space. Nagulat nga akong hindi ka nahulog."

"Well, your bed is huge."

Tumango ulit ako at ganoon din siya. Sabay kaming umiwas ng tingin matapos sumang-ayon na malaki nga ang kama. Ngumiwi ako at naiilang na itinuro ang pinto.