Lips That Lie

CHAPTER 15

It was a quiet weekend. Manang Marcia went home to her family while Antonio was at home all day. It was a good opportunity for her mother's plans but she wanted to be true to her promise and leave Antonio alone on his rest days to let him enjoy his free time.

Kaya naman nagpasya siyang manatili na lang sa pool side para simulan ang pagbabasa ng paborito niyang series. Nakadapa siya sa round rattan outdoor bed na may canopy na nakapuwesto sa gilid ng pool. Nalililiman ito ng mga puno kaya kahit pa mataas ang sikat ng araw ay hindi masyadong mainit. Kadalasan naman kasi ay nasa library si Antonio kung hindi man ay lumalabas ito. Last weekend was an exception because of the bad weather but he might have plans to go out today because the sky was clear.

Ilang minuto pa lang sa pagbabasa niya ay biglang lumitaw si Antonio roon. He was casually wearing a black shirt and khaki shorts with his Ipad on one hand. Sinundan niya ito ng tingin habang tuloy-tuloy ang lakad. Nagulat siya nang sumampa rin ito sa kama at pumuwesto sa tabi niya habang prenteng nakasandal sa backrest na napapaligiran ng mga throw pillows. He crossed his legs and started swiping on the screen of his tablet.

Pabaliktad siyang nakadapa sa kama kaya ang mga paa niya ay halos madikit sa gilid ng baywang nito. She was boldly staring at him while contemplating if she will leave him there and choose another place to read or not. Sa huli, pinili niyang hayaan si Antonio sa puwesto na iyon at maghanap na lang ng iba.

Isinara niya ang libro at akmang babangon upang makaalis nang maramdaman ang paghawak ni Antonio sa kanyang bukong-bukong. She looked back at him. Nakatanaw na rin ito sa kanya.

"Where are you going?" he asked with eyebrows raised.

"A-Ahm..." sinubukan niyang maupo at mabilis naman siyang binitawan nito. "S-Sa...library na lang siguro ako magbabasa."

Antonio's expression was serious while looking at her. "Bakit ka aalis? You were fine here a while ago. Dumating lang ako at tumabi sa'yo, aalis ka na?"

"P-Para hindi ka ma-istorbo. Ako na lang sa library—"

"Sinabi ko bang nakaka-istorbo ka?" tinabingi nito ang ulo.

"B-Baka lang gusto mong mapag-isa—"

"Kung gusto kong mapag-isa, I could've went somewhere else in this house, Celine."

Antonio looked offended! Hindi siya makapaniwala! She just want to give him space to enjoy his time pero mukhang siya pa ang masama?

"Baka ikaw? Do you want to be alone?" Antonio asked. "Sige, ako na lang ang aalis."

"H-Hindi!" mabilis niyang pigil dito. This is his own house at ito pa talaga ang lilipat ng puwesto para sa kanya? Ang kapal naman niya!

Napakamot siya ng ulo. Naka-kunot na ang noo ni Antonio sa kanya. She sighed. Bakit ba pinag-aawayan nila ito? Kung ayaw ni Antonio na mapag-isa, 'di huwag! She was just trying to give him space to enjoy his rest day!

"Stay with me," she ordered him.

Antonio relaxed then nodded at her. Dinampot niya ang libro at kumilos para maupo sa tabi nito. She felt him move and then she was immediately enclosed in his arm. Ibinuklat niyang muli ang libro para ipagpatuloy ang pagbabasa ngunit halos wala ring maintindihan doon dahil ang buong sistema ay nakatuon sa presensiya ng lalaking nasa tabi niya.

Ganoon din sa sumunod na araw. This time, she woke up beside Antonio on the couch inside his library where she watched him check some blueprints. Inayos niya ang kumot nila. Kumilos si Antonio nang marahil ay maramdaman din ang paggalaw niya. He pulled her closer to him before closing his eyes again.

"I'll cook our dinner," he said sleepily.

"A-Ako na. Magpahinga ka pa kung gusto mo," kikilos na sana siya para bumangon pero masyadong mabigat ang mga braso ni Antonio na nakayakap sa kanya. "A-Antonio...ang bigat ng braso mo."