SN 4: The Law of Lust

15

WAYNE’s POV

            I offered Veronica a seat on one of my couches inside my room, but she's in the mood to be mischievous right now, so instead of relaxing on one of my couches... she took a seat on my lap. Hindi naman ako masyadong nag-react sa bagay na ‘yun dahil we knew each other for a very long time. She's like a younger sister to me , and she also treats me as if I were her older brother, despite the fact that she is an only child. She's 5 years younger than me, by the way.

“What now? Nag away na naman ba kayo ni Tito?” tanong ko sa kaniya. Buti na lang at magaan siya kahit papaano kaya hindi ako umaangal sa pag-upo niya sa may lap ko habang nakayakap pa ang dalawang kamay niya sa leeg ko.

“Nope. She replied, "Dad sent me over to tell you about the charity ball." Because of what she said, I instinctively touched the bridge of my brow. It was almost as if I had forgotten about the charity. "Oh, please don't tell me you forgot?"

She's stating the obvious at this point. “Oh my, buti na lang pala talaga that Daddy sent me here dahil kung hindi, you forgot na naman.” And yeah, that’s the way she talked. Medyo conyo kasi talaga siya but it’s fine. It complements her sweet features and upbeat demeanor.

“Yeah. Thanks to you, kailan nga ba ‘yun?” I asked again.

“This coming Friday and don’t forget to bring a partner, okay? Ayoko namang magmukha kang lonely sa charity ball lalo na at may after party pa ‘yun.” she replied, clearly mocking my single status.  I just nodded as my approval but after that, I asked her again.

“I can bring anyone?” Bago pa man makasagot si Veronica sa naging katanungan ko ay na-interrupt na kami dahil sa sunod-sunod na pagkatok sa labas ng pinto. Siguro, ‘yun na ‘yung snacks na ipinahanda ko kay Manang.
“Come in,” mahinang sagot ko na lang.

Sa pag aakala na si Manang Susan ‘yun  hindi na ako nag abala pa na paalisin si Veronica sa pagkaka-upo niya sa may lap ko. Alam ko naman kasi na alam ni Manang Susan kung gaano kami ka-close ni Veronica to the point na wala ‘yung malisya.

Ngunit nang bumukas na ‘yung pinto, I felt that my soul left my body when my eyes saw Leigh holding the tray.
Siya ang agad na sumalubong sa mga mata ko kaya awtomatiko akong natigilan. Hindi ko alam kung anong ire-react ko lalo na nang mapansin ko na napatingin na siya kay Veronica na ngayon ay nakaupo pa rin sa may kandungan ko at nakayapos pa ang dalawang kamay nito sa leeg ko. I was on the verge of rising from my seat, but I managed to hold myself and avoid doing something dumb in front of her.

I realized, why would I react that way? Is it because she saw us in this situation and position?  Certainly not!  I know, she doesn't seem to mind, does she?

Hindi nagtagal ay tuluyan na siyang nag patuloy sa pagpasok dito sa loob ng kwarto ko. “Ito na po ‘yung snacks niyo,” mahinang saad niya habang inilalapag niya na ‘yung tray sa coffee table ko. Hindi na lang ako umimik pero diretso pa rin na nakatingin ang mga mata ko sa kaniya habang ginagawa niya ‘yun, and I know that Veronica doing the same thing.

Akala ko ay haharap pa siya sa akin para mag paalam pero tuluyan na siyang tumalikod para umalis. Pero noong nakakailang nakakailang hakbang pa lang siya ay bigla namang nagsalita si Veronica kaya naagaw niya ang atensyon ko.

“I didn’t know na may bago ka pa lang yaya dito, Wayne.” she said and I'm sure that Leigh heard it.

Akala ko ay magre-react pa si Leigh sa narinig niya pero katulad nga nang sinabi ko, mukhang wala naman siyang pakialam dahil nagpatuloy lang siya sa paglapit sa may pintuan kaya naman doon na ako nagsalita, “Kararating niya lang kahapon.” I said casually. And then she finally exited my room.