Nights Like This

Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Find

"Sunblock," I said out of the blue. Rex Niccolo and I were watching a movie when I suddenly remembered that he didn't pack some sunblock for their La Union trip tomorrow.

Nabaling ang tingin niya sa akin at may bahid ng pagtatanong.

"What, baby?"

"You forgot to include sunblock in your essentials. You're going to the beach. Kailangan mo 'yon."

I helped him yesterday organize the things he'll bring. I volunteered actually because Rex Niccolo seemed like he didn't want to go. Pinilit ko lang dahil pamilya niya ang kasama at hinahanap na rin siya ng mga pinsan. His reason was he'd just rather spend his time with me than leave. Huwag na raw sa mga pinsan niya dahil lagi naman niyang nakikita tuwing holidays. Obviously, I didn't agree to that because he sees me more often than he sees his cousins.

"And also a lip balm with spf on it. So your lips will be protected from the sun as well," I added.

Nag-iisip na ako kung saan ba makakabili noon. It's already late and he's leaving tomorrow. We had dinner outside a while ago but it didn't cross my mind. Ngayon lang.

"I don't think we can still buy some. I'll just lend you mine. Kukuhanin ko na ngayon." I'm pretty sure I have some that I could give him.

Tatayo na sana ako pero humigpit ang hawak niya sa baywang ko para pigilan ako.

"Do I really need those?" he asked in a lazy tone.

"Yes, you do. Or else your skin will get damaged!"

He laughed at my response. Seryoso naman ako sa sinasabi pero tinatawanan niya lang ako?

"My skin will be fine," he argued.

"Hindi mo alam 'yan."

Tumawa siya ulit at hinila ako papalapit. "Alright. Lend me your lip balm or something. Hihingi na lang ako kay Ali ng sunblock."

"Okay. I'll put it in your things later."

"Thank you," he said and leaned in to kiss my cheek.

"You're welcome."

Binalik ko na ang atensiyon sa pinapanood. Minutes into it and my attention drifted away again.

"Your nails are always so neat but you never drop by a salon..."

He was playing with my hand so I noticed. I really think I'm bad when it comes to watching hour long films. Maikli yata ang attention span ko kaya kung hindi nakakatulog ay sa ibang bagay naman natutuon ang pansin.

"I maintain it myself. It's a habit."

"Talaga?"

I find it hard to believe. Sure, Rex Niccolo looks like someone who takes care of himself religiously but I never thought he maintains his nails alone. At some point, he has to go visit a salon for it, right? Or maybe not?

"Uh-huh. I played volleyball in high school and in my early years in college. I have to take care of my nails more especially because I was a setter. I couldn't let my untrimmed nails get in the way of my setting. It then became a habit."

Bahagyang umawang ang labi ko sa gulat. "You used to play volleyball?"

He nodded. "It's the only sport I liked besides swimming."

"Ang dami ko pang hindi alam tungkol sa'yo..."

When we met, we're poles apart. Sa paniniwala, ugali at hilig. Thinking about it, we don't really have that much in common. Kaunti lang. Mostly just our love for spaces and designs. But it's refreshing to discover new things about him. I couldn't help but smile.