Painting the Hueless Sky (La Carlota #4)

37

"Babe, is everything okay here?"

I trapped my lower lips with my front teeth and looked at Whitney whose lips are parted. Huminga nalang ako nang malalim at agad na dinaluhan si Niko, he's wearing a printed polo and a khaki shorts. Mukhang kakagaling niya lang talaga sa airport.

"Yeah.. Since when are you home?" I softly asked.

"My plane just landed," he welcomed me in his arms then he claimed my waist. Napapikit ako nang patakan niya ng halik ang noo ko. "Are you done for today? Can I take you home already?"

Lumunok ako't tinignan ang pinaggalingan ng maririing tingin. "I can go now, I just finished work.. " balik ko ng tingin kay Niko.

Tinanguan niya ako't muling hinalikan. "Are they your bosses?"

Tumango ako't ngumiti. "Yes.. Let's go?"

"You won't introduce me?" he chuckled.

Natawa nalang din ako't hinayaan siyang mailahad ang kamay niya sa mga boss ko. I watched him offer his hand to Kyrone who looked pale. My brows furrowed.

"Nikolas Osmeña," Niko said with a smile. "Norine's boyfriend, I believe we have met in the past? Yambao's abode?"

Tumango si Kyne at saglit akong tinignan. "Yeah.. We have, a few years back. Kyrone Vergara. Norine's.. " he gulped and looked at Niko. "Boss."

"Pleased to meet you," ani Niko't binitawan na ang kamay ng piloto. "Nikolas Osmeña, Miss.. ?"

Whitney fixed her posture and gulped. With shaking hands she reached for Niko's hands as well. "Whitney.. Whitney Montemayor," she uttered softly.

Tumango si Niko't mabilis na bumitaw sa kamay ng babae. She doesn't seem to want to let go of his though.. Mas lalong nagtahi ang kilay ko. "Pleased to meet you both."

"Niko.. " pahabol ni Whitney. "Niko Osmeña of Revamp?"

"No other than," pagkukumpirma ni Niko't bumalik na sa 'kin. "But I'm here as Niko of Norine, let's go, babe?" he looked at me.

"I'm a huge fan! I was in the world tour!" her voice was shaking, almost.

Niko looked at me before he smiled awkwardly. "I see.. Thanks. Nice meeting you,"

Muli na kaming nagpaalam sa dalawa bago tuluyang umalis. Gusto ko na rin talagang umalis dahil pakiramdam ko kung tatagal ako roon mas lalo lang akong pag-iinitan ni Whitney.

"Let me drive," presinta ni Niko.

"Let me do it, you're tired from your flight."

Umiling siya't hinigit ako palapit sa kaniya lalo. "I can still do this for my girlfriend though. Ako na, babe.. " he laughed softly.

"Okay okay! Do you even know how to get to our house?"

"Sino'ng nagsabing sa bahay niyo tayo pupunta? Let's go to my hotel," he smiled evilly.

Mabilis ko siyang hinampas at tumawa. "Nikolas!"

"It's a joke! What do you want to have for dinner, hmm? Steak? Pizza? Filipino cuisine? I'll get a reservation somewhere."

"You should've told me that you're coming home, e 'di sana napaghanda ka nila Mommy. Did you get her the signed albums ba? She will be sad if you didn't bring her album with you."

"E 'di hindi na surprise kung sinabi ko sa 'yo?" biro niya at pinagbuksan na ako ng pintuan. Umirap nalang ako't sumakay. "And, I have the albums with me. Signed by everyone in the band, Ma'am."'