Dazzled by Flames (Flames Series #3)

Chapter 21

Boyfriend

Vixen embraced the brokenness in me. It didn't matter to him when he found out I wasn't really the Tali he knew. I am dangerous. I have a complicated life. I am problematic. Being with me would only burn him down, but instead of fleeing from me, he embraced me wholeheartedly, despite being on the same fire as me. Despite the fact that he might turn into ashes or become broken, too.

I've never felt accepted as much as he made me feel that night. Hindi ko iyon nakuha kay daddy o sa ibang pamilya ko pero kay Vixen, oo. Hindi ko hiningi, kusa niyang ibinigay sa akin.

I realized, that night, that I'm already falling for him. Hindi ko lang siya gusto dahil mas lumalala na ito. Maybe I liked him at first for his physical appearance, but now I'm starting to love him for every bit of him, especially for the way he treats and cares for me. I love how he looks cruel but actually has a soft heart, especially for me. 

God, after all, cares about me. He gave me Vixen, the first guy who showed me that I could be who I am and still be accepted no matter what. Sana lang... sana ibigay na talaga sa akin. Sana sa akin na lang talaga at huwag Niya nang ibigay sa iba. 

"Bye! See you tomorrow!" Niah kissed my cheek before sliding inside their car.

"See you!" sabi ko bago niya tuluyang isarado ang pinto. 

Hinarap ko si Vixen noong humarurot paalis ang sasakyan nila Niah. Nginitian ko siya at inangkla ang kamay sa braso niya. He pursed his lips and his eyes lit up.

Kakatapos lang ng pangalawang araw ng final exams week namin. Nakaka-apat pa lang akong exam at bukas naman ang huling araw ng exam. Sa pharmacology 'yong isang exam at ang isa ay Gen Ed subject.

"Hatid mo na ko?"

He licked his lips and nodded. "Do you want to grab a bite first?"

Ngumuso ako at umiling. "Ang dami ko pang aaralin si pharma."

Pumasok kami sa loob ng kotse niya. Hindi na ako nag-seatbelt dahil sobrang lapit lang naman ng dorm ko. Puwedeng-puwedeng lakarin, gusto lang talagang magsayang ni Vixen ng gas. 

"Need help?" he offered. Wala na kasi siyang exam, natapos niya na kanina at kahapon. Nakapag-submit na rin siya ng mga plates niya. Nakakainggit nga dahil marami nang natapos ngayong araw. 

"H'wag na. Baka sa'n na naman mauwi."

Humagalpak ako ng tawa noong pisilin niya ang hita ko. Hinampas ko ang kamay niya habang tumatawa pa rin.

"Your fault for always teasing me," he sneered.

I just shrugged because it's true. I always tease him every time I get bored of studying. Ang cute niya kasing asarin. Gustong-gusto ko kapag nagtitimpi siya. 

"Are you sure you don't want to eat first?" pangungulit niya.

"Hindi naman ako nagugutom," tugon ko. 

We stopped in front of my dorm building. Sumimangot siya mula sa pagsulyap sa gate. Bumaba siya mula sa driver's seat at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto.

Tiningnan ko siya noong makalabas na. He has a frown on his face. Halatang ayaw niya pang umuwi at gusto pa akong makasama. 

"Why do you have to live nearby?"

I chortled.

This man... hindi pa rin siya nagsasawang kasama ako! He always wants to be around me! Paano kaya ito kapag nag-busy na talaga kami at madalang na lang magkita? 

"Magkikita pa naman tayo bukas." I put my hands inside my pockets. "Date tayo after exams, bago night out namin nila Niah."

He frowned. "Can't I really come?"