Protecting What's Hers

𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫

Felicity Alvarez

"Ehem," napatingin ako sa lalaking who keeps on clearing his throat every minute.

I took the glass of warm water with a teaspoon of salt dissolved in it for him to gargle. I don't know if he caught a cold last night but hearing his voice crackle every time he speaks indicates that he really caught one.

I admit ang lamig nga kagabi. Nakailang refills pa ko ng heat pad just to lessen my shivering. Kulang nalang ay yakapin ko nalang pati yung thermos na nasa gilid ko just to stop my body from trembling.

His gaze traveled from the glass up to my arms when I reached forward and placed it in front of him. We're currently seated around the mini size foldable table while having breakfast.

Alasyete na ng umaga ngunit medyo madilim pa ang paligid at tanging kakaunting liwanag na sumisilip sa mga dahon ang nagbibigay ilaw sa paligid.

"Para san to?" He asked with his brows knitted in confusion.

"Gargle it, kanina ka pa ubo ng ubo diyan," I said, cutting the sausage in my plate and shove it inside my mouth.

I was busy munching and reading the fashion magazine that I bought knowing na walang signal dito when a hand entered my sight at nilagyan ng ulam ang pinggan ko.

I lift my gaze at nakita kong prenteng nakaupo ang presidente sa harapan ko. "Eat that, kailangan pa natin maglakad ng malayo pabalik. You need a lot of energy."

Heat suddenly went up my head nang muling naubo ang binata sa gilid. Now I know the reason why he's clearing his throat non stop kanina pa. Hindi pala dahil sa nilamig ito ngunit may malisya palang dala.

My hand reached on the side of the table at binigyan ng kurot sa hita ang lalaki dahilan upang mapangiwi ito sa sakit.

I glared at him, causing for him to let out a soft chuckle. Kanya - kanyang ligpit kami ng kainan pagkatapos namin kumain. Naunang pumunta sa batis si Robert at yung mamang kasama namin habang nakasunod lang kaming dalawa ni Ms. Evans sa likod.

I almost lost my balance when a hand snake around my wrist, pulling me closer at agad na pinulupot ang kamay sa kabilang bewang ko.

I can feel the heat radiating off her body as she closed the gap between us.

I gasped, feeling her breath fanning on my face as she looks down on me. I almost purred when her hands reached under my chin, lifting my face as she grazed her thumb on the side of my lips.

Nanatiling nakatingin ako sa kanya at halos manlaki ang mata when she bring her thumb in her mouth, sticking her tongue out as she licked the milk foam while maintaining eye contact with me.

If I could just squeeze my heart and stop it from beating so loud ay nagawa ko na. I'm afraid that she'll be able to hear it and it will make her aware of her effects on me.

"You're such a messy eater," she said, tugging me so close kung saan nilagay ko ang palad sa dibdib neto to stop her from being so close. Napataas ang kilay niya at bumaba ang mga tingin sa kamay kong nasa gitna namin.

"Stop, we need to wash the dishes pa," I said, causing for her to roll her eyes with a hint of faint smile visible in her face.

"Actually we don't need na." 

She intertwined her hands on mine as she gently drag me towards the body of water. Doon naabutan naming si Robert na siyang naghuhugas ng mga plato kaya napataas ang tingin ko sa babaeng nakatayo sa likuran ko.

Aba at hinayaan pa talaga ang binata upang mag hugas ng plato neto. Nakatingin lang siya doon sa lalaki with her arms crossed all over her chest.

I let out a sigh at agad na sinaluhan ang binata sa paghuhugas. "Hay nako pag ako pinatay ng bebelabs mo dito," aniya nang kunin ko ang sponge sa kamay neto.