Forever Trapped

Chapter 16

"I have a special project for you next week, Zahara. I think you'll like it."

We were finalizing everything for our collection. Pagkatapos nito ay magsisimula na kaming mag-focus sa ibang projects and our schedule wouldn't be as hectic as the previous weeks. I couldn't help but be proud. I was scared of the thought before- to work with anyone and what if I wouldn't reach their expectations. What if in the end, I'll end up regretting my choices but so far, so good.

I can feel that Kathea is trusting me with more tasks. Hindi din ako nahihiyang mag-suggest ng idea sa team. I entered the team when it was the busiest. I thought it would be hard and it is but it also gave me the opportunity to learn faster.

"Looking forward to that."

I was already tired when I reached the door of my unit. When I reached the entryway, I was stretching my neck which felt so stiff after almost a whole day of sewing. Ngayon ko lang napansin na nakabukas na ang ilaw sa loob. I raised an eyebrow too when I smelled something. Oh, I don't have any questions about who is inside. What's more intriguing is why is there a smell of food.

"You cooked?"

Bungad ko sa kaniya. Phoenix preparing food on the table is an unusual view. Oh, he comes over but cooking has never been the top reason. Alam namin pareho kaming busy but none of those slowed us down for our extra-curricular activities.

"This is new."

He placed the utensils and then kissed me lightly on the lips which I welcomed. "I ordered."

Napatawa ako. Oo nga naman, why did I think Phoenix would cook? One time, when we were both so tired from both work and sex, both starving but we lack the energy or even the skill para magluto so we ended up eating cup noodles. That was a new experience.

"Don't worry, I'll cook one of these days and surprise you. Just wait and see."

"Yum!" I pretended to not hear him at napatingin sa in-order niya. Now that I'm seeing the Maki Rolls, Gyoza, and other Japanese dishes on the table, it was clearer and clearer that Phoenix did not cook any of these. "Why don't we just order always?"

"Just wait and see," panghahamon pa niya sa akin. I was suppressing my laugh at the confident look on his face. Baka nga mag-stock na lang ako palagi ng cup noodles kasi baka maisipan niyang magluto one of these days, I might end up getting food poisoned.

We just had our dinner and little talks as usual. When I showered, agad naman siyang sumunod. I just rolled my eyes, a typical Phoenix move. My thirty-minute quick shower would become an hour.

"Ako na," I said and snatched the soap from him because my breasts would get the extra cleansing it doesn't need kung siya ang hahawak ng sabon. He just grinned as he rinsed while showering. Iniwas ko na lang ang tingin ko sa kaniya because we'd be dying of hypothermia at this rate.

Sabay kaming natapos mag-shower but because of my skincare routine, I had to stay inside longer pero nang nakalabas naman ako ay naka-abang na siya sa kama.

I just shook my head as I placed my legs on his opposite sides, straddling him. He bit his lower lip as I lowered myself as he slowly enters me. "Sometimes I wonder why we still even bother wearing robes."

I know I said I was fine being busy pero iba pa rin pala ang pakiramdam na makapag-relax. Me, Cynthia, and Mikee were just sunbathing on the sand where Cynthia celebrated her birthday party. Ewan ko ba sa kaniya at bigla na lang nag-ayang mag bonding.

I was busy and I know Mikee is too. It's so hard to match each other's schedules even with Cynthia na halos araw-araw din ang out of town. This time though, alam naming naglalambing lang siya because she's supposed to leave next week. So here we are.

"I miss kissing," Mikee blurted out of the blue.

"What the fuck." Napatanggal naman ng shades si Cynthia. "Respeto naman sa mga kaibigan mo."

"The hell?" I can sense that the two are about to banter again. Palagi naman. "I'm just saying this kasi naman, pag aalis ka na, sino na lang ka-chika ko?"

"I'm still here?" Nakisali na din ako sa kanila.

"You're too busy." Parang nagtatampo pa ito. Aba! As if she is not busy herself. Akala ko walang plano but I think she's the busiest with her vlogging which she started in the first place because she had nothing to daw kamo. "And you'll be gone!" she faced Cynthia. "I'm gonna be alone forever."

"Ang OA ha. Try mo kaya acting."

"Try ko kaya?" Mikee even took Cynthia's suggestion seriously. "Hindi ba magulo ang showbiz?"

"Hindi naman ako artista but yeah, it's a scary world but you'll survive. I just know."

Kita mo 'tong dalawang ito. A while ago, they were like two kids arguing then now, they're talking seriously about careers. I will miss this sudden mood change for sure.

"And who knows right? Baka nasa big screen pala ang the one for me." Mikee, her usual corny self. Bagay nga ata sa kaniyang mag artista. "If none, may kissing scene naman on-screen. Maybe I'll survive with that."

"Oh dear," I can't help but react at her thirstiness.

"Shut up, Zahara. Baka nakalimutan mong nangingibang bayan pa tayo dati just so you could find someone to make out with."

"Wow, making it sound like it's only me who wanted all the fun. From the girl who loves the spotlight."

Mikee smiled at me sweetly, "Kind of forgotten that part. Ugh! I miss twerking."

"Sira-ulo talaga."

"Masisiraan na talaga ako ng bait one of these day. I'm so busy. I need to... de-stress." I lightly shook my head. Oh, I know what she means by de-stressing. "How do you de-stress?"

"I need a drink," Cynthia stood up. Napatawa na lang ako sa timing niya, obviously avoiding Mikee's question.

"I need one too," I said after following her.

"Sige! Y'all don't answer me!"

We went to a nearby beach bar. I looked back at Mikee whose now back to lying. "Susunod naman siguro iyon di ba?"

"Hindi naman iyan marunong magtampo. Just give her five minutes."

Yeah, I think she's right. I received a text message notification. When I saw it was from Phoenix, I just quickly read the text. 'Send me some bikini pics? Just kidding. Enjoy the sun.' I was trying to hide my smile. Oh, he better not be kidding because I'm more than willing to send a pic or two. I look so good with my tan and surprisingly, my butt looks great in this yellow bikini I'm wearing. Humanda talaga iyon.

"You seem happy," Cynthia suddenly commented.

Agad kong binalik ang phone sa tote ko. We never actually talked about Phoenix again so I don't know what she knows. I just smiled at her and simply told her, "I am."