To Love the Dawn

13

Paglabas ko ng banyo ay sumalubong sa akin si David. Ang daya ng mundo. Fresh na ako ngayon dahil naligo at nag-toothbrush na ako. Si David na bagong gising at lasing na lasing pa kagabi, fresh pa rin tingnan.

"Good morning. Did something happen between us?" he asked in a low voice. Natawa ako sa tanong niya. His brows furrowed. "Did we really do the thing?"

"'Yan ba conclusion mo dahil nagising kang naka-boxers lang? I tried to help you shower last night but you were too heavy. Tapos it's you who took off all of your clothes. Sabi mo naiinitan ka." Ngumiti ako sa kaniya. "And if you're still thinking if we did the deed, no, we didn't. I'm not someone who takes advantage."

"In any way, did I try to touch you?" I went to the mini-countertop and started making my coffee. I felt David's presence behind me.

"No, but you tried to kiss me."

"Solana, I'm really sorry-"

"Patas na tayo ngayon. I kissed you before without your permission. We're even, David. Hindi na tayo odd." Natawa ako sa sariling joke. "But you know what? I'm curious..."

"About what?" I turned around and started sipping on my cup. I looked straight into his eyes. "Stop giving me that look."

"I'm curious about how well you kiss a woman. When I saw you kissing Clara, I knew you were a good kisser. From the way Clara reacted, I already knew, David. But how does it feel when being kissed by you?"

"I don't kiss women randomly."

"I'm not telling you to kiss me if that's what you're thinking." I winked at him before leaving him there.

"Solana, I need to recharge." Tinuro ko sa kaniya ang charger ko na nasa bedside table. "No, not my phone. And I'm not an Android user."

"Recharge ng ano pala?"

"I need to recharge myself." Lumapit siya sa akin at bigla na lamang akong niyakap. Pinagmasdan ko ang pagpulupot ng mga braso niya sa aking tiyan. "Dito na muna tayo."

"Clingy mo na kahit 'di ka lasing. Nagda-drugs ka ba? Or baka may nainom kang gayuma! Naku, albularyo na kailangan mo."

After having breakfast, David fell asleep again. Sinulit niya masyado iyong stay namin sa hotel. Napagdesisyunan ko tuloy na magtungo sa ibang areas ng hotel. Una akong nagtungo sa pool area.

I smiled when I saw different families and couples there. Ang saya nilang panoorin. Nang mainip na ay pumasok naman ako sa gym. But I got easily uncomfortable when I felt the stares of the men inside. Lumabas kaagad ako at naglakad-lakad nalang sa lobby. I was about to get into the elevator when I saw a familiar face. It was my father's mistress. Paano kung...

Nagtago ako sa likod ng isang poste at pinagmasdan siya. Mukhang solo naman siya. Pero paano ako nakakasiguro? I watched her talk to the front desk. They handed her a key card. She smiled at them and walked towards the elevator.

"Sol!" Napalingon ako kay David at nakita siyang hinihingal, hawak-hawak pa ang dibdib. "I thought you went somewhere."

"Maverick?" Our gazes were diverted to the one who called David. It was... my father's mistress. "It's you... Can we talk for a bit?"

"Sol, this is my-"

"I am his college classmate." She clung to David's arm and pulled the latter away from me. College classmate? She looked more mature than David!