OS #4: Claws of Dominance

28th Dominance

Wait

Aabutin ko na sana ang baso ko ng natigilan. Ramdam ko ang pagbilis ng tibok ng puso sa pinaghalong kaba at gulat ng kasabay ng pagtingin ko sa kanya ay kumibot ang labi niya.

Napaayos ako ng tayo at nanigas sa pwesto.

Nang muli ko siyang sulyapan ay tila hindi na niya nakayanan kaya mahina siyang tumawa, lumiit ang mga mata.

Pigil akong magpakita ng reaksyon ng matanto ang nagawa.

I just... didn't, right?

But looking at him grinning now, ngiting abot tenga, gusto ko na lang kutusan ang sarili.

Oh my gosh, Dahlia!

I can feel the heat spreading all over my face and even behind my neck. Nakakahiya! Baka kung ano na ang iniisip niya!

Umiling siya habang nagpipigil na mas mapangiti pa. "Hindi ko sideline ang pagiging hardinero. It's just that my mom likes flowers, so I thought you would like it too. These are carnations, by the way."

Humalukipkip ako at nagawa pang umirap sa kanya habang umaaktong parang walang pakialam, nagtataray.

He tilted his head as his amber eyes stared at me with obvious amusement. "I won't give this to Kim, Kat, or Eve. I picked these flowers together with my mom today just for you."

Bahagyang nanlaki ang mata ko sabay tingin sa bouquet na hawak niya. The bouquet is more dark red - carnations he says. Maganda iyon at bahagyang malaki kesa sa nasa story niya-

Napataas ang aking kilay sa naisip. "How about the last choice? Hindi ba iyon kasali?"

The sides of his lips rose up until a sweet smile showed. Umiling siya. "She's different."

Mabilis na iniwas ko ang tingin ng agad nakaramdam ng pait. Aatras na sana ako ng maramdaman ko siyang hinawakan ang kamay ko.

I looked at him irritatingly. "Give it to her then-"

"The one in my story is my mom. It was for her."

Naramdaman ko ang bahagyang pagtigil ko at ang paghinaon sa narinig.

So... His mom really does likes flowers so much, huh?

Inilayo niya ang bouquet habang titig na titig sa akin.

"I won't give bouquets to others anymore," he said with finality as if taking an oath while staring straight into my eyes.

Napatikhim ako at saglit na napaiwas ng tingin, hindi nakayanan ang intensidad non. "W-What about your Mom?"

He nodded slowly. "Except for Mom then," malambing niyang sabi kasabay ng mahinang paghaplos ng hinlalaki niya sa aking kamay.

Natahimik ako.

I can't help but stare at his face. His hair was no longer in a clean cut and was already a bit longer. It was brushed up, with strands escaping on his forehead, looking messy yet wavy, making him look even more mature where his features were more emphasized.

Naalala ko tuloy na ganitong-ganito rin ang haba ng buhok niya noong nasa pool kami para tanungin kung bakit ko siya iniiwasan. Pero ang kaibahan basa siya noon.

He has the same expression too, but less serious, and now more... gentle.

"If you don't like flowers, then what do you like? I will give it to you."

Mas kumalabog ang puso ko. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kamay niyang nakahawak sa akin. Nahagip ko pa ang bouquet na nasa gilid na niya.

Bakit hinahayaan ko pa rin siyang hawakan ako ganito. This is not allowed-