Heaven On Fire

Twenty Three

Sabay na huminto ang ilaw at ang tunog mula sa makina ng sasakyan.

Nang pagbukas ng pinto, it was him.

"Sino yung naglalakad palabas ng lot natin?" Benjamin said. "Nakaharang yung sasakyan niya sa bukana papasok dito."

I looked at him with disgust. Naiilang pa din ako lumapit sa kanya.

"It's francine's," I said, gamit ang mahina at medyo may tunog-inis na boses.

"Well, well," He said, smiling. Papalapit na sana siya sa akin ngunit nakaiwas ako kaagad.

"Don't touch me," I said, na hindi tumitingin nang diretso sa kanya. "Bakit ngayon ka lang?"

"Busy sa work," Benjamin replied. "You know how stressful and demanding ang trabaho sa office."

"You are the Executive Vice President ng Rivera Industrial Group na sarili niyo pang company," I replied, sinasadya kong magtunog na nagtatampo. "You don't have to leave there late."

"Okay, sabi mo eh," He answered back. Wala man lang paliwanag kung bakit? Sa isip-isip ko. "Pahinga na ako."

"Shouldn't you explaining yourself, Mister?" I angrily said.

Pero nagdire-diretso lang ng akyat patungo ng kwarto si Benjamin. Punyetang lalaki 'to!!!

Around 3 A.M., I stirred. I sat up and looked at Saoirse, at her short limbs, at the beautiful body na nakuha niya sa akin, and felt a sudden warmth infuse me.

Careful not to wake her, I walked gently.

I reached out to touch her, and just then a bit of moonlight fell across the floor from the window, I searched for my book and tried to read.

*****

The next morning the smell of baked cookies had sneaked up the stairs and into our room where Benjamin and I sleep.

He was in the kitchen, preparing the fresh-baked morning cookies in a plate. He looked at me.

"Good morning, Love," Benjamin said. He was only wearing black boxer short. Yung mga muscles niya ay fit na fit sa tangkad niya. Sa ibaba ng shoulders niya, napatitig ako sa mga malalaman niyang six-packed abs. Ang lalim pa ng boses. Gosh tangina, Sa isip-isip ko na di mapigilan ang init ng katawan ko.

"Morning." I replied. Dapat galit pa din ako. Kailangan suyuin niya ako.

Imbis na dumiretso papunta sa kitchen, lumabas ako ng bahay to collect daffodils.

"Hey..." Benjamin said, bago ako makalabas ng bahay.

He seemed to follow me from behind.

"Loren," Benjamin said, sinusubukan akong palambutin.

I stared at him.

"Sorry, Loren," Benjamin said. "I know na I shouldn't came home late yesterday."

I turned around at him and gave him the flowers.

"Pakilagay sa flower vase," I said, na kunwari galit pa din. "Susunod na ako."

It was not sunny nor raining that morning. Actually, gusto ko yung katamtaman yung ulap para di masyadong mainit pero ayoko kapag may itim na yung ulap sa langit.

Pagpasok ko sa loob eh kasabay nun ang pagtunog ng timer ng oven. He brought an apple pie he had baked to the table, where the scent of it rose in a steamy mist from the holes cut into the crust.

"Breakfast?" He offered.

"Kuha ka muna ng freshmilk sa fridge." I said.

Kumuha siya ng dalawang water glass sinalinan iyon ng gatas at iniabot niya sa akin.