Smitten Series: Book One to Eight

33 - To Know You More

Before you proceed, I changed the names of Aster and Eve to Gabriel and Logan since I find their names... weird and boring, I guess. Thank you for understanding.

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Natapos ang dalawa sa pagkain and gaya ng nakagawian kagabi, Slate is the one who washed their dishes. Sa kalagitnaan ng paghuhugas, naka-recieved siya ng text message mula kay Dous at sa kanyang Ina. Nang matapos si Slate sa ginagawa ay tinignan niya ang phone at binasa ang texts.

Dous: where are you? 'di ka pupuntang bar?

Mom: You're not going to come home and eat dinner?

"Shoot!" nagtipa agad si Slate.

Slate to Wyatt: hindi na muna, I'm busy.

Slate to Mom: I'm with someone, baka 'di na ako lagi riyan kumain, Mom.

Nang makapag-reply na sa dalawa ay nagpunta na siya sa living room, he saw Blythe taking a picture of the roses and the cupcake while sitting on the sofa.

Napangiti siya nang makita ang gentle na ngiti ni Blythe at expression ng mukha.

Pasikreto niyang kinuhanan ng litrato si Blythe.

Pang-wallpaper, ayos na rin.

Nang matapos si Blythe ay naglakad na siya palapit sa babae. Umupo siya sa tabi nito.

"I want to know you more, Kitty." pag-iimik ni Slate.

Na gulat si Blythe nanlaki ang mga mata. "You really want to know me more?"

"Yes." he breathed. "Pero kung ayaw mo-" she cut him off.

"Sure, but I also want to know you more."

Hindi naman siguro masama na kilalanin ko si Slate, isa siyang mabuting lalaki, I trust him. 'Yan ang nasa isip ni Blythe ngayon.

"Yeah, sure... so, ako na ba ang magsimula muna o ikaw?"

"Ikaw na." umayos ng upo si Blythe, gusto niyang pakinggan ang bawat sasabihin ni Slate sa kanya.

Tumikhim si Slate bago magsalita. "My name came from the shade of gray, and I have a sister named Thistle, her name came from shade of purple, and there's a flower like that. My mom named Taffy and my dad named Yale, their businessman and businesswoman. I'm 27-year-old man and have seven friends, we are all the same age. I studied Entrepreneurship at McAllaster University, and also entered the business world but since I love books, I build a bookstore. Tinayo ko siya, on the year 2020, matagal na rin."

"Wow! Tell me more!"

"Hmm? Like?"

"Like your hobby, favorite color and anything else about yourself!"

"My hobby is supporting you as a fan, pursuing you as a man and loving you as your future husband." Slate smirked. "My favorite color is also your favorite color and... anything about your favorite is also my favorite."

"What?" Blythe couldn't believe on what she's heard from the man beside him, all she knows, her face is now red, and her heart is beating so loud and fast.

Slate just shrugged her shoulder. Natutuwa siya sa reaction ni Blythe.

"Ikaw naman." anito. Pinipigilan ang sarili na hawakan si Blythe.

"I have two brothers; their name is Gabriel and Logan Larosa... may pamilya na silang dalawa. I still have parents, and my dad is also a businessman, and my mom is just a housewife. Close kami ni Mom, and she always supported me when I made decision about myself. Noong sinabi ko na gusto kong bumukod, sinamahan niya agad ako maghanap ng condominium unit. She helps me decorate this unit. Kapag nagkakaproblema ako sa school no'n, mom always cheering me up, by me chocolates, ice cream, mallows and we even went to spa, you know girly things." and Blythe laughed.

Nawili sa pakikinig si Slate.

"I like dogs, but I can't take care of them since I'm busy with my studies before and then I got brokenhearted by John and Rhon and my life went to darkness."

"Do you want a dog?" pagtatanong agad ni Slate. "If you want, we can buy dog or puppy at Serendra, I know a pet shop."

"But you're busy."

"I can always give my time to you, you know. I'm not that really busy."

Nagdalawang isip si Blythe, pero sa huli ay pumayag na rin.

"So, tomorrow, we'll meet again."

"Uh-huh."

"Now, tell me more about yourself. I want to know every little thing you like."

"You know that I like cupcakes, and my new favorite is the gelatin you bought for me yesterday's night. Mahina ako sa alak, I'm not a party goer, but I wanted to go to bar soon, maybe if I... I found myself bored here. I'm a dreamer, and sometimes reading books makes me escape the reality I had, or by watching movies."

"Your favorite flower?"

"No specific, but I like the roses, so thank you..."

"You're welcome." Slate wanted to hug her, but he controlled himself. The two of them went quiet, and the awkwardness filled the air.

"I'm going home." Slate spoke after fifteen minutes of silence.

He stood up and ready to go to the door when Blythe held his hand. Na gulat ang dalawa but Blythe immediately recovered.

"Ihahatid kita sa labas."

"No need, I'm a man, you know."

"I know, but I want too."

God, she's so cute right now. Sa isip ni Slate.

"Okay."

Magkatabi sila ngayon habang nasa elevator. Tahimik na naman ang dalawa but being silent with each other presence makes their heart felt an ease. Wala na 'yong awkward gaya kanina.

Paglabas ng elevator ay naglakad na ang dalawa palabas ng condominium.

Mahangin sa labas, and Blythe forgot to wear a jacket, kaya napayakap siya sa sarili.

Since Slate have jacket, hinubad niya 'yon at pinasuot kay Blythe.

"Here, take this."

"Paano ka?"

"Naka-kotse naman ako."

Kukunin na sana ni Blythe ang jacket nang bigla 'yong bawiin ni Slate, humakbang palapit lalo sa kanya ang lalaki at iyon na ang naglagay ng jacket sa kanyang balikat.

"Dito mo na lang ako ihatid, masyadong mahangin at malamig. Thanks for the dinner, I enjoyed the food and the talked we had earlier." Slate kissed her forehead. "Goodnight, sweet dreams.... See you tomorrow, baby."

Even though the two of them have still no label, Slate still called Blythe his baby or Kitty, which makes Blythe melt and feel warmth touches her soul, mind and heart. Slate is really a soft man, a very green flag indeed.

Ginulo ni Slate ang buhok ng babae bago tumalikod at naglakad palayo rito.

Blythe holding the edge of the jacket tightly and she shouted. "Goodnight, Slate! Thank you for everything!" kahit namumula ang mukha, Blythe has the courage to yell those words. "Ingat pag-uwi!"

Hinarap siya ni Slate at kumaway.

Masaya na naman ang gabi niya ngayon.

To be Continued...