Dancing with the Devil

Chapter 6

The next day, the shop was full but I did see him sitting in my favorite spot. It wasn't easy to forget him, lalo na at puro kahihiyan ang dinanas ko sa kanya kahapon. Sa sobrang hiya ko ay ni hindi ko kinuwento sa mga kaibigan ko ang nangyari, or even to Gallo! Which is unusual for me to do, dahil basta gwapo icchika ko yan sa iba, syempre!

I tried to ignore his presence and focus on helping my staff on the workloads, but I failed to do so. He stands out so much that even the other customers were gawking at him, especially women- I can see from their eyes the hint of admiration and lust... they're lusting over him.

He's wearing the same attire, but the difference is that he has a laptop with him today. Masyadong hapit ang damit na suot niya sa kanyang katawan, you can see his muscles bulging on the sleeves perfectly.

I look down and pretend to be busy on the machine in front of me when his head moves to my side. I bit my lips lightly, preventing myself from looking back.

Kalaunan ay tuluyan ko rin namang nakalimutan ang tungkol sa kanya ng mas dumami ang tao, ni hindi ko na rin napansin kung kailan siya umalis. Nang magsasara na ay doon ko lang narealize na hindi ko man lang nalaman ang pangalan niya. I mean, I was at the counter the whole time so what are the chances for me not knowing his name?

I heaved a sigh. Masyadong malalim na hindi ko alam kung para sa pagod ko ba iyon ngayong araw o sa dahil hindi ko man lang nalaman ang pangalan nung gwapong 'yun.

Kumunot ang noo ko. I smack myself in irritation, bakit naman ako nanghihinayang na di ko nalaman yung angalan nun?! Like, it's not clicking? Gwapo lang siya pero walang ibang rason.

"Tama walang rason."

"Anong walang rason?" Taas kilay sa akin ng aking ina.

"Walang rason para hindi..." I look away, contemplating what should I said. "A-ay ewan ko, Ma!"

"What were you saying again?" I ask instead. Gising na sa nakakalunod kong pag iisip tungkol sa bagay na hindi ko naman dapat pinagtutuunan ng pansin.

"Sabi ko kumusta ka? Your shop? Your father wanted to visit the shop but he's too busy to do it. Ang magaling mong ama ay ako ang inuutusan." Lintaya niya. She was busy removing the freshly baked cookies from the tray. She likes to bake in her free time, which is what I get from her and made me start my own business.

"Hindi na rin naman kailangan, Ma. I know he's busy rin with work. And even you, with my brother."

"He insisting it. At ang laki na ng kuya m-" Ma was cut off.

"Yet, you all act as if I'm still a kid," speaking of the devil.

"Because you act like one," ngisi ko sa kanya. "Dinaig pa ni mama ang nag-anak ulit sa sobrang pasaway mo." His eyes widened and readied himself to attack me.

Mabilis siyang hinampas ni mama ang braso niyang puno ng tattoo, "ikaw para ka pa rin talagang bata kung umakto."

"Wow na wow talaga! I felt like I'm not part of this family, you are all such a bully," reklamo niya at naupo sa aking tabi sa harap ng counter table.

"At itong bata na 'to, ma. Kaya nang gumawa ng bata!" Proud pa siya. And there he gets another smack in his head from our very loving mother.

"Ma!," ngumiwi siya at kinamot ang kanyang ulo. Para siyang itlog sa buhok niya.

"Kuya, mukha kang itlog na hindi nabasag," tawa ko.

"Ikaw, Maya!" Dinuro niya ako at sinubukang abutin para gumanti ngunit masyado akong advance mag isip na alam kong iyon ang balak niya. Tumakbo ako papuntang living room habang siya ay humahabol sa akin at nakaamba ang kamay.