In His Kiss

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Laure Ri Daza's Point of View

Alas otso palang ng gabi ay nakapatay na ang lahat ng ilaw sa loob ng bahay. That was always been the setup in our family home. It's because my parents are already in their room preparing to sleep. After having a quick dinner at five with the visitors of my mother to celebrate her birthday, they chatted for few minutes and left at seven.

Napasalampak ako sa aking kama at tumingin sa kisame. My mother's visitors are her co-teachers in school. Napahawak na rin ako sa gilid ng aking bibig at hinilot ito. I've been faking a smile since the visitors arrived. Some are surprised to see me here. One asked if I could get her niece in the company that I'm working at, some commented how I gained weight throughout the years. But all I gave them is a sweet smile. Pero nawala na lang ang ngiti sa labi ko nang tanungin ako ng isa sa mga co-teacher ni Mama kung kailan ako magpapakasal. Given my age, they are already expecting me to get married. She also added that her oldest daughter already got married and bought a house and lot near here. I was caught off guard. I think this is becoming a sensitive topic to me. I couldn't bring myself to answer and the smile on my face faded.

The town where I grew up with is small. Hindi ako nagbibiro na magkakilala ang mga tao dito. Rumors travel faster than lightning. People in this town knew that Creed and I were in a relationship for as long as I remember. Ngayon na tinatanong ako kung kelan ang kasal dahil masyado na akong tumatanda ay hindi na ako makangiti sa kanila.

Suddenly, another teacher opened a different topic so I finally have the reason to excuse myself and leave. My afternoon was eventful. There are comments that I can tolerate but people should be wary of what they say to others.

Instinctively, I put my hands on my necklace and caressed the ring that Creed gave me when he's proposing. Since he started this open relationship thingy, I wear the ring on a necklace and keep it underneath my shirt. Back then, I was so sure of Creed. But now? I don't know anymore.

I frustratedly run my fingers through my hair not until my phone lit up.

Crap! I almost forgot. Magkikita kami ni Hiro ngayong gabi. It's already quarter to nine and Hiro texted me that he's already here. Napatayo ako sa pagkahiga sa aking kama at agad tiningnan ang sarili ko sa salamin. When I'm satisfied of my look, I put my necklace inside my shirt and get the grasshopper plushie lying on my bed and leave my room. Yakap-yakap ko ang plushie at dahan-dahan akong bumaba ng hagdan, huwag lang makagawa ng ingay. My parents must be sleeping now, and I think Kuhn is studying inside his room. I never sneak out of the house, especially at night. Hiro must be lucky because I'm doing this because of him. Pigil hininga ang ginawa ko hanggang makalabas ako ng bahay.

It was so quiet inside. It's only quarter to nine and all the lights in the neighborhood's house are also turned off. Ibang-iba sa siyudad dahil kahit alas nueve na ng gabi ay marami pa rin tao sa labas. This town is different. Mabuti na lang at mayroong lamp post sa bawat gilid kaya nakikita ko pa rin ang dinadaanan ko.

May nakita akong itim na kotse na nakapark sa hindi kalayuan. From there, I know it was Hiro's car. Dali-dali akong naglakad palapit sa kanyang kotse habang yakap ang grasshopper plushie na kinuha ko sa akin kama. I'm not sure why I brought this with me. Maybe because I was so thankful for Hiro because he was the diversion I needed with all the drama I have with Creed.

Huminga muna ako nang malalim bago pumasok sa loob ng kotse ni Hiro. I'm wondering what face I will make in front of Hiro, but those thoughts spiraled away when Hiro greeted me with a sweet smile. Hindi pa rin talaga ako nasasanay sa mga ngiti niya. A good-looking man with a smiling face hit different. He was different with other handsome guys out there. He gives his smiles easily as if he put it for free. Unlike other whose smiles are expensive. Creed on the other hand rarely smile. He might not notice it but I know that his smiles are always guarded. It's one of the reason why I'm drawn with Creed. Pero iba pa rin pala ang tama kung makita kong ngumingiti sa akin si Hiro. It's kina refreshing to look at his smiling face, so carefree, and even though his lips are pressed together, he always looked like smirking.