Flowing Through Pages

Chapter 9

Chapter 9.

Wine

I'm outside alone, sitting in a poolside setup while reading a book. I haven't had time to read lately. Halos tatlong araw akong hindi nakapagbasa. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan si Yael. He's probably working—

Sa pagsabi ko no'n ay ang bigla namang pag lapag ng pasta sa aking harap. Inangat ko ang paningin kay Yael. He's just wearing a bathrobe and shorts.

"Stop looking," sabi niya ng mapansing nakatingin ako sa kaniyang katawan.

Can't help it. He has that perfect physique.

Umupo siya sa tabi ko at nag simulang kumain. I put down my book and decided to taste his cooking. Napatango ako ng malasahan.

"It's delicious."

"Well," mayabang niyang sabi. "By the way, have you seen the news?"

Umangat ang kilay ko. "What news?"

He took his phone and did something with it, then handed it to me. The news was about us, claiming we're on a honeymoon and revealing our location. There's even a picture of us holding hands. Tsk, these reporters, really.

I heaved a sigh and handed it back to him. "I'm not going out anymore."

Mamaya ay may makasalubong pa akong reporter. Irita pa naman ako sa kanila.

"I knew you would say that. Don't worry, half of the private is mine. They can't come in here."

I just nodded. Biglang sumagi sa isip ko si Tia. She's usually ahead with the news, but I haven't received anything from her. She should've been teasing me by now. Is she busy? Or drunk again?

Ah. I don't wanna think about it right now.

Napatingin ako sa tabi ko at bumaba 'yon. It seems my impulsive urge won out, leading me to casually touch his abs. Nanlaki ang mata niya at nahulog ang hawak niyang tinidor.

Hinaplos ko 'yon bago binawi. "Sorry, got curious."

"Kalli!" sigaw niya, namumula ang mukha.

I continued eating my pasta. "I was just curious how it feels. Stop overreacting."

"Y-you should have asked, para nakapaghanda ako," napahilamos siya sa mukha.

I blinked. "Okay, I'm touching it again."

Hinawakan ko ulit 'yon. He flinched, but he allowed my hand to touch him. Napapikit siya ng mariin at napakapit ng mahigpit sa lamesa. Nakahinga lang siya nang maluwag no'ng binawi ko ang kamay.

"Huwag kang ma-curious nang ganito sa iba. . ." nahihirapan niyang sinabi.

"That won't happen. I'm only curious about you."

Hindi siya sumagot at umiwas na lang ng tingin. Pagkatapos ko kumain ay kinuha ko ang libro at sumakay sa malaking salbabidang unicorn, iniingatan na hindi ako mabasa. Sinuot ko ang shades at nag simulang magbasa.

I saw Yael getting into the water. Binasa niya ang sarili at sinuklay pataas ang buhok. Tinuloy ko naman ang pagbabasa. I suddenly gripped the float tightly when it began to move because Yael started swimming. Nasa parteng malalim ako! I don't know how to swim!

"Yael!" I shouted at him.

Taka naman siyang lumingon sa akin.

"Help me!" napakapit ako sa ulo ng unicorn.

Imbes na tulungan ako ay tumawa siya. He keeps laughing as he walks towards me. Pumait ang mukha ko. He's teasing me? Really?

Pumunta siya sa gilid ko at hinila ako papunta sa mababaw. He's still laughing. Inis ko tuloy siyang binatukan. Muntik na ako mamatay.