Marrying Mr. Stranger

Chapter 23

NAGPABILING-BILING lang ako sa higaan dahil hindi ako makatulog. Matapos naming dumating ni Anton dito sa bahay, nagpa-deliver na lang kami ng pagkain para sa hapunan dahil wala na kaming oras para magluto.

We only talked about business over dinner except for one...

"The girl you mentioned before, what do you like about her?" I asked as if it's a normal question to ask.

I mean it's okay to ask something like that to a friend, right? And we're friends!

"Why do you ask?" A wondering smile appeared on his lips.

"Okay, nevermind." I closed the topic.

"Let's see." He's thinking.

Sasagutin din naman pala ang tanong!

"She's pretty. She's smart. She's independent- VERY independent. Uhmmm...what else?" Patuloy ito sa pag-iisip. "I don't know, I just like her."

"Oh, really?" I tried to keep a straight face.

"What's with that reaction, are you jealous?" He cunningly smiled.

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa sinabi nito.

Me?! Jealous?!

"Are you sick in the head?!" I rolled my eyes at him.

He laughed.

"Well, she seems nice and perfect for you." I said.

"She is. Except that she does not believe in love."

"Ooh, I think we can be good friends then!"

He smiled.

"Hey! Is that why you never told her?" I curiously asked.

Tumango-tango lang ito.

"Well, I understand her point of view... Love and marriage just ruin everything."

"...Love and marriage just ruin everything."

Sabay naming binigkas ang mga katagang iyon. Napatigil ako. Did he just say that?

"Hey, where did you get that?" Nagtataka kong tanong rito.

"I don't know. Maybe I just read or heard it somewhere."

Matiim akong napatitig dito.

"How about you? Do you have someone you like too?" Ipinasa nito sa akin ang tanong.

"No, I don't. Just like what I said, I don't believe in love. And don't ask me about my experiences with men, I only had you."

Napatigil ako. Heto na naman po tayo sa bibig kong walang filter!

His eyes narrowed while one corner of his mouth was lifted slightly for a teasing smile.

"I see." Tatango-tango nitong sabi. "Is that what you call 'experience'?"

"Shut up, will you?" I hissed.

"Well if you want more of it, you can ask me for it. My doors are unlocked." Isang nag-aanyayang ngiti ang namutawi rito.

"Are you crazy? And you just told me you like someone else!"

"I mean you're attracted to me and I'm attracted to you. What's the problem?"

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa pinagsasabi nito. Argh, men!

"Parang ang assuming mo naman yata na attracted ako sayo?!"

Sinungaling ka, Damarah! And woah! Did he just say he's attracted to me?

Tumayo ako at akmang lalagpasan ito palabas ng kusina ngunit naabot ako nito sa kamay habang nakaupo pa rin ito sa harap ng lamesa.

"Stop denying, Damarah." He slightly tilted his head back and looked at me with his lazy eyes.

So he knows!

He felt the tension between us too!

Nagkatitigan kami habang tila sumasabog na ang dibdib ko sa kaba.

Tumayo ito mula sa pagkakaupo at dumukwang palapit sa aking tainga.

Napalunok ako sa sobrang lapit nito sa akin.

"I told you. You can ask me when you're sober. My doors are unlocked. If you'll cross the line, I won't let you go." He whispered and left me there bewildered.

What does he mean by crossing the line?

NAMALAYAN ko na lang ang sarili na nasa harap na ng pinto ng kwarto ni Anton.

There's no denying anymore. I am attracted to him and I can't help it.

Is it really possible for two people NOT in love to be attracted to each other?

I guess so. Anton has another woman he likes. I don't like him too as a lover but we're definitely sexually attracted to each other.

Should I succumb to this madness?

"Gosh! Why am I even here?" I angrily whispered to myself and decided to go back to my room.

Surprisingly, his door opened!

Anaknampitumput pitong puting tupa!

What am I going to do?!

Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa. He's wearing a black boxer shorts and a white shirt. Tila nagulat nang makita ako.

"H-hi." Isang alanganing ngiti ang namutawi sa aking mga labi. Kinakabahan na naman ako.

He deviously smiled and folded his arms. He looked down the line on the floor between us that separates us with him inside his room and me outside his room.

Sumunod ako ng tingin sa sahig.

Oh is this what he meant by crossing the line? Is it a literal line?

"I told you. If you'll cross the line, I won't let you go." He said in his clear and deep voice.

Am I losing my mind? Tumayo pa talaga ako sa harap ng pinto nito. I should not make things more complicated! I should leave!

"Don't misunderstand." I met his gaze and I aggressively waved my hand back and forth for refusal. "I'm not crossing the line!"

"Really?" His eyes turned dark. He's serious.

"Yes!" Mabilis kong sagot. "Napadaan lang talaga ak-"

"You tease!" He groaned.

Hindi ko na natapos ang sasabihin. He grabbed my hand and pulled me inside his room. He slammed the door shut and pinned me against it.

"Now you do!" He fumingly said and kissed me!