Dancing with the Devil

Chapter 20

"Was that my brother on the phone?"

Nanliit ang mata ko sa kanya, sinundan ang pagbaba niya ng phone niya na parang wala lang. Pinulot niya ang kutsara, ngumisi siya, sabay nagkibit-balikat.

"I warned you already, stop playing with Ezra. Ikaw lang ang masasaktan."

I thought it was just a one-time thing, but it looks like there's more to it. It's my brother she's playing with! Para kang nakikipaglaro sa nagbabagang apoy sa lalaking 'yun. Kilala ko ang ikot ng bituka n'on—siya lang rin ang masasaktan sa huli.

"Let her be. Ayon's old enough to know what she's doing," aniya. "And maybe it's not that bad."

"Oh girl, you don't know what you're talking about," matunog kong komento.

"Chill, I got this!" Pakunwari pang pinagpag ni Ayon ang kaniyang balikat.

Wala na akong nagawa kundi umirap sa kaniyang kahibangan. Kahit kailan talaga. I felt my phone vibrate, and I hastily picked it up. It was a message from him saying he'd pick me up. It's been a while since we've met. He got occupied with their new project while I was busy living my life.

"Why are we even talking about me? Ask her, 'yan ang halatang may tinatago." Pagpapasa niya sa akin ng spotlight.

"Huh? Stupid, gumagawa ka ng kwento diyan."

"Oh, don't you lie! Nakita kitang sumakay ng isang BMW sa parking ng school last month—umuuga pa! Malandi ka!" she exclaimed, nanlalaki pa ang mata at impit ang tili.

"What?! Omg, where's the privacy we were talking about, girl?!"

My cheeks burned as I tried to hide my reaction from their sight. Scenes flooded my mind like water, reminding me how I lost my cool. I was in a sour mood. I was annoyed with my blockmates—mad even—that I needed to release a bit of heat inside me.

Mariin ko pa ngang nakagat ang labi niya, kaya dumugo.

"Baka hindi ako 'yun." I laughed awkwardly.

"Kadiri ka! Itatanggi mo pa."

"Be proud. Raise the flag of the Katipuneras!" Tunog baluktot. Hindi namin napigilan ang paghalakhak. Binato siya ni Ayon ng tissue.

"'Te, kumain ka na nga lang, mas nakakahiya ka! Pilipino ka niyan?"

Nang matapos ang klase para sa ngayong araw, hindi na ako mapakali, parang hinahalukay ang kalamnan ko sa excitement. Matagal na kaming hindi nagkita. I couldn't calm the rush of feelings inside me. Pinauna ko na ang dalawa para hindi sila mag-abot. I wouldn't want them involved and complicating things further.

I used every alibi that I could think of just so they'd let me go. Pakiramdam ko nga, napilitan na lang sila, masunod lang ang gusto ko. Before leaving the Korean restaurant where we dined, I stopped by the restroom to touch up my makeup and freshen up.

He's already in the parking. Hindi na rin ako nagtagal; ayoko rin siyang paghintayin pa. Coldness seeped into my hands, slightly shaking in nervousness. Shaking, I tightened my grip on the straps of my purse, concealing the rush of excitement.

Lakad-takbo akong lumapit sa kaniya nang makita ang pamilyar niyang bulto sa gilid ng kaniyang sasakyan. The sight of his black suit and slacks was imprinted in my mind, leaving no doubt that it was him—and that he had just come back from work. Hindi ko mapigilan ang sariling tumili at humawak sa kaniyang tagiliran.

Almost jumping, not even hiding my eagerness to see him again.

I smiled widely as he looked down at me. His hands instinctively rested on both sides, preventing my dress from moving upward with my sudden move. He stood frozen, staring straight into my eyes as if in deep thought. I didn't get it!