His Secret Desires

Chapter 8

Axel stepped out of the shower, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, the rest of his body still damp from the water. He ran his fingers through his wet hair, taming the unruly strands and pushing them back out of his face. The droplets of water clung to his skin, making his defined muscles glisten under the bathroom light.

He paused in front of the mirror, grabbing his toothbrush from the counter and started brushing his teeth.

"Axel? You done showering?!" Rinig niyang tanong ni Kei sa labas ng pinto.

Tinapos niya ang pagsisipilyo bago sumagot, "Yeah! Be out in a minute."

He rinsed his mouth and grabbed a face towel hanging by the bathroom to wipe his face with. He took a second towel in hand and went out,  drying his hair, ruffling his strands to help them dry faster.

Naabutan niya si Kei na bihis na bihis at nakaharap sa salamin at nag-aayos ng buhok. Dumapo ang mga mata niya sa orasan na nasa bedside table nito.

"Talaga bang may aabotan ka pa nito? Malapit nang mag alas onse." Pagtatanong niya.

Kei looked at him and chuckled, "Never heard of life starts at eleven, man?"

Axel let out a soft scoff upon hearing Kei's response, his eyes still lingering on the sight of him standing there in his perfectly pressed shirt and meticulously styled hair.

He shook his head wryly. "Life starts at eleven?" he repeated, uninterested. "Whatever.'"

He had never heard of a phrase like that before, so he does not know and understand.

"Ayaw mo talagang sumama? Sure na talaga?" Kei asked for the nth time.

Axel crossed his arms over his bare chest and leaned against the wall, "Isang tanong mo pa, papalitan ko ang code ng unit mo para hindi ka makapasok mamaya." Pagbabanta niya.

Kei had been repeatedly asking Axel if he wanted to join him for a party, but Axel was adamant about not going. He knew he wouldn't enjoy himself there. Lalo pa't kasama raw ni Kei ang iilan sa mga kaibigan niya, mas lalong umayaw si Axel.

Kei let out a soft huff of laughter, clearly not too concerned about the threat. He approached Axel and seized the towel hanging from his shoulder, taking it upon himself to dry Axel's hair and the moisture dripping down his neck.

Hinayaan lang ito ni Axel, pero tinaasan niya ito ng kilay.

"But you'll be left all alone here. Won't you get bored?" Tanong ni Kei.

"I'll manage," Axel replied with a shrug, his voice indifferent. "I can find ways to entertain myself."

Kei pouted. "But it won't be as fun all alone! Sumama ka na kasi! You won't get bored, I promise. Please! Please! Please!" Kumapit pa talaga si Kei sa braso niya.

Axel's expression shifted from nonchalance to irritation, a frown creasing his forehead at Kei's constant whining. He let out an exasperated sigh. "You're like a child sometimes, you know that? Stop it."

Kei's pouting persisted, his lower lip sticking out in a childish display of disappointment. "But it's true! Mag e-enjoy ka do'n!" he protested, his voice rising in pitch. "I really want you to come with me!"