Double Take

Chapter 24

Expert

The silence that engulfed the two of us was oppressive. Very far from the harsh and loud beating of my heart. I'm afraid he could hear it as well since I was still holding his wrist close to me.

Gusto kong kutusan ang sarili. Ang tapang-tapang ko kanina, pero ngayon, pakiramdam ko anumang oras ay aatakehin ako ng nerbiyos habang naghihintay sa magiging hatol niya.

Ano?

Sasapakin niya ba ako? Mumurahin?

O nagustuhan niya ba? Kahit konti?

Ipapatapon niya na ba ako sa kangkungan?

Tangina naman... Ang hirap naman nito.

Napalunok ako nang bahagya siyang gumalaw. Itinukod niya ang isang kamay sa sandalan ng sofa para suportahan ang sarili at lagyan ng maayos na distansya ang pagitan namin. Despite his movement, his gaze didn't leave mine even for a second.

And because I was sitting on the sofa, with him hovering at me while standing, I felt like a cornered guilty thief right now. Ni hindi na ako makangiti sa labis na nerbiyos. Gusto kong bawiin ang kamay na nakahawak sa kanya pero natatakot akong gumawa ng kahit konting kilos.

But then, a small smirk slowly played on his lips. Somehow, it erased almost half of my worries.

He wasn't offended!

"Matamis huh?" The slight mockery in his tone was very evident. "I thought it was tasteless?" he asked, obviously talking about the damn watermelon.

Pakiramdam ko ay para akong binagsakan ng langit at lupa.

Gago, seryoso ba siya?

Is he really gonna play innocent after that kiss?

My lips protruded as I waited for his next words. Ang mga mata ko ay nanatiling nakatuon sa kanya, naghihintay. I watched him with indulgence mixed with faint playfulness. Sige, Rael. If that's what you want then...

"Sudden change of mind?" dagdag niya sa naunang tanong.

"Ang alin?" Pagmamaang-maangan ko rin, sinasakyan ang kalokohan niya. He glared at me because of it. Napangisi ako. Gotcha.

From firmly holding his wrist, I renewed my hold on him. Mas magaan ngayon, wala pa ring balak na bitawan siya. But if he would pull away, I will surely let him go.

But he didn't.

Damn, he didn't.

"If you're talking about the watermelon, then, for me it was still tasteless... Pero kung 'yong halik-"

He shut me up by forcing the watermelon into my mouth. At dahil ayoko namang mabilaukan, wala akong choice kundi ang kumagat na lang at nguyain iyon.

He waited for me to finish that one bite. Nang matapos ako ay kaagad siyang nagsalita, atat na atat.

"Ano? Matabang?"

I licked my lips, tasting the remnants of its juice. My brows slightly knitted as I watched him wait for my answer. Why does it feel like he's gonna kill me if I say no?

Hindi ako kaagad nakapagsalita kaya nagpatuloy siya.

"Nakalimutan mo na kaagad ang lasa? Try to remember it. Or do you want to take another bite?"

I shook my head. "Lasang tubig..."

"Pinagloloko mo ba ako?" Agarang reklamo niya.

Sinubukan kong alalahanin ang lasa pero wala talaga. Siya yata itong pinagtitripan ako, e. Well, meron akong naaalala pero hindi 'yong pakwan. Hindi nga lang ako sigurado kung interesado siyang malaman pa.