EVERY KISS

Chapter 9

'You're the only exception.'

I wondered if he knew how much I hurt. How much I wanted to believe him. But I couldn't shake the feeling that I was just a distraction, a temporary escape from his commitment.

I felt like I was caught in a web of deceit. He said I was the only one, but what about his girlfriend? Didn't she deserve his loyalty? I couldn't help but wonder if I was just a secret indulgence, a forbidden pleasure. My heart ached with guilt and longing.

Maybe, just maybe, his words were true. I wanted to believe him, to trust that he saw something real in me. But vulnerability terrified me. What if I opened up, only to get hurt?

"Kain na. May lakad ta'yo." Jax said.

"Where?" I asked.

"Sa bayan. Pupunta tayo sa bayan." He answered.

"Anong gagawin natin dun?" I asked again.

"Basta, kumain ka na. Dapat maaga tayo roon para maaga din tayong makauwi. Tsaka, kaunti lang ang mga sasakyan kapag tanghali na tayo pupunta." He answered.

Dali-dali na akong pumunta sa kusina. There's only one plate left on the table. I think it's for me.

Binuksan ko ang rice cooker at dali-dali ng kuha ang kanin. Si Jax naman ay ininit ang ulam ko sa microwave dahil kanina pa daw ito malamig dahil kanina pa niya ito niluto.

Vegetables ulit. It called Sari-sari. It's a Filipino dish na sari-saring gulay ang nilagay nito at sinabawan ng kaunti at nilagyan ng kakaunting karne. Sometimes hindi karne ang nilalagay ni Jax kundi Spicy Sardines. It's also my first time eating sardines in that time, i can't believe that it tastes good. Masarap.

Matapos na akong maligo ta nagsuot lang ako ng Long skirt and white tank top at pinaresan ng flat sandals. I also clip may long brown hair using my Bini Clip.

"Sa bayan tayo pupunta. Hindi sa beach o sa simbahan." Sabi niya habang nakatitig sa suot ko.

"Well, dapat ka ngang nagpasalamat no. Medyo banal na yung suot ko. Hindi ako nag suot ng revealing clothes. I used to wear like that pa naman whenever i go out." I said and raised my left eyebrow.

"Pfft. Feeling ka naman, hindi naman maganda ang katawan mo." He said sounded like a cow.

"Wow! What a dumb! Ang kapal naman ng mukha mo para sabihin 'yan, parang di ka natigasan sa'kin ah!" Singhal ko at kinurot ang balikat niya.

Hindi lang siya umimik.

As if. I even admire my body. Pinaghirapan kong nakamit ang ganitong klaseng katawan. Saksi si Madonna sa paghihirap kong yun.

Ang kapal ng mukha niyang sabihin sa akin yun no. Tinigasan nga siya nung nakita niya akong maligo na naka swimsuit sa ilog e.

"Matagal pa ba to?" Tanong ko kay Jax.

Nasa kalsada kami ngayon at nag hihintay ng Jeep. I even told him na mag trycicle nalang dahil hindi ako sanay sa Jeep, but he refuse. Wala dawng trycicle na dadaan sa mga oras na to. Puro jeep lang daw. Tsaka mas makakasave ka raw sa jeep tapos mabilis ka pang makaabot.

I even remember the first time na sumakay ako ng jeep. It's worst. Unang apak ko pa lang sa jeep ay amoy na amoy ko na ang baho ng kili-kili. As if, hindi man lang talaga nakapag deodorant?

Kaya pala nakatakip ang mga ilong ng mga pasahero in that time kasi mabaho.

Uminit na nga yung ulo ko dun kasi hindi ako sinundo ng driver namin dahil merong emergency meeting si Daddy. Dumagdag pa yong mabahong  amoy ng mga tao sa jeep.