S U A D E L A

14

Luan put a glass of water in front of Suadela and sat next to her on the couch. She didn't take the glass and just looked at it.

Without saying anything, Luan leaned on the couch and crossed his arms on his chest.

"Castor cheated on me." Suadela said abruptly, staring ahead.

Luan's brow arched but remained silent.

Nagkibit-balikat si Suadela at kumibot ang gilid ng kanyang bibig, "Nakakaloko lang. Cheating na nangyari sa loob ng cheating. Like wow, nasikmura niya yun?"

Still silent, Luan looked at the glass of water that he put on the center table. It's already sweating.

"Sex sex lang talaga ang lahat para sa mga lalaki," Suadela stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Don't generalize. There are men who aren't just after that."

"Huh, katulad mo?" si Suadela at nilingon si Luan habang nakataas ang isang kilay. Nanghahamon ang tono at tingin.

Tinitigan rin ni Luan ang dalaga. Alam niyang pinipilit lang nitong maging ayos. Hindi niya ito dapat patulan.

Bumuntong-hininga siya at tumayo. "Dito ka na magpalipas ng magdamag. Sa kwarto ka na." Pag-iwas niya at paalis na sana nang may maalala.

"Ah, do you happen to have extra clothes with you? Please, take a shower and change your clothes first before going inside the room."

Suadela just gave him a weird look.

"Bakit?" si Luan.

"Ganyan ka ba talaga?"

"What?"

"You don't pry. You don't judge but you also don't symphatize. Wala kang pake."

"Then, do you want me to care about you?"

Nagkibit-balikat si Suadela at sumandal sa headrest ng couch, pumikit. Bahagyang nakaawang ang mga labi niya habang namumula ang ilong, "dito nalang ako sa labas."

Kumunot-noo si Luan.

"Aalis din ako agad pag may liwanag na," si Suadela na nanatiling nakapikit. "Isa pa, tinatamad na kong magshower at magpalit ng damit."

"Fine," Luan turned his back and went to his room. After a few minutes, he came back with a pillow and blanket.

"Salamat, master." Si Suadela na kinuha ang mga inabot ng binata at agad na humiga.

"Don't call me that." Nakabusangot na sabi ni Luan. Napansin niyang iyon ang tawag nito kay Sen kapag inuuto nito ang huli.

Suadela said nothing and closed her eyes.

Naiiling naman na iniwan ito ni Luan ngunit tumigil matapos ang ilang hakbang at lumingon.

"Don't think about it and try to catch a wink."

Suadela opened her eyes and watched his back.

Bago pa makapasok ng kwarto ay muling itong tumigil at lumingon sakanya. Bahagya pa itong nagitla nang makitang nakatingin siya.

"Bakit?" si Suadela.

"A- ayaw mo talaga sa kwarto?"

"Ayokong magshower." Tumaas ang sulok ng bibig ni Suadela, "wag mong sabihing affected ka sa sinabi kong wala kang pake?"

"I just know how uncomfortable it is there." He sighed. "Sige na nga. Pwede ka na matulog sa kwarto kahit hindi ka magshower at palit ng damit."

Suadela gave Luan a lopsided grin. She was wrong. Luan might not openly show it but he cares.