With a heavy head, I woke up. Masyadong matindi ang liwanag mula sa labas. Nangangapa pa ako at ginigising pa ang sarili mula sa pagkakahimbing ng maalala na hindi ako mag-isa kagabi. Agad akong napaupo mula sa pagkakahiga at nilingon ang lalaking nasa tabi ko.
He lay face down, his broad back exposed, showcasing the scratches I left on him. The sight made me grin, remembering how he got them. He even called it a masterpiece, something I had crafted just for him. A remembrance, I must add.
But seriously, he can't be seen by the elders going out of this room— my room to be exact! Ano na lang ang sasabihin nila tungkol sa boyfriend ko? Baka mamaya ay maging masama kaagad ang reputasyon niya ni hindi ko pa siya formal na naipapakilala. I've been stalling time instead of just telling them that he is in fact my boyfriend.
Pero kasi... ayoko pa. Nananaig sa aking pakiramdam na hindi pa ito ang tamang oras. Alam kong hindi na ako bata, hindi na kami bata para higpitan at pigilan pa nila sa kagustuhan namin but I want it to be as perfect as it can be when the time comes and I finally introduce him.
"Akio, fuck! Wake up! Gusto mo bang mahuli tayo rito?"
He stirred in his sleep. Ang kamay ay kinamot ang likod niyang pinalo ko, "Huh? What is it?"
"Geez, wake up will you!?" mahina ngunit mariin kong angil sa kanya.
"Okay, okay. Calm down, missy. I am wide awake already."
Ngumiwi siya ng makita ko. Anong problema niya? Do I look ugly in his eyes? Alam kong kakagising ko lang, but he doesn't have to look at me like that.
I scoff, "Panget ba ako?"
"Huh? Where did that come from? If you're trying to trap me, no, this won't work." iling niya. Nauna nang tumayo sa akin at dumiretso sa bathroom ko.
I bit my lips, trying not to scream in annoyance. Hinagis ko ang unan sa pinto ng biglang bumukas itong muli. Saktong tumama sa mukha ng hapon na kakalabas lang. It was a mistake, and I didn't mean it.
I mean, I threw it intentionally but it wasn't on my list to throw it right on his face.
I noticed him heaving a sigh, looking at me in confusion.
"What was tha—"
"I didn't mean too!"
Naupo ako sa gilid at hindi mapigilang mairita sa sariling kagagawan. It's my fault, I raked my fingers through my hair, unable to suppress the emotions that had been messing with me for God knows how long.
"I was just..."
Masyado na akong nagiging emotional, it's probably the hormones.
"Hey!," mabilis na hinablot ni Akio ang kamay ko. "Stop it, I believe you. No need to hurt yourself when you're frustrated. I get it."
He knelt in front of me, tilting his head to meet my gaze. His hand touches mine, assuring me from the burst of emotions inside me.
"Sorry ang babaw ko," I bit my lower lip. "Ayoko muna kasing sabihin ang tungkol sa atin sa kanila, clearly not the right time. You slept here, what would they think of you?" my brows furrowed in worry.
Hinawakan niya ako sa magkabilang balikat at nginitian. "Understood, hmm? We'll move at your own pace, we're together on this so don't stress yourself out alone."
Tumango ako sa kaniya at inalis ang patak ng luha sa gilid ng aking mata. He helped me fix myself, his hand running on my unruly hair, putting them in place. Sabay kaming bumuntong hininga at nagkatinginan, natawa kami parehas dahil rito.
Tinapik niya ang likod ko ng marahan. "Come on, clean up and go out. Be my look out before I follow you outside."
I tiptoed my way outside, ignoring the thumping in my heart not wanting to get caught sneaking my boyfriend to my own room.
YOU ARE READING
Dancing with the Devil
عاطفيةWhat happens when a one-night drunken mistake turns into a series of unavoidable rendezvous? Party, tequila and lime, and nights full of neon lights-that's how Maia Camryn Pelaez life goes. Student-entrepreneur by day and wild-child by night, she kn...
