PLAYED BY THE TUTOR

H12

H12

Stay

Ngayon ko lang napansin. He's still wearing his suit. His eyes were bloodshot and he looked tired. Dumiretso ata sya dito pagkagaling sa airport. I held his hand on my face and put it down. I'm sorry, Finnick.

"You should go home," sabi ko dito.

He sighed. Tumayo ito ng maayos saka tumango. "We'll talk again tomorrow, okay? You should rest for now. I'll go now, flower."

Tumango na lamang ako at pinanood sya. He looked like he doesn't wanna go home. Naglakad na ito palabas sa condo ko at sinara ang pintuan. Kaagad na nanghina ang mga tuhod ko.

This can't keep on going. I have to think of ways to push him away. People who don't feel my pain might think that I'm overreacting but they just doesn't understand. The horror and fear of feeling something you haven't moved on from.

I texted Kianna and decided to meet with her tomorrow. I have to keep myself preoccupied and busy. Besides, Kianna was a business major and she managed their business before. Maybe she can teach me things that Finnick teaches me.

I got up early the next day. Naghanda ako dahil magkikita kame ni Kianna sa isang restaurant. We're gonna meet up for brunch. I wore a sleeveless pink top and low waist jeans. I put on a light make up and I grabbed my purse before heading out. 

Mabilis akong nakarating sa restaurant. I sat on a two chair table at duon na lamang nag antay kay Kianna. I ordered juice while waiting for her. Minessage ko na sya na nandito na ako at nag bukas muna ng instagram para mag check ng mga message. 

There was a message from slater asking me to watch his basketball game again and I agreed to come. Tutal ay masaya naman ang manood ng live basketball sa loob ng arena. Tuunog ang cellphone ko at nakita ang mensahe ni Kianna. 

Kianna:

Fleu, I'm sorry something urgent came up. I can't come. I'll make it up to you next time. Promise!

I sighed and replied that it's okay. Gusto ko lang naman talagang iwasan si Finnick. Maybe I can just stroll around today and shop. I was about to leave the restaurant when I saw Finnick standing in front of me! Why is he here? How did he find me?!

"Finnick..." mahina ang bulong ng boses ko. 

He looked so cold and serious. Kunot ang mga noo neto at tila ba nahihirapan. He grabbed my arm and started walking towards the door without saying anything.

"San tayo pupunta?" tanong ko rito.

Hindi ito sumagot at hinatak ako papunta sa sasakyan nya. 

"Finnick, my car!" angal ko rito.

He just looked at me coldly and opened his car door for me. Naka sibangot akong pumasok sa kotse nya. Pakiramdam ko ay ihahagis ako neto papasok sa kotse nya kungdi ako papasok. He's a full ass grown man and I'm petite. Malamang kayang kaya nya akong buhatin.

Pumasok ito sa loob at mabilis na pinaharurot ang kotse nya. It was cold and quiet the whole ride. Pakiramdam ko ay nasa amerika ako sa lamig ng aircon at lamig nya. Is he mad at me? Pumunta ba sya sa condo kanina? Did he notice that I'm avoiding him?

I sighed. Napatingin ako sa kalsada at napansing papunta ito sa bahay nya. Kumalabog ang dibdib ko at mas lalo lamang akong kinabahan. I don't wanna talk to him! Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko. I don't even know how to face him! 

Nang makarating kame sa bahay nya ay ipinark nya ang kotse nya at pinagbuksan ako ng pintuan bago dire diretsong pumasok sa loob. I grabbed my purse and followed him inside. Naupo ako sa sala at inantay sya duon. 

Napatayo ako bigla pag balik nya sa sala. Tinanggal neto ang coat nya at natira ang puting polo na nakabukas ang ilang butones sa taas. Suot suot nya ang salamin nya at medyo magulo ang buhok. 

"Why did you bring me here?" tanong ko rito.

Lumakad sya papalapit sa akin. Umupo ito sa malapit sa inupuan ko kanina at tumingin sa akin.

"I told you we'll talk. You're not leaving my house until you tell me what's bothering you,"

Galit akong bumaling dito. "And who are you to tell me that? You're just my tutor, Finnick!"

Inabot neto ang braso ko at hinatak ako paupo sa mga binti nya. Napaupo ako sa binti neto patagilid. I was about to stand up but he embraced my waist tightly. 

"We were fine before I left, what changed?" nagsusumamo na ang boses neto hindi katulad kanina na malamig. "Hmmm? Tell me, flower." mas humigpit ang yakap neto sa akin. 

My heart banged wildly inside my chest I feel like it's coming out. I don't even know what to say anymore. Wala naman talaga syang ginawang mali. It's just me who is confused and scared. Yumuko na lamang ako at pinaglaruan ang kamay ko. 

His other hand caressed my legs. Sinandal neto ang ulo nya sa balikat ko. Malalim ang pag hinga neto. "Please tell me what's wrong so I can fix it,"

I bit my lower lips. May kung anong kumurot sa puso ko. I don't even know if he likes me or what.  Naramdaman ko ang panginginig ng mga labi ko. It felt so cold and dull.

Umakyat ang mga kamay neto sa braso ko at marahang hinimas iyon. He found his way to my face and gently held my cheek. Hinarap neto ang mukha ko sa kanya. He looked so handsome in his glasses right now.  

Tinitigan neto ang mukha ko na para bang ang tagal tagal nya akong hindi nakita. He caressed my cheek then my lower lip. Bumaba ang tingin neto sa labi ko. He licked hi slower lip and it became instantly red. 

"Can't you just stay with me? Hmm?" malambing ang boses neto. "I like you, flower... Let me take care of you," 

Malakas na kumalabog ang dibdib ko. What is he talking about? He likes me? Why? I was busy thinking about why he likes me when he dipped in for a kiss. I was left breathless and dumbfounded. Nanatiling nakaawang ang mga labi ko nang itigil nya ang halik. He looked at my eyes as if he was staring at my soul. 

"Why do you like me?" nanginig ang boses ko.

He gently smiled. "Who wouldn't, flower? You're smart, beautiful, kind hearted... but that's not the only reason. Some things are just hard to explain,"

Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko nang maramdaman ang tibok neto. 

"You don't like that boy right?" he asked with a hint of annoyance in his voice. 

Yumuko ako at umiling.

He nodded. "Good,"

He reached for my chin and kissed my lips again. I felt like I was floating because of happiness. It felt like someone gave me a candy when I was young. His other hand embraced me tightly while the other was gently caressing my neck. 

"Will you still see that boy?" he asked and kissed my neck.

Napapikit ako. "He's my friend,"

He groaned. "Fine but stop giving him false hope,"

Tumango ako.  Tumigil ito sa paghalik sa akin at mabilis akong napadilat. He placed his chin on my shoulder and looked at me.

"Are we good now?" he asked.

Ngumuso ako. Hindi alam ang sasabihin at nahihiya. He smiled and embraced me.

"Thank you, flower..."

I smiled too. 

To be continued...