Splitting Hairs

Twenty Three

I woke up with a start. I stretched my arms. Disoriented, my left arm jabbed something. Someone groaned beside me. Parang slow motion na unti-unti akong tumingin sa gilid ko. My eyes grew wide. Ine-expect ko bang nandun si Sadako? Oh great.

I was like... 'was I dreaming?'

'Di ba merong seven days in a week? Nagkamali ba ako ng bilang? Pang fifth day pa lang ngayon ah! Maybe he wasn't Julian! A twin? I shook my head rapidly. He looked a bit disoriented. He opened one good eye. Tapos pumikit ulit.

"Julian." I whispered.

He grunted.

"Huy, Jules..."

Tinalikuran niya 'ko! Oh-kay. But... but hey I had this dream last night. He was whispering what seemed like love words to me. Ayt. Sabi ko na nga ba, kabaligtaran ang nangyayari sa totoong buhay. I pouted. Tapos humarap ulit siya sa 'kin. Before I knew it, his arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me closer. Napasubsob ako sa dibdib niya. And my! His chest was uncovered. Napatingala ako sa kanya. He had an eight o'clock stubbles about his cheeks. Goodness, I thought men with stubbles looked messy before. Now, Julian changed the word messy to SEXY. Oooh lala.

Was this sexy time?

I was really dreaming! Oh, God. Kukurutin ko sana 'yung braso ko. Tapos nakita ko 'yung biceps ni Julian. I slowly smiled. Why not?

I pinched him slowly and ever so painfully. Parang kagat lang 'yun ng langgam.

"Damn, what the—"

Confirmed. Si Julian nga! Nagsasalubong ang mga kilay nito. Tapos 'yung tingin na 'yun yung para akong hinuhubaran?

"Are you insane?" Inis na lumayo siya sa 'kin. I winced. Hinuhubaran? More like sinusunog.

"Nanggigil lang naman ako," I pouted.

He regarded me with incredulity. Na para bang nababaliw na 'ko! Tapos tumayo na siya na parang walang pakialam. Uh-oh.

"What!" Inis niyang tanong habang hinahanap 'yung jeans niya! Yes. Jeans.

I gulped. Why couldn't I close my eyes?

"Why... do... you have no clothes on?"

Not a stitch!

A slow smile cracked about his lips. Oh, God Jeannie look elsewhere but him! Tingin sa ceiling. Tingin sa lampshade. Tingin sa flooring. Sa kama. But not at him. I swore I blushed to the roots of my hair. Hello? It was daytime! Tapos tumatagos pa 'yung sinag ng araw mula sa sliding door. Kahit na ba nakita ko na siya in birthsuit no. Iba pa din yung ganitong dilat na dilat ako at titig na titig.

"Who are you asking, me or the bed?"

I looked him in the eyes. Not lower Jeannie! But hey, I was a bit tempted. Just a bit.

"Why... do... you have no clothes on?" I parroted. Grabe magkaka-stiff neck ata ako kakatingala sa kanya. Naninigas na 'yung leeg ko.

He planted his hands on his hips. Na para bang walang pakialam. Why, men had no modesty!

"I slept in my birth suit."

As in... nada? Meaning, if I would be living with him forever... I couldn't imagine.

"I know... you want me now Jeannie. But I'm tired. I lacked sleep. Kailangan ko pang pumasok." He said forlornly. Ang kapal! I shrieked when he pulled my feet from the bed. Para kaming naghahabulan sa maliit na kama. Hinila niya talaga ako. I clutched the headboard. Tapos nagtititili ako.

He tickled me on each side. Grabe, malakas kaya kiliti ko. He then hugged me and carried me to the bathroom. Tumalikod ako sa kanya ng tumayo na siya sa harap ng salamin. I hated him! Hindi na siya nahiya sa ayos niya. He chuckled.