SaiLem Three {DANGER: I'm Falling For You}

29. Deciding Game

Cyann

“Hey you,” I softly call her attention as she’s tidying up the table. Katatapos lang naming magbrunch.

“O?” Clementine looks at me with an eyebrow cocked.

“Kuya Vlad and Ate Max are going to pick you up for the game later, okay?” I remind her as I adjust the straps of my duffel bag.

And as I expected, she reacts negatively. “Hala! Inabala mo pa sila! Kaya ko naming pumunta dun mag-isa.”

I roll my eyes at her knowing that she would surely take the train or bus to Pasay. Somehow, the thought of her having to elbow her way just to get on the vehicle is not very appealing. “’Wag ka nang makulit. They’re happy to do so.”

Tinignan niya ako ng masama before she places the dishes on the sink.

And I feel like I have to defend myself. “What? I don’t want the girl I like to—“

“Oo na! Oo na!” she cuts me in midsentence. “Sasabay na po ako kila Kuya Vlad,” she repeats and I chuckle at how her cheeks turn the color of pink bago siya humarap sa sink.

I love making her blush.

Reaching for the laces of my shoes and tightening them, I smile at an idea. “Clementine, can I ask you a question?”

“Nagtatanong ka na,” she nonchalantly answers, her back facing me dahil nagsimula na siyang maghugas ng pinggan.

I love seeing her profile from the back, too. Especially when she’s wearing her loose pajamas topped with a big shirt with her hair loosely tied in a ponytail. She appears to be most comfortable and laid-back in that form—like a very able housewife.

Standing up from the sofa, I point my right foot to the floor and make circles to exercise my ankle. “If I lead the Maroons to a win tonight…” I trail off as I do the same routine with my left foot, “…sasagutin mo ba ako?”

There is a clattering of dishes and I immediately rush to her side to see if she’s hurt. Thankfully, dumulas lang ‘yungplate sa kamay niya.

Coolly, she resumes soaping the dishes with the sponge. Pero it’s nice dahil hindi niya ako nilayuan tulad ng dati. “O, anyare naman sa ‘yo? Akala ko ba hindi mo ako pipiliting sagutin ka?” She tries to be calm but I catch a hint of queasiness in her voice.

“I won’t.” I grin at her nung tumaas na naman ang kilay niya. “Nagtatanong lang. Who knows, baka madulas ka, hahaha.” Upon saying that, winisikan niya ako ng tubig sa mukha.

“Nadulas na nga diba? ‘Yung pinggan? Buti nga ‘di nabasag eh. Ikaw… kung anu-ano talaga ang nalalaman mo,” she softly mutters but I see her stopping a grin that’s creeping up her face.

I lean against the table behind her. “Eto na lang—“

“Ayusin mo ‘yang tanong mo kung ayaw mong padulasin ko ‘tong plato sa mukha mo,” she threatens.

“Can I get a good luck kiss?”

The way she looks back just to glare at me is lovely just the same. “Magpahalik ka na lang sa mga babae mo,” she mutters.

Hindi ko tuloy alam if she’s jealous or just testing me. “Ikaw nga lang ang gusto ko—“

“AAAAHHH! TAMA NA!!!”She shrieks at nagpapadyak pa like she’s throwing tantrums. Ayaw niya talagang naririnig everytime I reaffirm that I like her. But what can I do? I’m a very honest person. “’Di ka pa ba aalis?! ‘Di ba maaga angcall time niyo?”