Chased (BS#4)

O-Out

CLARINE shivered at the agonizing distance between their lips. Nose touching. Shared breathing. Not taking into mind that her other hand remained clasped tightly with his.

She shut her eyes tight and traced any remaining bricks of sanity left, just so she wouldn't close that distance and kiss him with her all might. 

"We shouldn't." He finally repeated, now clearer. He back away. Good graces he did, cause heaven knows, she won't be able to.

Her eyes fluttered open. Naiwan siyang nakatunganga sa harap ng binata. His back has already returned to the chair. He looked tired and very stressed.

"Clar," He swallowed. "Leave, please..." Lumuwag ang pagkakahawak ng binata sa kamay niya.

Tila nabuhusan ng malamig na tubig si Clarine. Napakurap-kurap siya't mabilis na itinayo ang sarili palayo rito. Ni hindi niya magawang tingnan ito. "Y-yeah. I, I should go," nanginginig na wika niya. Hindi na tinapunan ng huling sulyap, basta na lamang tinalikuran ito at nagkukumahog na lumabas ng pinto.

Diretso ang tungo ni Clarine sa guestroom. Pagod siyang napasandal sa nakasarang pinto. Dama ang mabilis na tahip ng dibdib. Mariin siyang napapikit at minura ang sarili. What the fuck is wrong with her? Hindi naman siya ganito rati?

She noticed how she was taking in air in sharp and fast breathing. She ran her fingers through her hair and pulled them frustratingly. What was she doing back there?! She should have just leap out of his lap! Or pushed him! Hindi iyong para siyang munting bata na nag-aabang ng premyong ice cream!

She was still in her damped swimwear underneath the robe. Kung anu-ano pa ang ginawa niya sa binata. Nakakahiya!

As a guest and as a woman, she could have acted more modest! 

He must be so mad. Disappointed. Disgusted. And really, really, mad. Not like it's a mystery to her. And definitely not a surprise on her part.

No wonder he wants her out.

Maybe, they could just forget and move on? Or pretend, at least. Damn. Aren't they pretending already? All they do is pretend. 

Bullshit, isn't?

She focused on her breathing to calm herself. Maybe more rational thoughts would come to mind. It's fine. She can solve this. Things might not be that worse as it seem. Maybe.

Napangiwi siya. Aminado sa sariling kasalanan niya iyon. If things become awkward, no one should be blamed but her.

Nang medyo kumalma saka lang niya napansin ang matigas na bagay na tumutusok sa palad niya. She took her hand out of her hair. Bumungad sa mga mata niya ang pangunahing suspek ng krimen. Pangunahing suspek dahil siya ang kasabwat.

The keyhouse.

Naihilamos niya ang kabilang palad sa mukha. Right. There's no way she would take it with her. Lalo pa't mas lalo na siyang nakumbinseng huwag nang bumalik sa villa, simula bukas.

Tinungo niya ang cabinet kung saan nakatago ang tatlong set ng damit na dinala niya roon, pamalit. Those were intended for change after swimming. Sinikop niya ang mga damit at sinubukang isilid sa di kalakihang sling bag. But the bag already contained her used clothes sealed on a plastic bag.

She sighed in defeat. 

May sasakyan naman so...

Kinuha niya ang isang pares na pamalit kasama ng underwear. Walang built-in bathroom sa guestroom kaya't kailangan niyang magtungo sa common bathroom. Mabuti na lamang ay nasa taas pa ang library kaya't malabong madaanan niya ang silid. Walang oras siyang sinayang at madaling naligo at nagbihis.