Sugarcoated Karma

Chapter 9

Boyfriend

Dahil ang usapan ay susunduin na lang ako ni Knight, hindi ko na nilinis pa ang Modena ko. Imbis ay pagkatapos tanggihan ang gustong mangyari ni Titus, umakyat na ako agad ng kwarto para maglinis at mag-ayos ng sarili. Naalala ko tuloy ang huling usapan namin kanina. Muntik ko na naman siyang masuntok na mukha dahil sa inis.

"Does your dad know about this hobby of yours?" Biglang tanong niya nang hindi ko binigay ang hinihingi niyang impormasyon.

"No, he doesn't. Bakit? Isusumbong mo ako?" I asked playfully.

As if that would be a problem. Kung malaman man ni Papa, panigurado'y makakarinig lang ako ng kaonting litanya pero hindi niya rin naman ako pipigilan dahil alam niya sa sarili niyang hindi niya 'yon kaya. Maigsing sermon lang ang p'wedeng mangyari dahil bukod sa wala siyang oras dahil abala sa trabaho, hindi rin siya gano'n kainteresado sa buhay ko.

"That's not really a bad idea..." He equaled my smug expression.

I raised an eyebrow at him. He really thinks he can play with me, huh?

"Have a good time talking to a co-fucker, then." Tumawa ako at pinanood kung paano nabura ang kayabangan sa mukha niya.

Racing is an occasional hobby of mine that I can't completely let go of. Kung tutuusin, p'wede ko namang i-reject ang mga anyayang natatanggap gaya ngayon pero hindi ko ginagawa.

I race cars because it is one of the things that makes me feel good about living. My heart beats so fast from excitement whenever I maneuver the steering wheel, and the empty track clears my mind. It gives me... a greater sense of control over my life.

"Nice fit..." 

I looked at Knight through the mirror, where I am currently standing. Wearing a sleeveless mesh jersey crop top, tight cobalt-colored leather pants, and black leather boots, I almost nodded in response to his compliment. This isn't my typical racewear, but it does... look nice on me.

"Tara na?" Tanong ko bago dinampot ang duffel bag na naglalaman ng damit na pamalit ko mamaya kung sakaling may magiging lakad pa pagkatapos ng karera. 

"We still have time. You can still finish your routine, Vei." Knight smirked as his eyes went down my body, then back to my face. 

It made me a bit uncomfortable. His gaze, in addition to the fact that he really went up to my room to get me. Nasanay din kasi ako na hanggang sala lang siya, gaya ng iba kong mga kaibigan tuwing pumupunta rito. I shouldn't make a big deal out of it though, I guess?

"Tapos na ako. We can go..." 

Sa sasakyan niya ay hindi matigil-tigil ang pagvibrate ng cellphone ko dahil sa sunud-sunod na tawag at messages. Isang beses kong tinignan 'yon sa gitna ng pag-uusap namin ni Knight at nakitang galing kay Titus lahat. Kanina pa siya nambubulabog!

Titus:

What are you doing right now?

Titus:

Are you busy? You're not answering my calls.

Titus: 

I just got the list of drag races happening within and outside the city tonight. 

Titus:

Is it the one from Henbridge? Do'n nakalista ang lalaking nabanggit mo.

Halos lumuwa ang mata ko sa huling nabasa. Paano siya nakakuha ng listahan? At hindi lang dito kundi pati rin ng mga karerang mangyayari sa ibang bayan? Knowing that almost all attendees are private people, how has he managed to get even the guest lists?